Education, M.Ed. Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What does the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program entail?

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree is a 30-credit hour graduate program designed for career P-12 licensed educators wishing to advance in the profession while refining their knowledge, skills, and dispositions as practitioners. More information, including a list of the required courses, can be found on the M.Ed. website.

Applying

How do I submit an application?

General information on how to apply can be found on the M.Ed. homepage.

To submit an application, you can access the school’s online application system. After creating a user account, you may continually log in to work on your application prior to officially submitting it for admission consideration.

When should I apply?

Application for admission to the M.Ed. program must be submitted 30 calendar days before the first day of classes each semester. To find out the first day of classes for each semester term, please view the university's Academic Calendar.

Students can take six (6) unclassified credit hours during the process of applying for the M.Ed. program.

Is there a fee?

A nonrefundable $25.00 charge is required for each graduate application submitted in order to cover processing service fees.

What is required to complete my application?

To begin the process, applicants must first complete the Graduate Studies application. Applicants should go to the Graduate Studies website to access information about general admission requirements and to complete the online Application for Graduate Admission. If you have any questions or problems with completing the application, please call the Office of Graduate Studies at (662) 329-7142.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

  • Online application
  • Bachelor's degree in education from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Current Teaching License
  • Official Transcripts, with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, from all colleges attended.
    Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from each institution attended, including transcripts from The W, must be included. Transcripts must verify that the applicant received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution. Transcripts may be sent electronically to Mississippi University for Women Graduate Studies.
    Physical Transcripts should be sent to:
    Mississippi University for Women Graduate Studies
    1100 College Street, MUW-1603
    Columbus, MS 39701
  • Professional Letters of Recommendations from three individuals who have knowledge of the applicant's academic/work performance within the educational setting and those who have supervised the applicant’s teaching performance.
  • $25 application fee
  • Statement of Purpose Writing Sample

Students not meeting these criteria may be considered on an individual basis for conditional admission.

Which transcript(s) should I submit?

Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from each institution attended, including transcripts from The W, must be included. Transcripts must verify that the applicant received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution. Transcripts may be sent electronically to Mississippi University for Women Graduate Studies.

Physical Transcripts should be sent to:
Mississippi University for Women Graduate Studies
1100 College Street, MUW-1603
Columbus, MS 39701

Who should write my letters of recommendation?

Three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application process. The selection of professional references should include those with whom applicants have worked within the educational setting and those who have supervised the applicant’s teaching performance.

What is a Writing Sample?

Using a prompt provided in the online application portal, the writing sample provides an assessment of the commitment, readiness, and academic writing ability of applicants for the Master of Education (M.Ed.).

My application is complete, what happens next?

Completed applications, those with all required credentials received, will be reviewed by a departmental graduate faculty. The review process can typically last about one week, after which candidates will be notified of the official decision via email.

Are graduate scholarships available?

Graduate scholarships are available from Graduate Studies in Education. Please email gse@muw.edu or call (662) 329-7191 if you have any questions. Apply for Graduate Scholarships.

Scholarship Application Deadlines

Semester Completed Application
Spring November 15
Summer April 15
Fall July 15

Scholarships for Licensed Mississippi Teachers

If you are a licensed public-school teacher in Mississippi and in need of financial assistance, please contact the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid/Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) for information on the Graduate Teacher Reimbursement Scholarships (GTS), 1-800-327-2980 or 601-423-6997 or http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/

Enrollment and Course Registration

What are my options for deferring my offer of admission?

Applicants who have been admitted and choose not to enroll in coursework but wish to keep their records current should submit a written request to the Office of Graduate Studies, indicating that they want their application to be kept on file for one calendar year following the term of admission. After one calendar year, their files will be purged.

Students who have not enrolled in coursework for a semester need to notify the Office of Graduate Studies in writing they wish to continue in their program so their files can be re-activated. They also need to provide the Office of Graduate Studies with any updated personal information, such as a change of address. The files of students who do not complete their graduate programs will be purged five years after the last date of attendance.

How do I decide which courses to take?

Each graduate student is assigned a faculty advisor who will counsel and assist in academic progress.

Before each registration, graduate students must consult with their advisors. All W students should see their advisor not only for program planning prior to each registration, but also for guidance and evaluation throughout the school year. An advising period is published during the fall and spring semesters. See the academic calendar for specific dates.

In the M.Ed. program, some courses are required while others are electives. It is the graduate student’s responsibility to make certain that all required courses are completed. Faculty advisors are available to assist graduate students in planning their academic work. Not all courses are offered every semester; some are only offered in alternating semesters or alternating years. The University is not responsible for scheduling problems that result from the student’s failure to take these intermittent courses when they are available, nor is the institution responsible for those students in an accelerated program who cannot be accommodated by the regular course rotation or students who are off sequence due to failing courses.

Graduate students who have questions regarding their major fields of interest or who want help with decisions are invited to consult their advisors, Department Chairs/Program Directors, or Deans at any time during the school year.

How and when do I register?

Following receipt of admissions notification, each graduate student should contact his/her designated faculty advisor to schedule an appointment to plan the program of study. Graduate students will schedule classes during the time allotted their classification. Students are required to meet with their advisors to prepare a tentative schedule in advance of registration, to receive their Registration Access Pin (RAP), and to obtain approval for any alterations in their previously confirmed schedule. Unclassified students may receive their RAP from the Office of Graduate Studies. Students are responsible for entering their approved courses in the Banner system. The student confirms his or her registration by paying fees to the Comptroller. All fees and expenses are due at registration. Students who have registered for classes but decide not to attend the University must drop all of their classes by registration day of that term. Students will be held responsible for payment of tuition and fees and will receive failing grades if they neglect to drop classes by the designated date.

In addition, each graduate student is required to meet with or contact his/her designated faculty advisors at least once each semester. This usually takes place during pre- registration periods as noted in the University calendar. Under no conditions should a graduate student register for classes or change approved classes listed on the Program Sheet without prior advisor approval.

How do I drop a course?

Courses may be added or dropped without penalty during the first few days of a term using Banner Web in the WConnect portal.

Students should check the academic calendar, student handbook, and/or student activities calendar for all important dates concerning dropping a course, adding a course, or changing their grade status in a course. After that time, students will need to consult their advisors for drop/add procedures.

How can I see my course schedule for a given term?

Course schedules can be viewed on Banner Web. Click on Signing into Banner Web to obtain information on how to access your Banner account.

How do I obtain approval to register for a course that has restricted enrollment?

Contact your academic advisor to request an override to be processed.

How do I apply for readmission?

Students who wish to return to a graduate program within a year after withdrawing from classes will not need to re-apply for graduate study or pay another fee. However, they should notify the Office of Graduate Studies and the individual graduate program office that they wish to continue in their program so that their files can be re-activated. They will also have to complete a new application form to update personal data and provide transcripts for any classes that were taken at another institution in the interim. Students who wish to return to a graduate program a year or more after withdrawing from classes will have to re-apply for admission to that program. Readmission will not be automatic. Application for readmission may be made only once, and the student will be held to the requirements effective at the time of readmission. Students choosing to leave a Graduate Program and enroll as an undergraduate must submit a letter to the Graduate Office stating their intentions.

Billing/Financial Aid

How and when will I be billed for coursework?

Answers about billing for tuition and fees can be found on the Tuition and Fees site.

Where should I direct questions about my bill?

Contact University Accounting for questions about your bill.

Address:
Mississippi University for Women
University Accounting
Welty Hall - 1st Floor
MUW-1604
Columbus, MS 39701

Phone:
662-329-7210

What is the tuition?

Answers regarding the cost of attendance, tuition and fees, can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.

What sources of financial aid exist?

State and federal graduate financial assistance and scholarships available, including departmental graduate scholarships from Graduate Studies in Education, can be found on the GSE Scholarships & Financial Aid page. Please email gse@muw.edu or call (662) 329-7191 if you have any questions.

Scholarship Application Deadlines

Semester Completed Application
Spring November 15
Summer April 15
Fall July 15

Scholarships for Licensed Mississippi Teachers

If you are a licensed public-school teacher in Mississippi and in need of financial assistance, please contact the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid/Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) for information on the Graduate Teacher Reimbursement Scholarships (GTS).
1-800-327-2980 or 601-423-6997 or http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/

How and when do I apply for financial aid?

Answers regarding applying for financial aid can be found on the Graduate Studies Financial Aid Page.

Tools for New Graduate Students

How do I access my student account?

Once you have been admitted to The W, you can access your account in Banner Web through the campus portal WConnect using the link at the top right corner on the university's homepage. As a new student,you will need to activate your account first. How to set up your Wconnect account

What is my MyApps address and how do I access it?

MyApps is suite of cloud-based programs, including your official student email address.

You can look up your email address by logging into Banner Web (through the campus portal WConnect using the link at the top right corner on the university’s homepage), then click the link Personal Information, then click the link for View Email Addresses. Your new email address will be listed here.  You can access your MyApps account through the campus portal Wconnect using the link at the top right corner on the university’s homepage.

How do I obtain my student ID?

Student ID services can be found at the Campus Card Services Office.

Where should I direct technology questions?

All W students have access to a 24/7 support hotline, which you can find on Canvas.

Visit the Information Technology Services (ITS) website for questions regarding technology. You should also check the Online Student Technology Support page.

Where is the Education Building and Teacher Education Department located on campus?

Address:
Education and Human Sciences (EDHS) Building
520 11th Street South
Columbus, MS 39701
(corner of 11th Street South and 5th Avenue South)

The Teacher Education Department is located on the 3rd floor of the EDHS Building.

Graduation

What is “graduation” and is it automatic?

Graduation” is the receiving or conferring of an academic degree and will occur once a student has satisfied all academic requirements of their selected program of study.

Graduation is not automatic. All students must apply for graduation/degree, even if they are not attending the commencement ceremony.  An application for degree/graduation must be filed with the Office of the Registrar. More information can be found on the Apply for Graduation page.  

Can graduation occur at any time?

No.Graduation only occurs at the end of an academic term: in May (Spring Semester), August (Summer semester), or December (Fall semester).

When and where is the commencement (graduation) ceremony held?

The W holds commencement (graduation) ceremonies in May(Spring Semester), August (Summer semester), and December (Fall semester). Ceremonies are held on campus in historic Whitfield Hall.

Do I still need to apply for graduation/degree even if I am not attending the commencement ceremony?

Yes. All students must apply for graduation/degree, even if they are not attending the commencement ceremony.  An application for degree/graduation must be filed with the Office of the Registrar.

When will I receive my diploma?

Contact the Office of the Registrar to ask questions regarding the time frame of receiving your diploma.

Do I still need to apply for graduation if I am in a certificate-seeking program?

No. Students completing a certificate program will contact the Office of Field Experiences: School of Education to complete required licensure paperwork for Mississippi Department of Education (MDE).