Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All AGSE courses are post-baccalaureate level.

Yes. AGSE accepts learners from anywhere in the world.

No. All course content is in English. Additionally, AGSE courses require participation in a virtual learning community of peers from all over the world. These interactions are conducted in English.

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must take a test demonstrating their knowledge of English. An applicant must score at least 530 (on the paper-based exam), or at least 213 (on the computer-based exam) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or at least an overall 6.5 with no individual sub-score below 6.0 on the International English Language Test (IELTS).

Yes. Learners may begin in the fall or spring.

Up to six credits from an accredited institution may be evaluated for transfer.

AGSE offers an interest-free monthly payment plan.

Simply click on the "Have Questions?" link on every page, or contact the Office of Financial Services at financial.services@agse.edu.

You pay for your courses at the time of enrollment via our secure online payment system.

Learners may pay by check, money order, wire transfer, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). All payments must be in U.S. Currency.

Each state has its own set of criteria for the issuance and renewal of credentials. Prospective students interested in the credential process should check with the Credential Commission within their State's Department of Education for detailed information before enrollment. AGSE will assist students in providing any reasonable information that may be required in the credential process. The Program is designed to service a national market and does not purport to provide licensure, credential certification or salary advancement in any particular state and/or school district. Applicants interested in licensure, credential certification and/or salary advancement are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) and their respective human resources department before enrollment.

No. Academic and administrative procedures are carefully designed so that students can complete coursework entirely through directed independent study, without unreasonably disrupting their professional and family lives.

In the United States, the acceptance of transfer credits between institutions lies within the discretion of the receiving college or university taking into account such factors as course content, date completed, grades, and accreditation. In spite of the view of the U.S. Department of Education that all accreditation recognition is equal, some institutions have very restrictive policies for accepting transfer credit. If you plan to transfer credits earned at AGSE, or enroll in another program at a later date, you are urged to check with the other institution(s) before enrollment in the Program.

In every measurable way, yes! DETC accreditation is just as valid as any regional accreditation, and the Secretary of Education has officially recognized DETC since 1959 and by the Council for Higher Education and its predecessors since 1975. DETC accreditation meets the precisely same standards as the regionals, and have vastly more experience and tougher, more stringent standards for distance learning than any other agency in the U.S.

Yes, and in many cases even more effective. In May 2009, the United States Department of Education released a report that looked at 12 years' worth of education studies, and found that online learning has clear advantages over face-to-face instruction. The study, "An Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies," stated that “students who took all or part of their class online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.”

“Attendance” is at times that are convenient to you. We do recommend that learners login at least three times each week in order to stay current with the coursework and virtual learning community activities.

Most courses are a semester long. The only exceptions are Portfolio Project (EDC #610) and Mentored Practicum (EDC #620), which take two semesters to complete.

There are no textbooks required for the Master of Arts in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Secondary Education, or Master of Education in English as a Second Language programs. The Master of Education in Special Education program requires two textbooks.

The time will vary from learner to learner. The online activities include reading the content, completing assignments/quizzes, and interacting with the virtual learning community. Learners will spend about 3-4 hours online during a week.

Program length depends on how many courses are taken at a time. Our learners typically take two courses each semester because they are teaching full-time as well. On this schedule it will take three years to complete your master's degree. You may be able to complete your degree in significantly less time if you are able to enroll in more than two courses per semester.

System Requirements
You will need to meet the following minimum requirements to participate in AGSE courses:

Operating System: Windows XP or Mac OS X
Browser: Internet Explorer 7 or 8, Mozilla Firefox 3.5 or later, Chrome 5 or 6, or Safari 5
Javascript: Javascript must be enabled.
Screen Resolution: 1024 X 768
Plugins: Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader
Internet Connection: A high speed internet connection such as cable or DSL is recommended.

Learners need to have Microsoft Word for each course. If you are unable to obtain Microsoft Word, you may use OpenOffice, a free, Word-compatible program.

No. Communications will be held asynchronously via the virtual learning community forums and email. Skype, a form of synchronous communication, is used at the discretion of the Learning Coach and is optional.