Admissions FAQ

Application Deadlines

When is the Application Deadline?

Our priority scholarship consideration deadline is December 15. Our interim deadline with the application fee waived is January 15. Our final deadline is April 1. We recommend that international students apply before the January 15 deadline to facilitate visa processing.

When Should I Apply for Learning & Teaching?

Applicants to the Learning & Teaching concentration are encouraged to apply by the December 15 in order to receive a decision by mid-January. While early application is not required, Learning & Teaching applicants who are admitted to the program by January are given priority consideration with our partner schools.

Our priority scholarship deadline is December 15, our application fee waiver deadline is January 15, and our final deadline is April 1.

Full-time vs. Part-time Study

Can I Attend the Program Part-Time?

The M.A. in Educational Transformation is designed to be attended full-time, but there is a part-time option available. Before enrolling in the program, admitted applicants must confirm full-time or part-time enrollment. More information about the part-time enrollment option is available on our Academics page.

Official Transcripts

How Do I Submit Transcripts?

Applicants are required to upload to the application system unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your transcripts before receiving an offer of admission.

Review the unofficial transcript requirements for additional details and FAQs. 

What Do I Need to Know for Transcripts From an Institution Outside the U.S.?

Official foreign transcripts should be accompanied by a notarized translation into English, submitted to the Graduate School in a sealed envelope that is signed across the seal by the notary. International applicants who attend institutions outside of the U.S. are strongly encouraged to submit their transcripts in the form of World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluations and should note that official transcripts are delivered electronically with their evaluations through WES.

Applicants may use other credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), but must still submit official transcripts from the institution to Georgetown if the evaluation does not include an official copy of the transcripts evaluated.

Official Test Scores

Do I Need to Submit Standardized Test Scores?

 Applicants who wish to learn how to become a policy advocate through the Advocacy & Policy concentration, as well as those applying to the Inquiry & Applied Research concentration, are not required to submit standardized test scores.

Applicants to the Learning & Teaching concentration are required to demonstrate basic skills knowledge by submitting evidence of 3.0 or higher grade-point average earned for a completed bachelor’s degree OR by submitting passing scores achieved for the Praxis Core exam or the GRE. Students must earn at least the minimum score required for licensure by the Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in DC.

I’m a Learning & Teaching Applicant Who Needs to Submit a Test Score. What are the Passing Scores for the Praxis Core Exam and the GRE?

The minimum passing scores for the Praxis Core exam are a score of 156 on the Reading exam, 162 on the Writing exam and 150 on the Mathematics exam. The minimum passing scores for the GRE exam are a combined verbal and quantitative score of 288 and a writing score of 3.5.

What is the ETS Code Used to Submit My Test Scores to the M.A. in Educational Transformation?

The ETS code for all Georgetown programs is 5244.

Academic Statements

What is the Personal Statement?

The personal statement is an essay that describes your interest in a particular concentration offered within the Educational Transformation program. It should explain to the Admissions Committee why the Educational Transformation program is the best fit for your academic and professional goals and demonstrate an understanding of the program’s distinctive structure and focus.

• For Learning & Teaching applicants, the essay should address your personal philosophy of education and your interest in pursuing a teaching license to work with English Language Learners in Washington, D.C.
• For Advocacy & Policy applicants, the essay should discuss the applicant’s experience with and interest in K-12 education in the United States and to articulate philosophical alignment with the program.
• For Inquiry & Applied Research applicants, the essay should detail your intellectual interests, philosophical alignment with the program, and proposed topic(s) of graduate research.

The maximum length for both concentrations is 500 words.

Recommendations

How Many Recommendations Are Required?

Three recommendations are required, with at least two of the letters from a former professor at an academic institution. All three recommendations will need to be submitted through the online application portal, which will automatically email your recommenders instructions for online submission and allow you to track recommendation submissions.

What Should my Recommenders Write About?

Your recommenders should cover why you would be a good fit for our Educational Transformation program, as well as your academic strengths and your commitment to education. They should be able to speak to your academic abilities, especially your writing and research skills and ability to read critically, professional and personal maturity, independence and initiative, leadership skills and teaching experience.

What if my Reference Can’t Access the Online Recommendation?

In the event your reference can’t access the online recommendation, please contact the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (Graduate Admissions team) at GradMail@georgetown.edu.

Language Proficiency

Is There a Language Proficiency Requirement for Admission?

All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Proficiency can be demonstrated in two ways:

• the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the language of instruction for the entire institution; or,
• official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score reports.

TOEFL and IELTS reports must be received directly from the appropriate testing organization – photocopies or faxed documents will not fulfill this requirement.

What is the Minimum IELTS Score?

The minimum IELTS score is 7.0.

What is the IELTS Code?

IELTS doesn’t use a code as reports are sent directly to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

What is the Minimum TOEFL Score?

The minimum TOEFL score is 80 (original TOEFL iBT score scale) or 4 (new TOEFL iBT score scale beginning January 21, 2026).

What is the TOEFL Code?

The TOEFL code for all Georgetown University programs is 5244.