Loyola University Chicago

The choice of program depends on your career plans. Students who are uncertain about long-term career plans are encouraged to speak with a member of the program faculty prior to submitting an application.

The first step is to complete an application form and submit it online or mail it to us. Upon receipt, we create a file and update you on your status as you move through our admission review process. IPS does encourage you to apply online, as the $50 application fee is waived for all online applications.

Most programs require some kind of testing. For more specific testing information, check each program's admission requirements.

International applicants must submit additional documentation. For more information, see international students.

Yes. If you have a previous or different name by which you were known at a previous institution, make sure you note that name in the appropriate place on the application.

Absolutely! When selecting the program for which you are applying, double and triple check to make sure you've selected correctly! You'd be surprised how many applicants have to follow up once the application is submitted because they've inadvertently selected the incorrect program.

Yes. Be sure to select the appropriate term and YEAR for consideration. Some applicants simply select the term, but neglect the spaces available for the year. Remember, the SOE is on a semester system.

Yes, however if you are applying for more than one program, you may be required to submit more than one application. To find out for sure, give a quick call to (312) 915-8950 and the GPEM office can assist you.

When listing the institutions that you have previously attended, please keep these things in mind - 1) you must list all institutions you have attended where you took courses for credit; if you audited a class, or took a class for no credit, it is not necessary to list that institution 2) if you neglect to list all institutions where you took courses for credit, that is considered academic fraud, so please be thorough and accurate in your listing of institutions.

Often times applicants ask me whether they must submit all application materials at once, but at Loyola each of your materials are scanned into your own electronic file as they are received so they are easy to track. As long as the general application is completed online, you are welcome to submit any other materials via mail to the following address:

Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
gradapp@luc.edu
312-915-8950

Loyola’s SOE programs have application deadlines that run throughout the year. Be sure to check on line at www.luc.edu/education to find the application deadline for your particular program.

For Master’s programs that only admit once a year and all doctorate programs applications will be reviewed after the application deadline, not before. Applications will be processed shortly thereafter and admission notification will go out within 6-8 weeks. For Master’s programs that admit on a rolling basis, meaning they admit more than once a year, admission notification will go out within 6-8 weeks of the university having received a completed application.

Official transcripts must be requested from the university directly. When the university mails an official transcript, it will be in a sealed envelope. When Loyola receives your transcript, it must still be in the original sealed envelope for it to be considered “official” for your application file. Therefore, you may either have your university mail the official transcript to you so you can submit it (just don’t open it!), or they can send it directly to Loyola at the following address:

Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Yes! Official transcripts are also required for international applicants - in the native language and English. International applicants are also required to complete a general* evaluation through www.ece.org. This will verify whether the degree earned is the equivalent of a US Bachelors degree, which is required for admission into the School of Education. It will also translate a US GPA which is a factor of the admissions decision.
* A course-by-course evaluation is needed for the initial teacher certification programs - Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and School Technology

Yes. You are not required to submit the “transcript request form”. The form is optional, and for your convenience if you choose to use it.

Yes. If you have a previous or different name by which you were known at a previous institution, make sure you note that name in the appropriate place on the application.

When listing the institutions that you have previously attended, please keep these things in mind - 1) you must list all institutions you have attended where you took courses for credit; if you audited a class, or took a class for no credit, it is not necessary to list that institution 2) if you neglect to list all institutions where you took courses for credit, that is considered academic fraud, so please be thorough and accurate in your listing of institutions.

The SOE posts a recommended undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for all graduate programs. However, if you do not meet the GPA recommendation or have concerns about your previous academic record, I encourage you to apply and to complete the academic explanation essay as a qualitative supplement to your transcripts. This brief explanation only needs to be 1-2 paragraphs long, detailing the factors contributing to your previous academic performance.

The personal statement is your opportunity to formally ‘introduce’ yourself to the admissions committee. Some topics that should be addressed are as follows:

1) State clearly the program you are interested in pursuing towards the beginning of your statement.
2) Your reasons for seeking further education, especially at Loyola (it shows that you have done your research on the school!)
3) How this program will help you to reach your educational, personal, and career goals through summarizing “where you have been, where you are now, and where you want to be”.
4) Clearly address each question asked of you depending on your individual program requirements. Some programs have very specific questions they wish for you to address concerning social justice, your research interests/experience, and professional history.
5) Any other information that you believe to be relevant in assessing your application.

The statement of purpose needs to be clear and thorough, yet concise. The length of the statement should be between 1 and 4 pages double spaced. If you find you are exceeding this length consider revising your statement to be more concrete.

No, please be mindful if you are pasting your statement of purpose into the online application as sometimes it will automatically insert unnecessary characters. Be sure to proofread!

You can submit the statement of purpose in the online application, email it to gradapp@luc.edu, or mail it to the Enrollment Management office at the following address:

Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Three letters of recommendation are required for the graduate application to the School of Education.

The letters of recommendation can either be professional, academic, or a combination of both. You want to pick three people that can genuinely speak on behalf of why you are a good candidate for Loyola SOE admissions.

No. There are not specific guidelines that need to be followed in how your recommenders should write the letters. It is basically a one-page letter detailing the reasons why this person thinks you would be a good fit in the Loyola SOE program, and how (based on experiences shared with you) they know you will be an asset to our highly-interactive SOE classrooms. Ultimately, these letters should complement your statement of purpose. Please make sure that you tell your recommenders to include your full name somewhere on the letter to help ensure it gets delivered to the correct application file.

Yes, the recommendation form in the application is not required to be included with the letters. It is solely there for your convenience if you choose to use it.

Please do not submit more than three letters of recommendation. Only three letters will be read.

You can submit the letters online, email them to gradapp@luc.edu, or mail them (in original sealed/signed envelopes) to the Enrollment Management office at the following address:

Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60611

For more information about funding your graduate education, see financial assistance.

School of Education courses are offered mainly at the Water Tower Campus. If courses are offered elsewhere, it will be noted in the specific program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). To accommodate the majority of our students who are full-time professionals in educational settings, courses are offered in the evenings and on Saturdays.

Students enjoy close working relationships with the faculty. Most graduate classes in the program average between 20-30 students.

See our online courses and syllabi.

The maximum courseload per semester for full-time graduate students is 12 semester hours (fall and spring semesters) and six semester hours in each summer session. A normal courseload is 9 semester hours per semester.

Students register online for classes before each semester through LOCUS. Dates for registration are listed on the academic calendar.

First-semester students are required to meet with their academic advisors prior to registration. At this meeting, a program plan will be created. This plan will provide a tentative course of study for your program of studies.

For subsequent semesters, students are strongly encouraged to maintain regular contact with their academic advisors to ensure that all program requirements are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Loyola's many libraries offer a full complement of electronic access, and instructional and information services. Computing centers and labs on Loyola's Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses offer students networked computers. Most of the courses in the school are hands-on, taught in state-of-the-art computer labs, where students have access to the latest statistical programs and to software for qualitative analysis. Graduate students are assigned a computer ID when they are admitted to a program.

Instruction is available to students on a wide variety of topics including basic computer use, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect for Windows, Microsoft Windows, Power Point, Excel, SPSS, the Internet as a research tool, and Web page development. Some courses are offered at no charge. Contact Information Technology Services for more information.

Our faculty monitor your progress at least once a year, and we have numerous opportunities for you to confer with faculty, advisors and other students.

Application deadlines are December 1 for May and August graduates (M.Ed. only), and August 1 for December graduates. Click here for graduation forms.

It may be possible to take a class as a non-degree student. Class space for non-degree students is limited depending on enrollment by students in degree programs. Class space may only become available shortly before the beginning of the academic term. A non-degree student is allowed up to two classes selected with a program advisor that may be applied towards a degree program. See non-degree application.

For further information about admission, the application process or academic programs, please visit Contact Us or complete our online form to receive more information.

We recommend that interested students attend an open house, go to an information session, schedule an individual appointment, or attend a class. To learn more about these options, please review our Visit Us page.

Loyola University Chicago has preferred rates available at The Talbott Hotel, 20 E. Delaware Place, and at Residence Inn, located at 201 E. Walton Place. For reservations at The Talbott, call 1-800-TALBOTT; or visit the hotel's Website. For reservations at Residence Inn, call 1-800-450-4442; or visit the hotel's Website. Be sure to request the Loyola University Chicago rate when making reservations at either hotel.