School of Education sees 15% increase in applications to graduate programs
Bucking a national trend of declining interest in education degrees, applications to the William & Mary School of Education’s graduate programs remain strong this year. With nearly 500 applications to master’s and doctoral programs for 2017, the school has seen a 15% increase over the previous year.
Programs seeing the highest increases in applications are the M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the M.Ed. in School Counseling and the M.A.Ed. in Secondary Science Education. “We’re seeing strong interest across the spectrum of our programs, but it’s especially heartening to see so many excellent applicants for our counseling and science teacher preparation programs — areas with a high need for talented educators,” said Dot Osborne, assistant dean for academic programs and student services.
The pool of applications is a diverse one, with 10% from international students, 27% from students of color, and 16% from applicants seeking part-time study. Applicants hail from as close as Williamsburg, Virginia and as far away as Auckland, Australia.
The School of Education expects to enroll approximately 230 new students into 24 graduate programs this year. The Admissions Office has already begun notifying students with offers of admission; all applicants will have a decision by March 15, 2017.
Admitted students are invited to join the School of Education community at the Day for Admitted Students on March 31, 2017. In addition to tours, panel discussions and informational sessions, admitted students will have the opportunity to connect with faculty, current students and fellow admitted students. Students admitted to our higher education programs are also invited to that program's Day at William & Mary on February 27.
Alumni and current students are encouraged to share their reasons for choosing William & Mary on social media using the hashtag #WhyWM.
“We’re honored by the great interest we’ve seen from excellent students from across the country and world,” said Spencer Niles, dean of the School of Education. “We look forward to enrolling an outstanding new cohort of educators who will join us in our mission of transforming students, schools and communities."
