*Graduate and Professional Studies at McDaniel maintains the prerogative to require additional course work to more closely correspond with its expectations in content preparation and to reflect currency of knowledge. Candidates will not gain Full Acceptance to the BEST program without meeting this academic requirement. For more information: see Undergraduate Course Requirements for BEST Elementary Program or the BEST Program Handbook (PDF).

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Initial Admission Requirements

• Completed application for graduate study and fee.
• Official transcripts verifying completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 GPA (on a scale of 4.0).
• After admittance to the program, candidates must complete a criminal background record check through fingerprinting and disclosures. Background Check Requirements (PDF)

Full Acceptance Requirements

• Completion of all required undergraduate-level content courses.* See Undergraduate Course Requirements for BEST Elementary Program or the BEST Program Handbook (PDF) for more information.
• Three references.
• Academic skills assessments test scores that meet the Maryland State Department of Education minimum requirements.
• Appropriate Professional Dispositions as determined by the course instructors.

Degree Requirements

• Successful portfolio review documenting mastery of key teaching skills.
• One-semester teaching internship.
• Original research project on a topic related to classroom practice.