Sep 29, 2025

ACE Catalog - Volume 63

HELP

ACE Catalog - Volume 63

Master Programs Admission Requirements

Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education in Elementary Education Master of Education in Instructional Coaching and Teacher Leadership Master of Education in Integrated Curriculum Master of Education in Literacy Master of Education in Special Education Master of Education in STEM Education
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s degree earned	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
Applicants must acknowledge they have access to the educational settings for completion of course assignments throughout the program. Applicants must achieve and maintain a 3.00 GPA throughout their program.

Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned	2.75	2.50 Applicants whose overall GPA, or GPA in the last 60 hours is below 2.50 will not be admitted to the degree program.
Other Requirements
Applicants for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program must provide documentation of at least an initial teaching license, school service personnel license, or a school services certificate. If applicants to the Educational Leadership programs do not have a state recognized certificate, the student may provide evidence of full-time PK-12 teaching or school service personnel assignment, where applicable, from an individual in a supervisory capacity or from a human resource official of the school at their current employment. Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of credentials, professional experience, test scores, or an interview. Arizona Applicants: In addition to the general requirements for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, the following are required: Submit an essay that describes their desire to lead and leadership potential. Submit two (2) letters of professional recommendation. Acknowledge the requirement of having three years of successful teaching experience to be eligible for Arizona principal licensure. Florida Applicants: In addition to the general requirements for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, the following are required: Submit an essay that describes their desire to lead and leadership potential. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the applicant’s principal or direct supervisor. Both recommenders must include an evaluation of the applicant’s leadership potential. The supervisor’s recommendation must include an evaluation of the applicant’s instructional practice and performance of students at an “effective” or “highly effective” rating as evaluated by their two most recent performance evaluations through official district documentation or verification.* If unable to receive supervisor verification of instructional experience and performance of students, applicants can submit their last two years of performance evaluations showing a rating of “effective” or higher in instructional practice and performance of students’ sections. Illinois Applicants:* In addition to the general requirements for the M.Ed. In Educational Leadership, the following are required: Must hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License or A valid Career and Technical Education License, if the below standards have been met through verified coursework* Methods of Instruction of the exceptional child in cross-categorical special education Methods of reading and reading in the content area Instructional Strategies for English Language Learners Submit proof of at least two years of teaching experience under a valid and current license in a public or non-public school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, or in a regionally accredited and state-recognized out-of-state public school or out-of-state nonpublic school; or Two years of Support Personnel experience in one of the following capacities in a public or non-public school recognized by the Illinois Board of Education or in a regionally accredited and state-recognized out-of-state public school or out-of-state nonpublic school: School Counselor School Psychologist Speech Language Pathologist School Nurse School Social Worker School Marriage and Family Counselor Courses may be taken with ACE as a provisional student at large but must be completed before approval to move the Educational Leadership Program. Ohio Applicants:* In addition to the general requirements for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, the following are required: Ohio standard professional teaching license or professional pupil services license. or 4-year Alternative Resident Educator Designated Subject Grades K-12 or a permanent nontax certificate. (Only for applicants pursuing the Alternative Principal Licensure Pathway directly with Ohio State Board of Education. American College of Education cannot recommend or approve this Pathway for licensure). Submit an Educational Leadership essay describing what you view as the biggest challenge for school principals in your state. Submit two (2) letters of professional recommendation. Acknowledge the requirement of two years of successful teaching experience under a standard or professional teaching license or work experience under a professional pupil services license for the ages and grade levels for which the principal license is sought. Texas Applicants: In addition to the applicable general requirements for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, the following are required: Valid classroom teaching certificate. Complete an interview. Submit an Educational Leadership essay describing what you view as the biggest challenge for school principals in your state. Have their school district submit a sealed and signed Texas Teacher Service Record. If a Texas Teacher Service Record cannot be provided, an applicant can submit proof of employment in a Texas school and a service record from the previous state of employment showing two years of service. Acknowledge the requirement of having two years of creditable teaching experience, as a classroom teacher under a valid classroom teaching certificate to be eligible for Texas principal licensure. The minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 scale for full admission is 2.50, overall, or in the last 60 semester credits attempted at the accredited, degree-granting institution. To comply with the Texas Education Agency requirements, provisional admission is not permitted. Texas applicants whose first language is not English must submit an SBEC-issued standard Texas certificate or scores from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT). A minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C). Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including verifying of professional experience, test scores, or an interview. To comply with the Texas Education Agency requirements, provisional admission is not permitted, and applicants who have been admitted must confirm, in writing, acceptance of the admission offer. Notes for Texas Educational Leadership Students: Information about ACE’s Educational Leadership program performance over the past five years is available on the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Educator Preparation Compliance Reports website. Information about the effect of supply and demand forces on the educator workforce can be found from Texas Workforce Commission. Information about ACE’s Educational Leadership program accreditation status is available on the EPP website and on the TEA Educator Preparation Data Dashboard. A criminal background check is required prior to employment as an educator (Per Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083), and candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching or practicum (Per TEC, §22.0835). Individuals who have been convicted of an offense as listed in Section 249.16. Eligibility of Persons with Criminal History for a Certificate under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53, and Texas Education Code, Chapter 21, may be ineligible for issuance of a certification on completion of an educator preparation program. An individual has the right to request a copy of the criminal history evaluation letter as provided in Chapter 227, Subchapter B (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility). Texas Educational Leadership Students who wish to seek principal licensure in Texas will need to achieve an 80% or better on a practice examination within six months of testing approval request as outlined in the Texas Approval to Test Policy. Texas Principal Completion Requirements You must successfully complete a minimum of 200 clock hours of coursework and/or training in an approved principal educator preparation program. Complete 160 hours of a practicum Complete (3) 45-minute formal observations demonstrating Texas Principal Standards A criminal background check is required prior to employment as an educator (Per Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083), and candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching or practicum (Per TEC, §22.0835). Texas Certification Requirements Please refer to the Map for Texas Principal Certification Requirements

Florida Modified for Educational Leadership
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Master’s or Doctoral level Degree required for admission.	2.75	2.50 Applicants whose overall GPA, or GPA in the last 60 hours, is below 2.50 will not be admitted to the degree program.
Other Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, the following are required: Submit an essay that describes their desire to lead and leadership potential. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the applicant’s principal or direct supervisor. Both recommenders must include an evaluation of the applicant’s leadership potential. The supervisor’s recommendation must include an evaluation of the applicant’s instructional practice and performance of students at an “effective” or “highly effective” rating as evaluated by their two most recent performance evaluations through official district documentation or verification.* Though not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide an “Official Statement of Status of Eligibility” from the Florida Department of Education indicating the subject area content requirements for Educational Leadership. The receipt of the College’s approval of the internship site and mentor prior to the start of the student’s first term. *If unable to receive supervisor verification of instructional experience and performance of students, applicants can submit their last two years of performance evaluations showing a rating of “effective” or higher in instructional practice and performance of students’ sections.

Master of Education in Adult Education and Training Master of Education in Advanced Studies Master of Education in Biology Education Master of Education in Chemistry Education Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Master of Education in Educational Business Administration Master of Education in Educational Technology (currently not enrolling) Master of Education in English Education Master of Education in Health and Wellness Education Master of Education in Higher Education Master of Education in History Education Master of Education in Instructional Design and Educational Technology Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology (currently not enrolling) Master of Education in Mathematics Education Master of Education in Science Education (currently not enrolling) Master of Education in Sociology Education Master of Education in Teaching English Learners
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
Applicants must achieve and maintain a 3.00 GPA throughout their program.

Master of Arts in Elementary Teaching
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s degree	Cumulative 3.00 in bachelor’s degree or 2.50 in a bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of documented professional experience. or Hold both a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and proof of passing state approved content area assessment in the subject area.	Provisional admission is not permitted.
Other Requirements Requirements are determined through marrying both the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards
Pass criminal background check from Safe Hiring Solutions. Applicants are responsible for the fees required to complete the initial background check. For applicants with less than five years of US or US territorial residency status, an extended background check may be needed for at the applicant’s sole expense. Acknowledgment of field-based experiences and classroom access.

Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s degree earned in the subject area or related field the person wishes to teach.	Cumulative 3.00 in bachelor’s degree or 2.50 in bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of documented professional experience in the subject area or related field in which the person wishes to teach. or Hold both a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and proof of passing state-approved content area examination(s) in the secondary 5-12 content area assessment in the subject matter. or Hold a graduate degree from an accredited postsecondary institution in the subject area or related field in which the candidate wants to teach.	Provisional admission is not permitted.
Other Requirements Requirements are determined through marrying both the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards
Pass criminal background check from Safe Hiring Solutions. Applicants are responsible for the fees required to complete the initial background check. For applicants with less than five years of US or US territorial residency status, an extended background check may be needed for at the applicant’s sole expense. Acknowledgment of field-based experiences and classroom access.

Master’s in Nursing: BSN to MSN Program
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Concurrent enrollment at an institution for which ACE has a Concurrent Enrollment Partnership	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
Applicants for the above program must provide documentation of an active, unencumbered RN license. Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements. Acknowledgment of the requirement to have a clinical/practicum setting to complete the program. Applicants must also acknowledge these sites may require additional documentation (such as drug screening, criminal background checks, etc.) and that they will be responsible for providing this documentation and the costs associated with the requirement.

Master’s in Nursing: RN-MSN Program
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Associate degree or Diploma in Nursing or Concurrent enrollment at an institution for which ACE has a Concurrent Enrollment Partnership or 90 undergraduate semester credits	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
Applicants with an Associate degree, Diploma in Nursing, or 90 undergraduate semester credits must provide documentation of an active, unencumbered RN license. Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements. Applicants through a Concurrent Enrollment Partnership must provide proof of an unencumbered RN license before starting specific MSN coursework, as most clinical settings will require it. Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements. Acknowledgment of the requirement to have a clinical/practicum setting to complete the program. Applicants must also acknowledge these sites may require additional documentation (such as drug screening, criminal background checks, etc.) and that they will be responsible for providing this documentation and the costs associated with the requirement. All general education, and elective, courses must be completed before awarding of bachelor’s degree and matriculation to graduate portion of the program.

Master of Healthcare Administration
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned or Concurrent enrollment at an institution for which ACE has a Concurrent Enrollment Partnership	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
Acknowledgment of the requirement for a practicum setting to complete the program. Applicants must also acknowledge these sites may require additional documentation (such as drug screening, criminal background checks, etc.) that they will be responsible for providing and responsible for costs associated with the requirement.

Master of Public Health
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in public health OR bachelor’s degree and at least nine (9) credit hours in public health OR bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in public health.

Master of Business Administration
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
Submit a current resume. Undergraduate or post-baccalaureate in business OR 2 years in management position.* *If students do not have a bachelor’s or highest post-baccalaureate degree in a business-related field OR do not have any professional experience using a business background, students will need to take MGMT5003.

Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
Minimum Level of Education Required	Minimum Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Full Admission	Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Bachelor’s or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned	2.50	2.00
Other Requirements
None