APPLY TO MESSIAH

Admissions requirements

Admissions Requirements

Regional Accreditation

While Messiah University requires graduate students to hold an undergraduate degree, applications for admission from students who have earned an undergraduate degree from a college or university in the United States that is not regionally accredited will be evaluated for admission on a case by case basis. Details can be found here.

Application Materials

Application materials can be uploaded through the Application Status page.

Transcripts can be emailed to, GradPrograms@messiah.edu or mailed to:
Graduate Enrollment Office
Messiah University
One University Ave
Mechanicsburg PA 17055

To find more information on application dates, please go to Preferred Application Dates.

Admissions Requirements for Business & Leadership

  • Official transcripts indicating a Bachelor's or Master's degree earned
  • Completed application
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (< 3.0 will be reviewed on a case by case basis)
  • Personal Statement of Purpose: Your 300-500 word statement should describe your preparations for graduate work, your reasons for applying for this particular graduate program at Messiah University and how this graduate program will help you meet your professional and educational goals
  • One recommendation (addressing your professional experience and/or academic performance, excluding relatives)
  • Resume

Downloadable PDF

Admissions Requirements for Counseling

  • Official transcripts indicating a Bachelor's or Master's degree earned
  • Completed application
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (< 3.0 will be reviewed on a case by case basis)
  • Personal Statement of Purpose: Your 300-500 word statement should describe your preparations for graduate work, your reasons for applying for this particular graduate program at Messiah University and how this graduate program will help you meet your professional and educational goals
  • Counseling Admissions Program Questions*
  • Successful completion of nine (9) credits of behavior science courses (e.g. psychology, human development & family science, sociology, anthropology, early childhood studies, social work) *
  • Two letters of recommendation (addressing your professional experience and/or academic performance, excluding relatives)*
  • Resume*
  • An interview (in person or online)*

* Not required for the CAGS w/out Field Experience

Downloadable PDF

Admissions Requirements for Education

  • Official transcripts indicating a Bachelor's or Master's degree earned
  • Completed application
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (< 3.0 will be reviewed on a case by case basis)
  • Personal Statement of Purpose: Your 300-500 word statement should describe your preparations for graduate work, your reasons for applying for this particular graduate program at Messiah University and how this graduate program will help you meet your professional and educational goals
  • One recommendation (addressing your professional experience and/or academic performance, excluding relatives)
  • Resume

Downloadable PDF

Admissions Requirements for Higher Education Leadership

  • Official transcripts indicating a Bachelor's or Master's degree earned
  • Completed application
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (< 3.0 will be reviewed on a case by case basis)
  • Personal Statement of Purpose: Your 500-1000 word statement should describe your reasons for applying for the Graduate Program in Higher Education Leadership at Messiah University, how this graduate program will help you meet your professional and educational goals, and identify an issue in higher education that you will be better equipped to address as a result of your participation in this program.
  • One recommendation (must be someone currently working in Higher Education who is able to address your professional experience and/or academic performance)
  • Resume

Downloadable PDF

Admissions Requirements for Music

  • Official transcripts indicating a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Music earned
  • Completed application
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (< 3.0 will be reviewed on a case by case basis)
  • Personal Statement of Purpose: Your 300-500 word statement should describe your preparations for graduate work, your reasons for applying for this particular graduate program at Messiah University and how this graduate program will help you meet your professional and educational goals
  • A 15-20 minute recording of the applicant conducting a live performance/rehearsal of a self-prepared ensemble **
    • Applicant needs to conduct with camera facing the conductor showing common meters.
    • Applicant must submit video exhibiting two, contrasting styles
  • Recorded example of applicant playing in the keys of G major, F major, Eb major, and their relative
    natural minors * **
    • Scales: two octaves, hands together, ascending and descending
    • Chord Progression: I – IV6/4 – I – V6/5 – I; i – iv6/4 – i – v6/5 – i
  • Two letters of recommendations (addressing your professional experience and/or academic performance, excluding relatives)*
  • Resume*
  • A list of performed or rehearsed repertoire in the major conducting area * **
  • Access to a performing ensemble in the applied area for use in the capstone requirement * **

* Not required for the CAGS
** Not required for the MME

Downloadable PDF

Information on Admissions requirements