College of Education

Teaching Adult Learners Admissions

Teaching Adult Learners Graduate Certificate

Admissions

Apply now!

  • Start anytime! Applications are accepted for every term. Check application deadlines here
  • GRE is not required
  • Easy application process (See Application Checklist)

Admissions instructions

Before applying to our program you must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. To be considered for regular admission, applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or the equivalent (on the U.S. 4.0 scale). Applicants who have earned 9 or more letter-graded graduate credits must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent; this graduate GPA supersedes the undergraduate GPA.

  1. Check the application deadline for your program.
  2. Make sure you have everything ready from the Application Checklist.
  3. Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
  4. Select "Start New Application" and then "Graduate Application." Do not select "Non-degree". You will not be able to upload the necessary documents with the non-degree application, and your application will not be considered.
  5. For the college, select "College of Education"
  6. For the program of study, select "Educational Leadership and Policy: Teaching Adult Learners, Certificate"

Applicants are responsible for ensuring all application materials are received by the department by the appropriate deadline. Faculty will review applications only after all application materials have been received. A timely admission decision cannot be guaranteed for incomplete applications. However, since the program reviews applications continuously, students should apply as soon as possible even if they missed the original deadline.

You will be notified of your official admission status via email from the Graduate School. Only after you are officially admitted you will be able to register for courses. The whole admission process may take up to 4 weeks to complete. Please plan accordingly.

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply. If you need to change the term for which you intend to begin classes after you have submitted your application, please contact the ELP Department at elpadmit@pdx.edu to discuss your options.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Please note that admission to a graduate certificate program will not qualify you for an I-20 or F-1 student visa to study in the United States. You will need to be admitted to a Master's or Doctoral degree program in order to be eligible to add a graduate certificate.

Questions about the application process?

If you have questions about the application process, contact askcoe@pdx.edu.
Learn about available scholarships and financial aid.

Application checklist

If you are currently officially admitted to one of the ELP Master’s programs (PACE, LSE, or Master’s plus IAL) and are registered for classes, complete one electronic GO-19 form for each certificate you wish to earn. You will receive a notification once the form has been processed. If you have questions, contact elpadmit@pdx.edu.

If you are not currently admitted to any ELP Master’s or Doctoral degree program*, complete the rest of the following steps:

  • Program-specific application
  • Résumé
  • Personal statement (writing prompt provided within application)
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted by the College of Education for the program application. You only need to submit transcripts from institutions that you earned a degree from and where any graduate coursework was taken. Additional unofficial transcripts may be sent in if it significantly improves your application GPA. If admitted, you must send in official transcripts from each degree-granting school and any graduate school. More information on submitting official transcripts can be found on the Graduate Admissions page.
    • Acceptable unofficial transcripts are:
      • Web-based transcripts downloaded from an institution: institution and student name must be visible on transcripts
      • Photocopies of official transcripts: these must include the front and back of all pages, including transcript key
    • Previous applicants:
      • If you’ve previously submitted official transcripts to PSU, you are still required to upload unofficial transcripts to complete your application.
  • After you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to:
    • The Graduate School
      Portland State University
      PO Box 751
      Portland, OR 97207 - 0751
      Electronic official transcripts should be sent to graddocs@pdx.edu

Retention of Student Documents

All application documents submitted to PSU become the property of the University and may not be copied or returned to a student. Transcripts from other institutions cannot be copied. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email elpadmit@pdx.edu.