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T​hank you for considering the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development (FSEHD) at Rhode Island College for your graduate education

Preparing Educating Professionals

The FSEHD graduate faculty members are committed to offering y​ou strong programs that prepare reflective professionals to work in diverse schools, organizations and communities in Rhode Island and the region.​

FSEHD Graduate Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines and Financial Assistance

Applications for admission will not be processed until all materials have been received by the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development. The applicant is responsible for assuring that all credentials are received by the following deadlines:

  • Nov. 1 for spring matriculation
  • March 1 for fall matriculation
  • ** School Psychology has one deadline: Feb. 1.
    ** Clinical Mental Health Counseling has one deadline: Feb. 1.

FSEHD graduate applicants are eligible to apply for graduate and teaching assistantships. 

Review and Apply for Assistantships

Information on Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Admission Requirements for M.A., M.Ed. and M.S. Programs

Students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Submit an application fee of $50.
  2. Earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college.
  3. Submit three professional references from persons acquainted with the applicant's academic ability and aptitude.
  4. Submit official graduate and undergraduate transcripts
  5. Have a teaching certificate (except for clinical mental health counseling and health education applicants).
  6. Submit official standardized test scores on the GRE. (This requirement varies based upon program-specific requirements.) 
  7. Submit a professional goals essay.
  8. Submit a performance-based evaluation.
  9. Submit a résumé.
  10. Complete program-specific requirements.

Admission Requirements for M.A.T. Programs

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Submit an application fee of $50.
  2. Earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college.
  3. Submit two professional references from persons acquainted with the applicant's academic ability and aptitude.
  4. Submit official graduate and undergraduate transcripts
  5. Submit official standardized PRAXIS test scores. See your intended program for details.
  6. Submit a statement of educational philosophy. See information below on writing your educational philosophy essay.
  7. Submit a résumé.
  8. APPLY NOW!

Admission Requirements for C.A.G.S. in School Psychology

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Submit an application fee of $50.
  2. Earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college.
  3. Submit three professional references from persons acquainted with the applicant's academic ability and aptitude.
  4. Submit official graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
  5. Submit a professional goals essay.
  6. Submit a performance-based evaluation.
  7. Submit a résumé.
  8. Complete program-specific requirements.

Admission Requirements for C.G.S. Program

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Submit an application fee of $50.
  2. Earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college.
  3. Submit three professional references from persons acquainted with the applicant's academic ability and aptitude.
  4. Submit official graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
  5. Submit official standardized test scores – GRE or MAT. Click here (varies based upon program-specific requirements).
  6. Submit a professional goals essay.
  7. Submit a performance-based evaluation.
  8. Submit a résumé.

Information for International Applicants

Applicants must fulfill the following additional requirements:

  1. Submit official translated copies of all academic credentials.
  2. Submit official score on Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or certification of English proficiency.
  3.  Meet Rhode Island College health requirements.
  4. Submit an affidavit of support detailing funds for the educational program. (This must be submitted before an I-20 can be issued.)

Application Materials

Professional Goals Essay

Prepare a well-organized, focused essay of 300 to 500 words (double spaced and typed) describing why you want to pursue graduate education. Include in the essay a reflection on:

  • Your experiences, skills and lifelong learning, which makes your pursuit of graduate study a sound choice for you.
  • Your level of preparation for graduate study, knowledge in your chosen field and professional activities.
  • Your professional goals and how these goals will prepare you to serve individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.
  • Your reasons for choosing RIC's graduate program.

Note: This essay should demonstrate your best writing. It will be scored on its content (understanding of the goal of graduate study and its effective use of personal experience to discuss preparation and dispositions) and writing conventions.

Statement of Educational Philosophy

Prepare a well-organized and focused essay describing why you want to become a teacher and the personal characteristics and skills you would bring to a career in teaching. The content of this essay is very important; however, command of effective and correct written communication skills will also be evaluated. The essay should not exceed 850 words. Include the following elements in your essay. They need not appear in the same order as presented below.

  1. Discuss your reasons for applying to a specific teacher preparation program and your commitment to teaching as a career.
  2. Use examples of your experiences that are related to a potential career in teaching. Discuss your beliefs about each of the following:
    • Individual and cultural diversity
    • The potential for all children to learn
    • Professional collaboration
    • Teacher as a lifelong learner
  3. Reflect on one of the above areas which you believe you need to alter or improve to become an effective teacher. Using specific examples, explain how your attitudes or behaviors need to change and why. Discuss how you might begin to work toward that change.

Performance-Based Evaluation

As part of your application, you are required to submit a performance-based evaluation, which reflects a recent assessment of your professional work and skills. The performance-based evaluation may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:

  1. A personal copy, or parts thereof, of a recent employee or teaching evaluation that addresses your professional skills.
  2. An evaluation of your performance during a specific professional activity (e.g., student teaching final evaluation, conducting a workshop/seminar, intake interview, conducting a therapy group).
  3. A classroom performance-based evaluation demonstrating your professional skills (e.g., your instructor's evaluation of your performance-based class project, teaching demonstration or counseling simulations).