Find Out What You Need to Apply
Erikson Institute Admissions Requirements
Review these requirements prior to submitting your application.
You Belong At Erikson
With your Erikson Institute experience, you’ll be better prepared to support children and families in reaching their fullest potential. Join us in our mission and take the first step today.
Have a question about your application or the process?
No GRE Required
You are more than a number. We take a holistic view of every student’s story, helping more future early childhood leaders access the higher education they deserve.
Intellectual Curiosity
Erikson Institute promotes collaborative and creative thinking to create lasting change that empowers professionals and positively impacts children.
Commitment to Children and Families
Our graduate students are motivated to serve the children and families in their communities so they can achieve optimal educational, social, emotional, and physical well-being.
Graduate Application Requirements
Rolling Review – Apply Any Time Before the Final Deadline
We review completed applications on a rolling basis for all term starts. This means your application will be evaluated as soon as it is complete, up until the final deadline for that term.
For priority consideration for service-based grants and program-specific scholarships, we encourage you to apply by the early decision deadline. Click on your program of interest below to view all applicable deadlines. (see program information below).
Some degree programs may also set specific deadlines that are not tied to a particular term start date.
MS Child Development – Core
Prepare to work with children, birth to age 8, and their families, in a wide range of non-clinical settings that can include: early childhood education and childcare programs, informal education programs within museums and zoos, and early childhood research, policy and advocacy organizations.
| Term Start | Final Deadline | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Online, Hybrid |
MS Child Development – Child Life
Help children and families cope with chronic and acute illness, injury, or trauma in a health care setting as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Embedded practicums help you experience both hospital and community-based child life roles.
| Term Start | Final Deadline | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 31, 2026 | On-Campus |
MS Early Childhood Education (Licensure) with Triple Endorsements
Opportunity for service-based grants available at 100% funding for those who apply by the early decision deadline.
| Term Start | Final Deadline | 3 Embedded Endorsements | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Early Childhood Education, ESL/Bilingual Education, Early Childhood Special Education/LBS1 | Online |
MS Early Childhood Education — Early Intervention
Opportunity for service-based grants available at 40% funding for those who apply by the early decision deadline.
| Term Start | Final Deadline | Concentration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Early Intervention | Online |
Master of Social Work
Opportunity for service-based grants available at 40% funding for those who apply by the early decision deadline.
NOTE: Students seeking full-time status must be admitted by August 1, 2026.
| Term Start | Final Deadline | Concentration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Children, Adolescents and Adults Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Advanced Standing | Hybrid, Online Hybrid, Online Hybrid, Online |
Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Apply by the early decision deadline in order to be considered for scholarship funding valued at 75% of the program’s cost.
| Term Start | Final Deadline | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Online |
Certificate in Social and Emotional Learning
Apply by the early decision deadline in order to be considered for scholarship funding valued at 100% of the program’s cost.
| Term Start | Final Deadline | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Online |
Admission for the PhD in Child Development is currently on hold. Please visit PhD in Child Development for more information.
Erikson Admissions Requirements
Master’s Degree, Licensure and Graduate Admissions Requirements
Have a question about any step of the process?
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0 OR 3.0/4.0 from a completed master’s degree at the time of application. Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of academic, professional, and life experiences.
Resume
Include the latest copy of your resume with your application, highlighting your most relevant experiences.
Master’s and certificate applications require two essays: one program-specific, and one leadership-driven.
Letters of Recommendation
Two professional/academic letters of recommendation for Master’s Degrees; One professional/academic letter of recommendation for Certificate Programs.
Transcripts
Copy of official or unofficial transcripts from the bachelor’s degree (earned or in-progress at the time of application) and for any courses taken beyond the bachelor’s degree, including any earned master’s degree or higher.
NOTE: Official transcripts will be required by the end of the first semester at Erikson.
TOEFL
Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if applicable, taken within two years at the time of your admission.
We Welcome International Students
Learn more about the additional requirements for international students and available scholarships.
More than 90% of Erikson Students Receive Financial Aid
As a premier graduate school for early childhood development, Erikson participates in several federal and state financial aid programs and awards over $2.5 million in scholarships each year.
Join Us at an Upcoming Admissions Event
Meet an alum or current student, and ask your biggest questions at our next Erikson event.
Further Your Education
Create a Better Future For Children While Building Yours
Embark on your early childhood graduate program path at Erikson Institute and start changing lives.