Columbia College

Application for admission to the Master of Education in Higher Education is open to women and men with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

• Graduate School: Apply | Request Information

Admission Requirements

• File a FREE application for the M.Ed. in Higher Education.
   
• 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
  • 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 certificate

        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

Do you work in an approved area of higher education? 

• Candidates that CURRENTLY work in an approved area of higher education, choose from TOPIC I or II and submit a two to three page essay on the topic. The essay should include a cover page with the TOPIC you chose and must be typed in 12 pt. font, double-spaced, and with one inch margins.

• Candidates that DO NOT CURRENTLY work in an approved area of higher education, choose from TOPIC III or IV and submit a two to three page essay on the topic. The essay should include a cover page with the TOPIC listed and must be typed in 12 pt. font, double-spaced, and with one inch margins.

International Applicants must also submit the following:

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)

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.

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.