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Graduate education is both exciting and challenging. Academic
expectations are higher than at the undergraduate level, but
the career rewards in terms of both financial gain and self
esteem are also higher.
At the graduate level students begin
to focus explicitly on a single discipline or professional
program. Here students attain a level of knowledge in their
field whereby they are considered masters in it. Indeed, some
contribute to the world of scholarship through research leading
to a thesis or publication. Those students pursuing a practice-oriented
master’s degree demonstrate mastery through a project,
a practicum, or an internship. While for many students a master’s
degree serves as a terminal degree, others continue at the
doctoral level where new contributions to the world of scholarship
are required.
Graduate students seriously pursue
a specific area of study. There are no longer broad distribution
requirements to fulfill as there are at the undergraduate
level. Students acquire knowledge and demonstrate expertise
in their field through the completion of course work, seminars,
colloquia, field placements, and internships, as suitable
to their area of study.
One goal of graduate study is to prepare the student to become
an independent scholar or practitioner. Graduate students
are expected not only to read assigned articles, but to search
for other related articles to obtain a deeper understanding
of the issues. In some fields, they are expected to design,
implement and evaluate experiments, drawing conclusions and
making recommendations. As in course work, field work, or
internship experiences at the graduate level are intensive
and integrative in nature. Graduate students are expected
to be reflective and creative in approaching all graduate
learning experiences.
Some scholars consider perseverance
the sine qua non of success in graduate school. Adapting to
the more rigorous standards and more intensive learning experiences
at the graduate level can be challenging and intellectually
productive. Since research often leads to unexpected discoveries
which may require the student to rethink and redesign the
research project persistence and dedication are essential.
Preparation for exams, which is done independently, also demands
consistent, self-motivated hard work. All of these experiences
provide a gateway to further personal and professional development.
A desirable feature of graduate education
is mentorship: a relationship between a professor and a student
in which the professor not only advises the student about
reaching scholarly or practical goals, but also joins in discussion
of ideas, theories and practices within the student’s
chosen field. While mentorship is not a requirement for either
faculty or students, those professors and graduate students
who take part in it gain professionally from the experience.Graduate
education offers an opportunity for students to explore new
academic and professional horizons and to experience the joy
of learning and of scholarship. There is an excitement of
discovery that is contagious, and those who catch it are justly
proud of their achievement.
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Master of Science in Biotechnology
Master of Science in Community Health Nursing
Master of Science in Health Care Administration
Master of Science in Nonprofit Management (under Department
of Urban Studies)
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Post
Baccalaureate Transfer Program
Five-year Master of Occupational Therapy
Master of Education in:
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
English
Health Education
History
Leadership and Administration
Middle School Education
Moderate Special Needs
Reading
Secondary School Education
Spanish
Middle School Initial Licensure Program
Secondary School Initial Licensure Program
Moderate Special Needs Initial Licensure Program (restricted
enrollment)
School Leadership and Administration Initial Licensure Program
(restricted enrollment)
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Applicants for admission to graduate studies must have completed
a baccalaureate degree program at an accredited institution.
To be considered for admission, applicants must also meet
the minimum eligibility requirements listed below.
Unconditional Acceptance:
1. Minimum Undergraduate GPA
of 2.75
2. Score in the top 50% on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
or Miller’s Analogies Test (MAT)
Conditional Acceptance:
1. Meet one of the criteria of Unconditional Acceptance
2. Receive Departmental Approval
3. Maintain a “B” or better through the first four
courses
Only applicants who have already received
a graduate degree from an accredited institution in addition
to a baccalaureate will be exempted from taking the GRE or
MAT. Applicants from foreign countries in which English is
not the language of instruction, must also submit a score
of 550 or above on the written Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL). For those taking TOEFL on the computer,
you will be required to achieve a total score of 213 or above.
Persons denied admission because they do not meet the above
stated eligibility index, but who exhibit strong credentials
for their selected field of study, will be considered for
an alternate form of admission. Following the admissions review,
applicants will be advised in writing if this alternative
is available to them.
Students may obtain application forms from the Graduate Admissions
Office, Worcester State College, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester,
MA 01602-2597. Requests for application materials may be made
by calling 508-929-8127 or by e-mail: gradinfo@worcester.edu.
Each applicant must supply the following materials:
• an official transcript with
calculated GPA from the institution awarding the baccalaureate;
• an official transcript from each graduate institution
awarding degree(s) or course credit beyond the baccalaureate
(All transcript materials requested by the applicant become
the property of Worcester State College and cannot be released
to
the applicant or to other institutions or agencies.);
• a completed application form for graduate study along
with remittance of the application fee ($30.00 for all students);
• two current letters of recommendation;
• career plan/occupational history essay (approximately
500 words);
• evidence of completion of applicable departmental admission
requirements;
• where applicable, the results of the GRE or MAT, and
TOEFL.*
*Since up to six weeks may elapse
between the test date and receipt of scores, applicants should
take the examination well in advance of the application deadline.
The Graduate Record Examination is not administered at the
College. GRE bulletins may be obtained by calling the Counseling/Career
Services Center at 508-929-8072. The Miller Analogies Test
(MAT) is offered at Worcester State College by appointment
only. Applicants may call the Counseling/Career Services Center
at 508-929-8072 for the MAT registration form and candidate
information booklet.
Only complete application folders
will be reviewed. All application materials become the property
of Worcester State College and will not be returned.
Note: The application deadline
for the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program
is March 1, for entrance in the Fall semester. Because of
the sequence of course offerings, the Fall semester is the
only entrance period for the program. Deadline for Master
of Occupational Therapy is January 15 for Fall admission.
Pre-entrance immunization requirements:
Massachusetts State Law (Chapter 76, Section 15C) requires
that each full-time graduate student born after 1956 present
evidence of immunization in order to register for classes.
Health Insurance: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 15A
requires that certain students enrolled in institutions of
higher education carry health insurance under a qualifying
student health insurance program. Coverage for degree-seeking
graduate students is required if they register for seven (7)
or more semester hours of credit. For additional information,
see page 241 about participation in and charges for the College’s
plan. 508-929-8075.
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Worcester State College encourages current teachers and those
individuals who wish to change their careers to become teachers
to pursue graduate education. If you are already a teacher
with partial or full certification, Worcester State College
encourages you to continue your professional development by
matriculating into a master’s program.
If you are changing careers to become a teacher, you may begin
taking courses with the advice of an advisor, but are encouraged
to apply to admission as soon as possible. As a prerequisite
for admission, however, you need to demonstrate that you are
certified at least at the temporary license stage.
To obtain temporary licensure you
must apply to the Massachusetts Department of Education, Office
of Teacher Certification and Credentialing. Applications and
information about the application process can be obtained
by contacting the Bureau at 781-388-3300 ext. 665. In addition
to demonstrating competence in the subject that you intend
to teach (usually satisfied with a bachelor’s degree
in the subject area), candidates for temporary licensure as
of April 1998 must pass the Massachusetts Teacher Test. Applications
for these tests can also be obtained from the Bureau. Test
dates are in October, January, April and July of each year.
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Please refer to specific program requirements.
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