Admissions

Application Deadlines for the 2025-2026 Cohort

Application Requirements

All applicants must possess a master's or post-baccalaureate degree by August 2025 and complete the online SMU application. The application includes the following requirements:

• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 or higher desired for all degrees

Official Transcripts must be sent directly by the institution to SMU.

Electronic transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to:
gradappmaterials@smu.edu

Paper transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to: 
Graduate Application Processing
PO Box 518
Dallas, TX 75275-0518

• Applicants must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently to use it easily and readily in daily communication. English language proficiency will be evidenced by one of the following:
  
  1) Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or one of its territories; or
  
  2) verification of a minimum scaled score that falls within the High-Intermediate level in each section on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL-iBT); or
  
  3) An undergraduate or graduate degree that was earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States from the following list: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, U.S. Pacific Trust, Cameroon, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  
  4) a standard certificate issued by the department of education in another state where examinations for the certificate were taken and passed.

• 3 Essays
  • Your response for each part should be no longer than 2 pages in length (double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins)
• Three letters of recommendation. Letters should be from individuals who can speak to the candidate's academic and professional skills and potential. One letter should be from a direct supervisor in the candidate's organization. The supervisor will also be asked to indicate agreement for the student to miss work to attend classes (for time on Fridays and summer terms)
• A resume/curriculum vita

Promising applicants may be invited to engage in an interview and additional selection processes.

If applying for the Superintendent certificate, please provide:

• A letter of agreement from the superintendent or other system-level administrator indicating that the school district will provide internship activities and a district mentor for the candidate
• A copy of a Principal certificate or the equivalent issued by the TEA, another state or country

Superintendent Certification

Any candidate seeking TEA certification must obtain the conferred degree for the program along with the completion and passing of the required TEA exam.