Is there an entrance exam for the Master of Arts in Education program?
No. Entrance exams, such as the GRE, are not required.

What are the admission requirements?
Admission requirements include an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, earned with at least a 2.75 grade point average. If your grade point average is below 2.75, or is unavailable, you may be offered admission with provisional status. A teaching license is not required to enter the program, and the program does not lead to licensure.

How long will it take to complete my degree?
Students typically complete coursework in 18-24 months. Degree requirements must be met within 5 years.

How many transfer credits does Saint Mary’s University allow?
A maximum of 6 graduate semester credits may be accepted if they are

• germane to the field of education
• earned from an accredited university
• earned not more than 10 years prior to beginning a Saint Mary's University graduate program
• recommended for transfer credit by the site coordinator, and approved by the academic dean.

Is financial aid available?
Yes. Financial aid programs available to qualified graduate students at Saint Mary's University include Guaranteed Student Loan, SLS Loan and the Student Educational Loan Fund (SELF).

When do classes meet?
Classes meet in the late afternoon and into the evening one night during the week of the semester and on a few Saturdays.

Where do classes meet?
Classes usually meet in educational sites convenient to the students. We have cohorts across the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area and in greater Minnesota.

Why a cohort?
Your cohort of 15-20 goes through the program together, providing a friendly, supportive learning environment. You gain a broader perspective on educational issues by learning with cohort members of different backgrounds who teach students of all ages.

When can I start the program?
You can apply now online or by calling the Twin City Admission Office and begin classes in any one of the three semesters, depending upon the availability of a cohort in your preferred area. For semester start and end dates, click here to view the academic calendar.

Where do I purchase textbooks for a class?
Students purchase their texts via the Missouri Book System (MBS), an affiliate of Barnes & Noble. Students will individually order their texts online, by telephone (800 number), or by U.S. mail. Only students taking classes on campus at our Minneapolis site will purchase their texts at the Twin Cities Campus Barnes & Noble bookstore.

What writing style does Saint Mary's University use?
The American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines are used. These guidelines cover areas such as the content and organization of a manuscript, writing style, references, and how to prepare a manuscript for publication. APA style breaks papers up into sections, which helps you to present information clearly and also allows readers to quickly find and process the information they need.

What is a Professional Competency Portfolio?
The Professional Competency Portfolio represents a synthesis of your academic work in the Saint Mary’s Master of Arts in Education program and of your professional responsibilities as an educator. In your Professional Competency Portfolio, you demonstrate your achievement of each of the Master of Arts in Education program outcomes. The Professional Competency Portfolio is developed under the guidance of the site coordinator.

How do I obtain a transcript from Saint Mary’s University?
Submit a written request to the Registrar’s Office:
Assistant Registrar
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Twin Cities Campus
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404-4403

A $3.00 fee is charged for each transcript ordered.