Application Process

To be accepted into the MACIE program, applicants must submit an application to the BGSU Graduate College. 

• The Graduate College only accepts online applications: Apply now or return to an existing application
• This online application form will prompt you to submit the necessary requirements, including submitting any relevant test scores, transcripts, your application essay, resume, letters of recommendation and other suggested forms, such as TOFL/IELTS scores for international applicants and DOS letters for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. 
• Please consult the BGSU Graduate Admission requirements to ensure that you meet basic requirements for admission to the university.

• Although the Graduate College at BGSU is waiving the GRE requirement, the MACIE program continues to accept GRE scores as an option if applicants wish to submit them.
  
• Alternatively, applicants may substitute an additional writing sample instead of GRE scores.

Additional writing sample

Program applicants should select either Option A or Option B and upload the writing sample directly to the Graduate College Application as an "Additional Document."

Option A: Essay

Write an essay that describes a topic that you would like to research while enrolled in the MACIE program.

This paper must:

• Address a topic or issue of relevance to the MACIE program. To ensure your topic is appropriate for MACIE curriculum, go to the MACIE Program Information page to learn more about our program of study.
• Your essay must include the following elements in this order:

1. An introduction that clearly articulates the topic or issue that you wish to investigate while in the MACIE program.  In the introduction, clearly state whether this issue is a world-wide phenomenon, a regional topic, or specific to a particular culture/country. 
2. Explain why you are interested in this topic.  Do you have personal, professional, or academic experience already with this topic? 
3. Include a short summary of some of the literature you have already read about this topic. Be sure to include appropriate and accurate citations in a consistent, recognized citation format relevant to the topic of the paper (ie, American Psychological Association [APA] for Education and Psychology; Chicago for History, or Modern Language Association for Humanities, etc.)
4. Include a short discussion of the significance of this topic, relating it back to why you would like to conduct research on this topic.
5. At the end, include a list of references in the appropriate citation style that you have cited in your essay.

• Your essay must be written in English, with attention to US spelling standards;  
• Your essay must be at least 750 words and no more than 1,500 words (3 pages to 5 pages) (double-spaced, 12-point font).    
• Failure to follow these guidelines precisely may disqualify your application to the MACIE program. 
• MACIE is a very rigorous program, and we expect our students to be ready for the academic work as graduate students. We encourage the applicants to be original, creative, logical, and to utilize critical and independent thinking in this essay. We use plagiarism and AI detection software in our screening of essays. Applicants who we have discovered have plagiarized or utilized any form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create an essay will be automatically disqualified from the application process. 

Option B: Master’s thesis

You can submit your thesis if you already have a master’s degree and wrote a thesis as a graduation requirement.

Contact macie@bgsu.edu if you are unsure that your academic paper or essay is appropriate and relevant.

• Unofficial Transcripts are acceptable for the application, but official transcripts must be sent if you are admitted and attend BGSU

• Your reasons for wanting to join the MACIE Program;
• How your background experiences have prepared you for the Program; and
• Your career goals

• Reflecting work history, professional and volunteer experience
• Highlight any educational and/or international experience

• Each recommendation consists of the 
  • (a) Reference Form (sent to recommender from admissions system), and
    
  • (b) a brief, 1-page letter of recommendation. Both documents should be submitted together by the recommender. We strongly suggest that at least one recommendation from an academic reference.
• The admissions system sends your recommenders a link for upload of recommendation documents.

• There will be no exceptions for the requirements outlined below.
  
• International Students are required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores, unless English is your first language, or you were educated in English-medium schools. If you are admitted with scores below the Graduate College recommended minimums (TOEFL IBT 80, IELTS 6.5, MELAB 77, PTE 53) or admitted without submitting scores,* you are required to take two English classes within your first two semesters of enrollment.
  
• Check out the Placement Assessment Information page (click the Graduate tab) for more information.

• To complete the application for a Graduate Assistantship, please:
  • Check the box for "interested in Graduate Assistantship" on the MACIE application
    
  • If you submitted a GRE score instead of a writing sample, you may need to submit a short essay (750 words, maximum) about: your research (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods and/or historical), teaching (informal, K-12, university, adult, etc.) and/or administrative skills; computer software/programs you have used academic and/or professional work; your experience with data collection, data analysis, and/or scholarly research; your ability to conduct research (such as reading, writing, speaking, translating, transcribing) in a language other than English; and how a graduate assistantship would enhance your professional development

• Graduate assistantship (GA) positions are awarded through each academic department. Many times, the MACIE program places incoming MACIE students in GA positions within the College of Education & Human Development, but sometimes, students apply to other departments and colleges. A list of open GA positions are usually listed on the Graduate Colleges' page, for more information check the Available Graduate Assistantships. 

• For Coverdell Peace Corps Fellows Program Applicants (United States Peace Corps), send a copy of your Description of Service. This is not required for the application, but the DOS must be submitted if you join our program to be considered a Coverdell Fellow.