Application Requirements
To apply for the online Master of Science in Education at Pepperdine University, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred minimum 3.0 GPA.
The MS in Education offers three cohort start dates per year in September, January, and May. You can contact an admissions officer before submitting your priority application in order to receive an application fee waiver. The following materials are required to apply:
- Online application
- Résumé (optional)
- Transcripts: Official, electronic transcripts should be sent to eduappsvcs@onlinegrad.pepperdine.edu.
- Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial admissions review; however, official transcripts must be received to complete an applicant’s file and enable an accepted candidate to enroll in the subsequent term (30 days after start of term 1).
- All applicants who received or will receive their degree from a university outside of the US (unless the degree is from a university that is already regionally accredited within the US) are required to submit a detailed foreign transcript evaluation report from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member.
- Two letters of recommendation (LOR)
- LORs should be submitted directly from individuals familiar with your academic or professional competencies, character, and potential to complete rigorous graduate studies.
- Academic recommendations: professors, instructors, or academic advisors.
- Professional recommendations: supervisors for employment, volunteer work, internship, or related activities.
- If you are a recent college graduate, you should have at least one academic recommendation.
- If you graduated from college more than three years ago, you should use professional recommendations.
- LORs should be submitted directly from individuals familiar with your academic or professional competencies, character, and potential to complete rigorous graduate studies.
- Personal interview (may be required as a needed secondary review)
- Personal statement: Write a personal statement (2-3 pages) addressing the following prompts:
- What are your motivations for applying to the online Master of Science in Education program?
- How does the program align with your future aspirations?
- What are important elements of your personal, cultural, academic, or professional background that provide insight into your potential to succeed in an intensive online graduate program and beyond?
- How do your values align with the mission and vision of the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology?
- Proof of English language proficiency
- If your first language is not English, you must meet one of the following test scores:
- A minimum of 550 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- A minimum score of 80 if you take the Internet-based TOEFL test
- A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS exam
- If your first language is not English, you must meet one of the following test scores:
- Application fee: A $55 application fee is required upon submission of your application.
To ensure your transcripts and associated materials are received for review, please make sure to send them directly to eduappsvcs@onlinegrad.pepperdine.edu.