Learn more about Maine Scholars.
Lesley Announces Maine Scholars Program
The Maine Scholars program gives students prioritization by Maine employers as well as opportunities for financial aid and scholarship benefits.

How to Apply

Apply for one of our on-campus M.Ed. or license-only graduate programs in TESOL, ESL, or Individually Designed as an international student.

Use these application requirements if you're applying for any of these on-campus programs:

  • English as a Second Language (PreK-6 or 5-12) License Only (not available to students on an F-1 visa)
  • Individually Designed Program for Educators M.Ed.
  • TESOL, ESL, or Bilingual Education M.Ed. (not available to students on an F-1 visa)

Please contact iss@lesley.edu if you have questions about programs that may not be available to students on an F-1 visa.

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines

Late applications will be reviewed if space is available.

Start Term: Fall
Deadline: August 1

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Check the program of study for prerequisites.

Our graduate programs require that you have an undergraduate degree. And some programs have other prerequisite requirements such as specific coursework, a certification or license, or a master's degree in a specific field.

Check the program of study for the academic program you are interested in to see if there are any prerequisites. You can find the link to the program of study on the lesley.edu web page for the program.

You can also ask us at luadmissions@lesley.edu. We're happy to help!

Application Form

Application Form

Apply online for your M.Ed. or license-only program in TESOL/ESL or Individually Designed.

Create an account and password before you start your application. You can stop and save your application, and return to complete it later.

Apply for Spring 2023

Spring 2023 Application for Admission - Apply Online

Apply for Fall 2023

Fall 2023 Application for Admission - Apply Online

Submit Documents

Submit Documents

You'll need to submit the following supporting materials.

You can send the documents separately, but we won't be able to make an admissions decision until we've received everything.

Official Transcripts

Have each institution where you earned an undergraduate or graduate degree send us your official transcript.

If your transcript is not in English, provide a notarized translation of it.

If you’re enrolled in a degree program when you apply, submit your transcript of the courses you’ve taken to date. Submit your final official transcript once you’ve completed the degree program.

Your transcripts need to be:

  • Conferred by regionally accredited colleges or universities
  • Original documents bearing the official institutional stamp
  • Received by Graduate Admissions Services in envelopes sealed by the sending institution, or sent electronically directly from the institution

Send transcripts to:

appstatus@lesley.edu or

Lesley University
Graduate Admissions Services
29 Everett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Foreign Academic Credentials Evaluation

A credential evaluation helps us understand the courses you’ve taken, the grades you’ve earned, or the degree you’ve received from an institution outside the United States.

Get an independent credential evaluation of your transcripts to determine U.S. equivalency.

Graduate Students

You’ll need a document-by-document evaluation. Exception: Expressive Therapies master's degree programs require a course-by-course evaluation instead.

Evaluation Agencies

Contact one of these agencies to get your credentials evaluated.


If you’re submitting a foreign academic credential evaluation, unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your transcript requirement if official transcripts were provided to the evaluation agency.

2 Letters of Recommendation

Include 2 recent recommendations from those you’ve worked with closely in an academic or professional setting.

  • At least one of your recommendations should come from a present or former supervisor.

  • If you’re in school or are a recent graduate, one recommendation should come from a professor.

  • We don’t accept recommendations written by friends or family, or that were written more than 2 years before your application date.

Within your online application form, include the names and emails of the people writing your letters of recommendation. They'll receive an email from you with an electronic recommendation form, and they can upload a letter if they choose.

English Language Proficiency

We want you to be successful in your program. If your native language is not English, we require that you provide proof of your English proficiency.

You can show your proficiency in one of these ways:

Option 1

Duolingo English Test

  • We require a minimum score of 105 on this test.

Option 2

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

  • Minimum score of 80 on the Internet test.
  • Submit your score. Use Lesley University’s CEEB code: 3483.

Option 3

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

  • A score of 6.5 or higher
  • Contact the center where you took the test. Request that they send your official Test Report Form to Lesley University.

Option 4

Official Cambridge English Exam

  • C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English)
  • C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

Option 5

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Partnerships

We have partnered with several language schools to help you meet the English requirement. Complete the curriculum at one of the schools, at the specified level.

Then, get a letter from the program coordinator or teacher. The letter should explain that your English is proficient for college-level study.

Here are our partner schools and levels we require:

Option 6

English Language Requirement Waiver

If English is not your native language, but you’ve graduated from a school or program that was taught in English, you may qualify to have the language requirement waived.

If it’s not noted on your transcript, request a letter from your high school, college, or university stating your language of instruction was English.

Written Personal Statement

Your written personal statement gives us insight into your purpose for pursuing a graduate program, your interest in and knowledge of the chosen area of focus, and your writing skills.

The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each application. We encourage you to prepare and review this statement thoughtfully before you submit it.

Write a 750–1000 word personal statement.

Lesley University's Graduate School of Education is guided by core values of democracy, equity, community, inquiry, professionalism, and leadership. The university is committed to practices fostering inclusion and social justice. Consider our core values while addressing the following in your statement:

  1. Your interests in the field of education and the specific graduate program to which you are applying. Highlight your beliefs on the responsibility of an educator to foster inclusion and social justice.

  2. How your personal and professional experiences have influenced and prepared you to seek admission to the Graduate School of Education at Lesley University.

  3. Any unusual or extenuating circumstances in your academic history (if applicable) and your plan for achieving success in your graduate program.

Include your full name at the top of your written personal statement document.

Your written personal statement:

  • 750–1000 words in length
  • Double-spaced
  • 1-inch margins
  • 12-point font

Submit your written personal statement electronically in 1 of 2 ways:

Upload the file as part of your Application for Admission.

OR

Send your personal statement separately by email to appstatus@lesley.edu.

Current Résumé

Show relevant work, volunteer, or academic experience on your résumé.

Contact Admissions

Contact Admissions

Mailing Address
  • Lesley University
    Graduate Admissions Services
    29 Everett Street
    Cambridge, MA 02138
On-Campus & Off-Campus Graduate Programs
Online Graduate Programs
29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
617.868.9600