Master of Arts in Education: Certification in Educational Leadership

The Master of Arts in Education (M.A. Ed.) certification in Educational Leadership program at Cornerstone University is delivered in an accelerated, blended format allowing you to complete this degree in as little as 18 months. The blended format offers the best of online education with on-ground residencies. The one-week residency sessions will be held twice throughout the program at the main campus in Grand Rapids.

Admission Requirements

• A completed application and $40 non-refundable application fee
• An official transcript verifying a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university, or equivalent. Cornerstone University graduates do not need to request a Cornerstone University transcript. Official transcripts from other schools are required only if course work will be transferred to meet prerequisites or other program requirements
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in undergraduate course work at the institution from which the baccalaureate degree was received. Students not meeting this requirement may submit a written request to the admissions committee for acceptance to the graduate program explaining why they believe they can succeed in a master’s program
• Two letters of recommendation on forms provided; these forms should be completed by persons qualified to judge the applicant’s professional expertise, character and capacity for graduate level study. One letter must be from the applicant’s current employer (an individual with supervisory or managerial relationship to applicant) and one from an individual who can comment on the applicant’s academic ability
• Students whose primary language is not English must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 577 (paper-based test), 233 (computer-based test) or 90-91 (Internet-based test)
• A copy of teacher’s certification document
• A minimum of one year of classroom teaching experience (not to include student teaching). Applicants not meeting the one-year requirement must provide evidence of significant educational experiences with children, which will be reviewed with the prospective student during an interview with the director of education programs.

A maximum of six master-level (500 or higher course number) semester hours may be transferred to Cornerstone. In order to transfer, the course must have been completed within the last seven years.

 Courses