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 an Online Master's Program

Apply for the Language and Literacy online master's degree program.

If you are an international student, you'll have additional application requirements.

 

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines

Summer Start (May 13)

Standard Deadline: April 25

If you wish to apply and be considered after the deadline, please contact Graduate Admissions at 617.349.8300 or email luadmissions@lesley.edu to discuss a late application.

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 for an online program.

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

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

Submit 2 recent recommendations from people you've worked with closely in an academic or professional setting.

  • At least one recommendation should come from a present or former supervisor.

  • If you’re in school, or are a recent graduate, the second recommendation should be from a professor.

  • We don’t accept recommendations written by friends or family, or that were written more 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.

Teaching Licenses

If the program you’re applying to requires an initial teaching license as a prerequisite, you’ll need to submit a copy of the licenses or certifications you hold.

Written Personal Statement

All of our online programs require that you write a personal statement. Your written personal statement gives us insight into your motivation, purpose in pursuing a degree program, writing skills, and communication style. It’s an important part of our review process.

Write a 600–900 word (2–3 pages) personal statement.

Use narrative form and address these questions:

  1. Reflect on your personal and professional history. What forces have influenced your professional growth and contributed to your decision to seek admission to this Lesley University program?

  2. What are your long-term professional goals (new directions, opportunities, interests, skills, professional renewal, or work advancement), and how does this Lesley University program help you to meet them?

  3. Is there other information you think would help the admissions committee understand you better? Examples:

  • Special interests
  • Publications
  • Academic achievements
  • Supervisors' references
  • Unusual career path
  • Awards and/or honors
  • Special accomplishments
  • Leadership abilities

Submit your written personal statement electronically in one of two ways:

  1. Upload the file as part of your application for admission.
  2. Email it to appstatus@lesley.edu.

Include your full name on the top of the document.

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