GIVE

Graduate Admissions

M.Ed. in Divergent Learning

Application for admission to the M. Ed. in Divergent Learning Program
is open to women and men with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

Completed admission files are reviewed and candidates admitted on a rolling basis. Cohorts are limited to enrollment of 24 students, with a waiting list past 24 students. For more information, please contact the Director of Graduate Admissions, Carolyn Emeneker, at 803.786.3766 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Fall 2013 Admission Deadline - Friday, July 26, 2013

Admission Requirements

  • File an application for the M.Ed. in Divergent Learning program
     
  • Submit two letters of recommendation from a supervisor, professor, or colleague who can attest to your ability to perform at the graduate level
    • Download recommendation forms here
    • Give the "Recommendation Form" to people who can speak to your ability to perform graduate level work. Submit the recommendations to Graduate Admissions, 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, SC 29203, fax to 803.786.3393, or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
       
  • Submit official transcripts of ALL undergraduate and graduate work. An official transcript with BA/BS degree posted must be submitted, as well as official transcripts from ALL regionally accredited institutions attended. Failure to submit all transcripts by the deadline posted on the website will disqualify your application for admission.
    • Official transcripts should be mailed to:
    • Graduate Admissions
    • 1301 Columbia College Drive                                                          
    •  Columbia, SC 29203
    • Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institution to Columbia College. The College does NOT accept transcripts that are not in the original sealed envelope.
    • Faxed copies of transcripts are NOT accepted
       
  • You must meet one of the following criteria. EX: if you have a cumulative undergraduate GPA higher than 3.0, you do NOT have to meet any of the other criteria listed.

          Official baccalaureate transcript from a regionally accredited institution with degree posted and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or 
          higher on a 4.0 scale

          Current teaching certificat

                   Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score taken within the past five years. Columbia College code is R5117

                   Official MAT (Miller Analogies) score taken within the past five years. Columbia College code is 1710

                   Official GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score taken within the past five years

                   Official graduate transcript from a regionally accredited institution with a degree posted of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

  • Submit an essay

Choose one of the three scenarios below and write a two to three page essay on the topic. The essay must be typed in 12 pt. font, double-spaced, and with one inch margins. 

SCENARIO I You are a teacher (regular classroom, special areas, special education, or another area in your specialty). You have observed a student of yours who is obviously capable of average to high-level performance, but consistently performs poorly. Write about some strategies you believe would assist this student to become a successful learner.
 
SCENARIO II You are a teacher in a small rural school district that serves students from predominantly low-income families. The school district consistently has performed poorly in standardized assessments, and teachers and administrators are under constant pressure to improve academic performance. Prompted by a recent round of state budget cuts, the district superintendent has recommended that the school board cut all arts programs and divert the funds to remediation in reading and math. Discuss the impact that you feel this policy would have on your students, including your opinion of the role of the arts in education.
 
SCENARIO III You have been assigned the responsibility to provide on-the-job training to a fellow employee. Your supervisor has asked you to provide the greatest opportunities for this person's success. How would you structure a training program for this individual? Discuss some of the strategies you would employ.
 
Submit your essay via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Essays will not be accepted if they are faxed or mailed. If you do NOT receive a confirmation email stating your essay was received, please contact Joann Nagy at 803.786.3191.

International Applicants must also submit the following:

TOEFL Score

A TOEFL score report is required from those for whom English is a second language. The minimum score required for admission on the paper version is 550; the minimum score required for admission on the computer version is 213, and the minimum required on the web version is 79. The Columbia College TOEFL code is 5117.

General Information
  • Columbia College is only approved to accept nonimmigrant students with F-1 visas (not J visas)
  • F-2 visas (F-1 dependents) are only allowed to take classes part-time and cannot obtain a degree
  • Permanent residents are treated like citizens and are required to submit a copy of their permanent resident card (green card)

Copy of Travel Documents

  • Submit a copy of the following documents
  • Passport signature page, VISA, and I-94 card
  • Previous I-20's
  • Documents that have been issued by previous schools or the federal government related to your nonimmigrant status (e.g . Employment Authorization Document)
Financial Statement 
Submit proof that you can cover the cost of tuition and fees- this can include any of the following: statement or letter from bank verifying student or family member has the funds available in an account(s), pay stubs showing the student or family member has regular and adequate income, loan(s) or other financial documents, or any combination of these sources which add up to the total cost of tuition and fees
 
Admission for Non-Degree Status
  • Non-Degree Graduate School Applicant: Apply online
  • Submit an official transcript with your baccalaureate degree posted to Graduate Admissions, 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.
Graduate Work at Other Institutions
Graduate work completed at other institutions may be accepted in partial fulfillment of the course requirements, subject to the approval of the student's advisor, the program director, and the Registrar. All transfer credit must be submitted for approval prior to beginning the program. A student may incorporate no more than 9 s.h. from other institutions. If a student wishes to augment electives offered by the program with electives offered elsewhere, permission to do so must be obtained before registering for such credits, a grade of "B" or better must be obtained, and the total waiver of elective credits offered by Columbia College must be no more than six. Applications for permission to take transient work may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. When concurrently enrolled in two institutions during the same semester, Columbia College regulations pertaining to maximum course load apply. Credit for prior graduate work not previously approved is disallowed toward fulfillment of graduate program requirements. If a student feels special circumstances should allow for this policy being waived, she/he may submit a request for such an exemption in writing to the Graduate Council. Transfer credit for technology courses over five years old is not accepted by the Graduate School.
 
Completed admission files are reviewed and candidates admitted on a rolling basis. Cohorts are limited to enrollment of 24 students, with a waiting list past 24 students. For more information, please contact the Director of Graduate Admissions, Carolyn Emeneker, at 803.786.3766 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
 
All application materials should be mailed to:
 
Graduate Admissions 
1301 Columbia College Drive
Columbia, SC 29203