Admission Information

Application materials are available electronically at http://www.salem.edu. Contact Graduate Admissions at grad.admissions@salem.edu or call the Office of Admissions at 336-721-2600 for additional assistance.

New students in the Master of Arts in Teaching program may begin in any term; new students in the MEd in School Counseling program and the Residency Licensure program begin in the fall semester. All application materials must be received by the graduate education office before any final admissions action will be taken. 

Salem offers the following graduate degrees: the Master of Education (MEd) and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Salem also offers a graduate certificate in School Counseling and Residency Licensure. See specific admission requirements below.

Admission to Pursue Selected Graduate Coursework (Visiting Student Status)

A student with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution may enroll for selected coursework at the graduate level as a non-degree or visiting student. If a non-degree student later applies to the graduate program and is accepted, credit earned on courses already taken may be applied to the degree, provided the course grade is B or better.

Application requirements for admission to selected graduate coursework include:

1. Submission of a complete application
2. Official undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts

Master of Education (MEd)

The MEd degree is offered in School Counseling (K-12). The MEd in School Counseling prepares teachers and professionals in other related fields with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required for a career in school counseling.

Application requirements for admission to the MEd programs include:

1. Submission of a complete online application, including contact information for two professional recommendations, a signed statement of adherence to the college honor code, a CPL (Candidate for Professional Licensure) form, and consent for criminal background check.
2. Submission of an official transcript from an institution accredited by an accreditor that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education or the U.S. Department of Education showing completion of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0
3. Submission of official transcript(s) of all graduate coursework
4. Submission of a writing sample as outlined on application
5. If accepted, a one-time enrollment deposit of $100 is required and will credited to the first semester’s tuition

Types of admission status for MEd programs:

1. Full: An applicant who meets all criteria for admission to the desired MEd program may be granted full admission. These requirements include the following:
   1. Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an accreditor that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education or the U.S. Department of Education at the time the credit was awarded
   2. Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or minimum graduate-level grade point average of 3.0 (minimum of 12 completed hours of graduate coursework)
   3. Relevant degrees, coursework, licensure, or work experience in specialty area for which candidate is applying
   4. Satisfactory writing sample
   5. Two professional recommendations
   6. Acceptable criminal background check
2. Conditional: If the admissions committee determines that an applicant has failed to meet any of the requirements for full admission, the committee may decide to extend the offer of conditional admission to that applicant. Conditional admission may be considered but is not limited to the following situations:
   1. Minimum undergraduate grade point average between 2.75 and 2.9
   2. Writing samples that indicate potential but demonstrate some area(s) of concern
   3. Teacher licensure in an area not related to the desired MEd field

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The MAT degree is offered in Art (K-12), Elementary Education (K-6), General Curriculum Special Education (K-12), Spanish (K-12), and Middle (6-8)/Secondary (9-12) content areas. Candidates completing Phase 1 of these programs qualify for initial (A-level) licensure; candidates qualify for master’s level (M-level) licensure and a graduate degree at the conclusion of Phase 2.

Admission to the MAT programs occurs in two phases: Phase 1: Licensure; Phase 2: Graduate Candidacy

Application requirements for admission to Phase 1, Licensure, include:

1. Submission of a complete online application, including two professional recommendations, a signed honor code, a Candidate for Professional Licensure (CPL) form, a background check, and a signed acknowledgement of field experience and internship policies.
2. Submission of an official transcript from an institution accredited by an accreditor that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education or the U.S. Department of Education showing successful completion of a baccalaureate degree
3. If accepted, a one-time enrollment deposit of $100 is required and will credited to the first semester’s tuition

Types of admission status for MAT Phase 1:

1. Full: An applicant who meets all criteria for admission to the MAT program may be granted full admission. These requirements include the following:
   1. Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an accreditor that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education or the U.S. Department of Education
   2. Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0
   3. Relevant degrees or coursework in the specialty area for which candidate is applying
   4. Two professional recommendations
   5. Acceptable criminal background check
2. Conditional: Candidates who do not meet the minimum GPA or undergraduate major/coursework requirements may request consideration for conditional admission. Candidates requesting conditional acceptance should submit the following information:
   1. Professional resume
   2. Two letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic potential or to the applicant’s potential as a teacher. Persons providing the references should not be related to the applicant
   3. A personal statement explaining applicant’s potential for success as an MAT student and as a professional educator or any extenuating circumstances which might have impacted undergraduate performance
   4. Official transcripts from graduate level coursework, if applicable

Applicants who receive conditional admission must achieve a 3.0 GPA or higher by the completion of the first six hours of graduate work completed at Salem College. Applicants who receive conditional admission with requirements for additional content coursework must complete those requirements prior to student teaching.

Upon successful completion of Phase 1, students may submit an application for admission to graduate candidacy, or Phase 2.

Application requirements for admission to Phase 2 of the MAT program include:

1. Submission of the Graduate Studies Application to enter MAT Phase 2
2. Recommendation for teacher licensure
3. Writing sample (see application for prompt and directions)

Students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the graduate program (Phase 2) may complete teacher licensure (Phase 1). However, completion of the licensure phase (Phase 1), even with an acceptable grade point average, does not automatically qualify one for admission to the graduate degree program (Phase 2). Taking courses as a special student does not automatically qualify the student to enter the graduate degree program (Phase 2).

Additional Admissions Information

A candidate who seeks to earn an initial teaching license may enter the MAT program. The College retains the right to inspect undergraduate transcripts for the appropriate breadth of liberal-arts courses for entrance to the MAT programs and the appropriate professional coursework and practicum experience for entrance to the MEd programs. Candidates may be required to pursue supplemental undergraduate coursework if deficiencies are perceived.

Notification of Admission

Each applicant will be notified in writing via email of the acceptance or rejection. Any appeal of the decision must be made in writing within ten (10) days to the director.

Transfer Credit Policy

Up to six (6) graduate semester hours may be transferred from another institution accredited by an accreditor that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education or the U.S. Department of Education at the time the credit was earned into a Salem College graduate education degree program. Official transcripts from the credit-granting institution must be submitted to the Director of Educator Preparation. Acceptance of transfer credit is subject to the approval of the program director. Transfer credit will not be given for courses with a grade lower than a B or for undergraduate courses.

Transfer Credit Appeals

Any appeal of admission or transfer credit decisions will be decided by the Graduate Education Council (GEC). Appeals must be made in writing to the Director of Educator Preparation. The Director will present the appeal to the Graduate Education Council for deliberation and will report the GEC’s decision back to the candidate.

Salem College Graduate Orientation

An orientation may be held for new graduate students prior to the beginning of the fall and spring terms. Candidates who have been accepted into the graduate program will be notified of upcoming orientation sessions. In order to obtain additional information about Salem’s programs, prospective candidates are also welcome to attend.