Admission Requirements
To be admitted in good standing to any Cumberland University graduate program, you would need proof of having completed a bachelor’s or higher degree from any regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
No entrance exams
We’ve eliminated entrance exams from our admissions process, which means you will not have to take the GRE exam. All you need to get started is a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA, or 3.00 in previous Master’s programs.
(regionally accredited university)
Hold a valid teaching license
Completed Cumberland University online admissions application
$50 Application fee
Non-refundable
Immunizations
(on-ground only)
Official transcripts sent from all previously attended colleges and universities
Evidence of three years of successful teaching experience at any grade level.
Licensure Only Admission Requirements
The Instructional Leadership (Licensure) concentration is designed to prepare candidates seeking licensure as beginning administrators under the Tennessee Learning Centered Leadership Policy. More information concerning the leadership redesign can be found at http://www.tnelc.org/. Candidates completing the K-12 Instructional Leadership concentration must successfully pass the Praxis SLLA Exam (required for the ILL-B License – Test Code 6011) to obtain both the M.Ed. degree and licensure. Approved Instructional Leadership preparation programs are required that all candidate applicants hold a current teacher’s License, have a minimum of three years of successful education working experience, and submit a confidential application portfolio that contains the following:
Admission Criteria
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Three dispositions rating forms completed by district-level administrator or educator
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Employment by a TN school district (County/district must have partnership agreement on file with the School of Education & Public Service at Cumberland University)
- The evidence and documentation shall be developed collaboratively between districts and university/non-higher education program providers. Please use the Evaluation Rubric for TILS.
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A current résumé
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Demonstration of effective oral and written communications skills
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Successful completion of an interview conducted by a program admission committee that includes both K-12 instructional leaders and higher education faculty that can determine if the candidate has
- Implemented innovative learning strategies in his/her classrooms;
- Shown good communications, human relations, and organizational skills;
- Used student data and work samples to make instructional decisions; and
- Demonstrated high ethical standards.
- Interview Requirement – During the interview, the candidate must be prepared to discuss how he or she has a working knowledge and track record of implementing the Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards. A case-study analysis writing sample will be completed on campus during the interview visit. Prompt will be based on concentration.
Candidates enrolled in the M.Ed. program will be engaged in assessments that are based on ISSLLC and TIL standards underlying the core curriculum for instructional leaders. The continued development of the portfolio throughout the M.Ed. program will afford candidates opportunities for reflection and self-evaluation. The portfolio should serve as a way to highlight expertise and competence that will be used to gain future employment as a K-12 administrator. To complete the program, licensure-seeking candidates must complete an oral defense of their portfolio in the last semester of work. The defense of the portfolio, and its artifacts, shall function as the comprehensive exam for all leadership candidates seeking the ILL-B Administrative License.
Contact us. We’re here to help.
If you have any questions or need any help through your next steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Program Director, Sandy Smith at (615) 547-1327 or email sandy.smith@cumberland.edu. We’re here to help guide you through this process and discuss your future at Cumberland University.
The Admissions Office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm CST. Please contact the Admissions Office at 615-547-1246 locally or 800-467-0562 to speak with our Graduate Enrollment Specialist or email graduateadmissions@cumberland.edu.