Skip Sub Menu
Application Process
Want to become a school principal, superintendent, athletic director, or educational administrator? Our Master in Educational Leadership program is perfect for educators planning to take the next step in their career. Drake’s MSE degree is a part-time program designed to meet the needs of working professionals with evening and weekend courses. Explore our educational administration degree and learn about the licensure requirements.
Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis; therefore, it is requested that all materials be submitted approximately 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the intended start-term. All Educational Leadership programs operate as a cohort and start in the fall semester.
Application materials required for an admission review include:
Application for Admission
Complete and digitally sign the online Application for Admission.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
A current professional résumé or curriculum vitae is required. Please include information regarding current and/or past employment history as well as professional development, internships completed, and volunteer experiences.
Statement of Interest
Please upload a statement of interest (double-spaced, no more than two pages). The statement should address the following questions:
- What drives you to pursue a graduate degree in educational leadership?
- How do you feel the Drake licensure program is a good fit for you personally?
- How will your background, experiences, or personal characteristics (values, traits, or motivations) help you contribute effectively as a member of a graduate leadership cohort?
- What sacrifices or adjustments do you anticipate having to make to balance sustaining your success as a practicing educator and as a graduate student in the program?
Letters of Recommendation
This program requires the submission of two (2) professional letters of recommendation, including one from an immediate supervisor and a second one from an administrator who can speak to the candidate's potential for effective building-level leadership.
You will enter the names and email contacts for your two references into the online application. Your references will be contacted electronically with directions for submitting our letter of recommendation form on your behalf.
Official Transcripts
We require official transcripts from:
- Any institution where you earned (or will earn) a bachelor’s degree.
- Any institution where you earned a post-bachelor’s (graduate) degree.
- Any institution where you earned credit you would like considered toward an endorsement or graduate degree.
Upon application review, you may be required to provide additional transcripts, including those with courses taken while in high school or at a community college.
Those with college credit from non-U.S. institutions are required to submit an official International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course Evaluation (preferred) or a Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The evaluation must come directly from WES to Drake. If you submit an official ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation, you do NOT need to submit transcripts from non-U.S. institutions to Drake.
Official transcripts are designated as those coming directly from the university or college of attendance to Drake University.
Official transcripts may be sent via secure electronic transmission from the issuing institution to soegradadmission@drake.edu. This is preferred and will expedite the admission process.
Official transcripts may also be sent via postal mail to:
Graduate Admission Coordinator
School of Education Drake University
Collier-Scripps Hall Room 221
2702 Forest Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505
Transcripts and other supporting materials are not returned to the applicant and become the property of Drake University.
International Candidates
International applicants follow the standard application process with three additional requirements:
1. Language Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a valid language proficiency test score. The minimum accepted scores are:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 110
Test scores must be from within the last two years and reported directly by the testing agency. Exemptions are granted to those who hold a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, or an equivalent degree from a university in a country where all instruction is in English.
2. Credential Evaluation: Those with college credit from non-U.S. institutions are required to submit an official International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course Evaluation (preferred) or a Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The evaluation must come directly from WES to Drake. If you submit an official ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation, you do NOT need to submit transcripts from non-U.S. institutions to Drake.
3. Financial Information: Applicants must submit a financial information form indicating the source and amount of anticipated funding for educational expenses. To ensure visa approval by the U.S. Department of State, a minimum of $25,000 in self or sponsor funding must be demonstrated.
Questions?
Coordinator of Graduate Admission, School of Education
soegradadmission@drake.edu
515-271-2552
Request Information
Loading...
