Step One – Know…..

Here’s a “checklist” of information you’ll need when you apply.

01. WSU Graduate School general application requirements (including application fee).
once in GradCAS search for Washington State University (program name)

02. Choose your Endorsement Area. Enter this information with your application.

03. Download the Professional and/or Volunteer Experiences form. List any experiences relevant to teaching and learning, once complete upload with your application. (Word or PDF)

04. Current resume.

05. Application Essays. The essays below are an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to the faculty who will review your application. If you have demonstrated special leadership or initiative, be sure to mention that in your responses.

If applying to the Pullman, Spokane and TriCities campuses MIT (Elementary or Secondary):

(a) Why do you want to be a teacher? Describe your commitment to the teaching profession and/or children. Recommended length: 250 words.
(b) How have you contributed to the learning or development of others? This might include formal or informal learning, along with social and community organizations. Recommended length: 250 words.
(c) Describe an experience with an individual (or community) that was different from you. How did this experience change or alter your perceptions? Recommended length: 250 words.

If applying to the Vancouver Campus – MIT Secondary only – Questions:

(a) Personal commitment to children and teaching. Describe your commitment to children and the teaching profession in a program with an emphasis on social justice. In this statement, focus on your experience working (ideally) in a public, secular setting with a range of students, including children with special needs and diverse backgrounds and languages. Describe your experiences demonstrating initiative, leadership, and communication skills.
(b) Relevant experiences: Describe and reflect on an experience you have had with children of special needs and/or diverse backgrounds. First, describe the situation and setting. Next, discuss how you viewed the child or children in this situation and how you reflected on it. Finally, describe the outcome of this experience. In retrospect, consider what you might change if you were able to engage in this situation again.

If applying to the Vancouver Campus – MIT Elementary only – Questions:

(a) Personal commitment to teaching. Describe your personal commitment to children and the teaching profession. Include in your response details about your experiences with children and your personal qualities that demonstrate your ability to make a significant contribution to the teaching profession
(b) Experiences with educational systems, social service agencies, and/or community agencies. Reflect on and discuss your experiences as a learner when working in educational systems and other learning environments (social service agencies and/or community agencies). Focus on what you discovered about yourself as a learner and future teacher.​
(c) Statement # 3: Experiences with diverse people, perspectives, and/or contexts. Describe one significant experience that you have had with individuals who are different than yourself; describe this difference and why you felt it to be important. Discuss what this experience taught you about diversity and what the implications might be for you as a future teacher.​
(d) Experiences demonstrating leadership, communication skills and initiative. Describe experiences that have influenced or enhanced your communication skills, leadership skills, and initiative. Reflect on these skills and how they will influence your ability to be an exceptional teacher. While these experiences may have taken place in a structured environment such as the workplace, it is also appropriate to discuss more every day and personal experiences.

06.Three letters of recommendations. The three letters of recommendation, submitted through GradCAS:

Contact your references and ask them to write a letter that discusses your interpersonal skills, experience working with youth/adolescents, facility with written and oral communication, and ability to do graduate-level work.

It is preferred that letters come from people who have directly observed or worked with you in the experiences you listed on the Documentation of Professional / Volunteer Experience Form (see documents). Letters from faculty who can address your ability to succeed in graduate school are also appropriate. Letters from family members or friends will not be accepted.

07. Complete Educational History and Transcripts from any colleges/universities:

• Where any degrees have been granted or are expected.

• That show any graded bachelor’s work and/or graduate-level work (including doctoral) taken after the bachelor’s degree.

• Unofficial copies may be uploaded with your Graduate School application for application review. If admitted, you will be required to submit official copies to the WSU Graduate School.

Official WSU Transcripts are NOT required for coursework taken at WSU.

08. Collect evidence of meeting basic academic skills:

• If you have taken the SAT, ACT, or West-B in all three subject areas (reading, math, and writing), gather your official test results.
• If you took the SAT or ACT before writing subject tests, take the West-B writing test and include your results.
• If you went to WSU for undergrad, WSU may have a copy of your official SAT or ACT.

09. International Students must meet the university’s English proficiency and funding requirements. Please view the current requirements.