College of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm an MAT student.  What does it mean to apply to the Teacher Education Program? 

Students seeking an initial teaching license must be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program.  You can apply after you have completed 12 hours of course work
       with at least a 3.0 GPA.  Read more about the Teacher Education Program.
 

I am in a cohort that meets off campus.  Can I check out materials from the Dacus Library? 

Yes.  Any student admitted to any degree program has full access to all campus resources.
 

Do I have to take the GRE for admission? 

Different programs have different admission requirements.  Consult the Graduate Catalog for specifics on your program or contact the Graduate Studies office.
 

What is a Program of Studies? 

Your Program of Studies (POS) is a degree checklist that details the classes you need to take before graduation.  You fill this out in consultation with your academic advisor.
 

Can I change my Program of Studies?

Yes. Consult your advisor to file an official change form with Records and Registration.
 

When I applied, I had a registration hold placed on me.  What does this mean? 

A registration hold means that we are awaiting official confirmation of a document that  
we need to fully admit you.  This may mean that we have seen unofficial transcripts or
       test scores but are waiting for the official copies to be sent the Graduate School.
 

How long does it take to be admitted to graduate school? 

Once all of your materials have been submitted, we can make an admissions decision within a week, assuming the required people are on campus.  It can take several weeks
       for official test scores and transcripts to show up, so you should plan accordingly.
 

Can I transfer in other graduate credits? 

Yes. Assuming the hours are appropriate for your degree, you may transfer in up to 12 graduate hours from previous graduate study.  Consult your advisor for more information.
 

How can I find out who my advisor is? 

If you log into Wingspan, your advisor should be listed there.  You can also find a list of graduate advisors in the College of Education on our Advising page.
 

What financial aid is available to me as a graduate student? 

Financial aid for graduate students at Winthrop University usually consists of student loans, modest scholarship awards, or graduate assistantships.  Financial aid is
       available for students fully admitted into a degree program.  Students admitted Graduate
       Non Degree (GND) are not eligible for financial aid.  Students registered for at least 6
       semester hours are eligible to apply for student loans.  Read more about Financial Aid
       at Winthrop University.  Additionally, the College of Education can provide limited
       financial assistance in the form of Graduate Assistantships, Winthrop Graduate
       Scholarships, and named scholarships.
 

What is a Graduate Assistantship (GA) position? 

Graduate Assistantships (GA) pay for 9 semester hours (full time for a graduate student), and a small stipend.  Typical stipends are $1800 a semester, though they
       may be different depending on the assignment.  This requires that a student work 20
       hours a week for the university in a capacity determined by the assistantship.
 

How do I apply for a GA position?

Please visit the Graduate School for a Graduate Assistantship application.  The application can be sent to the Graduate Studies office, 106 Withers.  Assistantships
       are competititve, and are typically hired by the department needing the GA.
       The Graduate Studies office maintains all applications in a database.  People looking to
       hire GA's will use that database to choose GAs.  Find out who to contact about
       an assistantship.
 

Where do I get my Winthrop ID? 

Winthrop student identification cards are issued by the Technology Services Office in Tillman Hall Room 15 upon a student's initial enrollment.  The first ID card is free;
       replacement ID cards are $10 each.  All students are required to have an identification
       card.  ID cards are non-transferable and must be presented to appropriate university
       officials upon request.  The Technology Services Office hours are from 8:00 am until
       8:00 pm for the fall and spring semesters and 8:00 am until 6:00 pm for summer
       sessions.  For specific questions concerning ID cards, contact the Technology Services
       Office, 803/323-4774.
 

Where do I park for classes? 

Parking is available in student lots immediately adjacent to Withers Hall (where most
education classes are held) and the West Center (where most Physical Education
       classes are held).  Specific information on parking from the campus police site follows.
       A parking permit is required.  Read more about parking on campus.