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B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education

Admission Criteria and Procedures

Students must apply directly to the School of Education if they wish to major in Elementary Education; this application process typically begins during the second semester of a student's sophomore year. Students must be admitted to the program in order to register for courses listed on the program of study beyond the Freshman/Sophomore years.

The application opens on March 1st each year. Our admissions process is holistic as well as competitive: we seek a diverse array of students who are committed to academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievement. Successful students exhibit:

  • Academic achievement to date as exhibited by grades, course load, and recovery from academic setbacks.
  • Personal attributes and life experiences that illustrate resilience in the face of challenges, ethical character, openness to diverse perspectives, and collaborative ability.
  • Strong communication skills as demonstrated by one's application essays.

Undergraduate students interested in Elementary Education must apply for admission to the School of Education, typically  during the spring semester of the sophomore year.

Transfer students should apply to the School of Education after being admitted to William & Mary.  The evaluation of any transfer credit will take place only after a student has accepted an offer of admission from the University.

Complete the online application, which opens on March 1st each year.  Typically decision letters typically go out within three weeks of receipt of a completed application.  Applications for the Fall semester should be submitted no later than August 30; Applications for spring should be submitted no later than December 15. The only courses you can register for without being admitted are EDUC 200, EDUC 301, EDUC 310 and ELEM 441.

Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply to the program; however, meeting this minimum benchmark does not guarantee admission.  Applicants must supply:

  • Online application
  • WM unofficial transcript; Transfers should also supply an unofficial transcript from their previous school.
  • Personal Essays

Students transferring from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland or other institutions should consult the transfer credit guidelines available on the University Admissions website to determine how their coursework will transfer to William & Mary.