Welcome to Graduate Education at Salem State University!
Welcome to Salem State University, where your unique journey to an advanced degree is supported by a vibrant academic community.
Our faculty are distinguished leaders in their fields, offering expertise that blends rigorous research, scholarship and creative activities with dedicated teaching. They value and integrate the varied backgrounds and experiences of our diverse community of learners, fostering collaboration and continuous development that will further you in your goals.
You are challenged to excel academically and professionally. Apply classroom knowledge directly to your career, forge valuable networks with faculty and local industries and engage in transformative research and scholarship.
Located in a historic setting that predates our nation's founding, Salem State inspires reflection and action. Whether you are new to our community or returning as a Viking, embrace the opportunity to expand your knowledge, refine your research skills and innovate.
As you pursue your advanced degree, I hope you have an intellectually exciting experience. The dedicated staff and administrators of the School of Graduate Studies are here to support your academic journey every step of the way, so please let us know how we can assist you.
Welcome to the Viking community!
Dean, School of Graduate Studies
Become a leader in your profession and in your community. Your graduate experience and the degree you earn will help you reach your goals.
Salem State prepares students of diverse backgrounds and interests to achieve their educational and career goals and to contribute to a global society as ethical and engaged community members. As a public university, Salem State contributes greatly to civic life, environmental sustainability and the North Shore region’s cultural, social and economic vitality.
Earning a graduate degree at Salem State is a transformative academic experience. One significant advantage is the emphasis on critical thinking, analytical skills and practical application, allowing you to delve deep into your chosen field, contribute to advancing knowledge and apply discipline-specific knowledge using nuanced and context-informed perspectives.
You will learn from esteemed faculty experts and collaborate with classmates who bring diverse perspectives and experiences. This dynamic learning environment fosters intellectual growth and encourages the development of strong professional networks.
What you learn in the classroom today, you can apply at work tomorrow.
• Understand and implement time and project management practices
• Present data and convey the value, importance and application of research
• Communicate with diverse stakeholders in multiple media
• Connect with classmates and faculty, learning from each other’s real-world experiences
Attend an Upcoming Graduate Admissions Event
Discover why Salem State University’s School of Graduate Studies is the right place for you!
Why You Should Choose Salem State University
At Salem State, the focus is on your education, passion and goals. You won’t find large lecture halls here. Instead, you’ll receive an education with individual attention from faculty who are experts in the field.
Balance your personal, professional and academic goals with flexible part-time or full-time study plans, with many programs offering online and hybrid courses.
Receive support from faculty and staff committed to your success beyond graduation, including letters of recommendation and access to career services.
Vikings have a strong and active alumni network, with graduates excelling in various industries As a student, you become part of this network, gaining access to valuable connections, mentorship opportunities and professional development experiences.
Salem State is classified by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) as an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) based on student demographics.
Photo by Jonathan Hillyer: Courtesy of
Shepley Bulfinch.
50+ graduate programs
miles north of Boston and less than a mile from downtown Salem 15
Campus Pride Index 4.5 out of 5 campuspride.org states and countries represented 40 47 student to faculty ratio 11:1 graduate students >1,300
Beyond the Classroom
Center for Research and Creative Activities
Salem State's Center for Research and Creative Activities (CRCA) supports the conduct and dissemination of the scholarly work of faculty, staff and undergraduate and graduate students. In support of scholarship, CRCA collaborates with the University Research Advisory Committee to offer internal grants for research and creative activities. Throughout the academic year, CRCA offers workshops, retreats, editing services and a statistical support program to assist in the writing and publication process, as well as lecture series and research symposia to highlight scholarship.
In addition to offering internal grants, CRCA works closely with the grants office to encourage the pursuit of external grants. One hundred percent of faculty research grants include student researchers.
Fulbright Scholars and Scholarships
Salem State is frequently named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars. Our faculty, staff and students have been awarded Fulbright grants to research and teach in places like Chile, Egypt, Finland, Greece, India, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. In the past two decades, Salem State has had over 20 Fulbright Scholars and nine Fulbright Specialists; three of our students have also received this distinction.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. It is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations worldwide also provide direct and indirect support to the program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given students, scholars, teachers, artists, professionals, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute solutions to shared international concerns.
Graduate and Research Assistantships
The School of Graduate Studies offers many graduate and research assistantship opportunities. An assistantship is a form of financial assistance provided to graduate students through part-time employment at the university. Both graduate and research assistants receive several benefits in return for their time and work, including tuition remission for fall and spring semesters and paid work hours.
There are two types of assistantships administered through the School of Graduate Studies:
— Jessica Cook, ’21, ’22G Graduate Assistantships provide students with professional development opportunities and work experience through involvement with projects that support university initiatives.
Research Assistantships link a graduate student with a faculty member to work on a meaningful research project, which may lead to a presentation at a conference, a joint publication, or other significant professional activity.
salemstate.edu/ graduate-assistantships
“I came to the graduate program in English with a BA from Salem State in English and a desire to continue my studies in literature. What I found exceeded my expectations: the classes were small, engrossing and rigorous, allowing me to build relationships with faculty and colleagues far beyond the classroom.”
Graduate Programs
Master of Arts (MA)
English History
Master of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching (MA/MAT) Dual Degree
English
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
English
English to Speakers of Other Languages (Licensure or Non-Licensure, also see Graduate Certificates) History
Mathematics (Initial License or Advanced Studies)
Middle School Mathematics (Initial License or Advanced Studies)
Physical Education
Spanish (Initial License or Advanced Studies)*
Business Programs
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Science, Accounting (MSA)
(Also see Graduate Certificates)
Nursing Programs
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
(Also see Graduate Certificates)
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Advanced Standing
Fall Start (On campus)
Online*
Master of Science (MS)
Athletic Training
Behavior Analysis
Counseling
Criminal Justice*
Geo-Information Science*
(Also see Graduate Certificates)
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Mathematics
Occupational Therapy
Master of Education (MEd)
Early Childhood Education (Initial License or Advanced Studies)*
Elementary Education (Initial License or Advanced Studies)*
Higher Education in Student Affairs
Leadership in Physical Education and Movement Studies
Library Media Studies*
Reading (Specialist Teacher of Reading License or Curriculum and Instruction)*
School Counseling
School Counseling and School Adjustment Counseling
Special Education (Initial License or Advanced Studies)*
Education Licensure-Only Programs
Early Childhood Education*
Elementary Education*
Library Media Studies*
School Adjustment Counseling
School Counseling
Secondary Science
Special Education*
Specialist Teacher of Reading*
Teacher of Mathematics
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Graduate Certificate Programs
Accounting*
Autism Spectrum Disorders*
Digital Studies*
Geo-Information Science*
Holocaust and Genocide Studies*
Nursing Education
Public History*
Sport Management and Development*
Teacher Leadership*
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Writing and Rhetoric
Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study
Educational Leadership*
Educat ¡ on ¡n Act ¡ on
Occupational Therapy Students Present Findings on the Impact of COVID-19 on Children at Statewide Conference
Story by Tian Quinn; edited by Jessica Cook
In late October 2022, occupational therapy graduate students Kiley Hall and Angelica Camacho Martinez presented at the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy (MAOT) 2022 Annual Conference. The conference celebrated its centennial year of supporting professionals and research in occupational therapy. Hall and Camacho Martinez presented during the first poster session, where conference attendees could hold personal conversations with the presenters.
Faculty research advisor professor Kathleen Schlenz has supported the pair throughout their research exploration in the MS in occupational therapy (OT) program. The degree involves a series of three scaffolded courses that ask students to choose a long-term research question to investigate and develop throughout the program. In doing so, students learn about OT research practices while applying real-world skills to create new knowledge. This past August, professor Schlenz encouraged Hall and Camacho Martinez to submit their ongoing research for consideration at the MAOT annual conference. The students’ proposals were accepted, and they presented their work to an audience of occupational therapy professionals.
Social Participation is one of nine everyday activities (or “occupations”) that occupational therapy professionals are trained to evaluate and treat in promoting health, wellness and quality of life. Hall’s presentation, titled Young Children’s Social Play Skills Post Pandemic , stems from Hall’s first-hand experience of observing the consequences of C OVID -19 on school-age children: social distancing, wearing masks and less social play. These observations inspired Hall to observe how social isolation has adversely affected children’s social play and development, how mitigation efforts during the pandemic impacted children, and how occupational therapists are addressing these concerns.
Kiley was inspired to observe how social isolation has adversely affected children’s social play and development, how mitigation efforts during the pandemic impacted children, and how occupational therapists are addressing these concerns.
Angelica’s (left) research analyzes discrimination in health and public education systems, asserting that implicit biases can harm how children perceive themselves, beginning as early as primary school.
For Hall, presenting at the MAOT conference was a significant opportunity to spread the word about her research. Hall felt comforted receiving feedback from other professionals, who recognized her work was important, and was fascinated by how other research projects presented overlapping questions and themes. Returning from the conference, Hall feels more confident that her work as a graduate student can substantially contribute to the field.
Education is another everyday activity where occupational therapy practitioners offer expertise. Camacho Martinez’s research, titled School-Based Occupational Therapy: Implicit Bias Self-Assessment Survey, is inspired by her experiences in public school systems, as a mentor for female-identifying students, and as a practicing occupational therapy assistant over the past decade. Camacho Martinez’s research analyzes discrimination in health and public education systems, asserting that implicit biases can harm how children perceive themselves, beginning as early as primary school. For the main investigation, Camacho Martinez asks how aware OT professionals are of how their implicit biases may impact the therapeutic relationship with school-age adolescents. Camacho Martinez notes that, as a Latin American woman, she experienced implicit and explicit biases throughout her childhood. While pursuing a career path in occupational therapy, Camacho Martinez has made sense of these experiences, inspiring her to support youth facing similar discrimination in their school systems. In the OT program, students are taught to regard their patients holistically; for Camacho Martinez, this holistic concept also extends to the OT practitioner themself, who should regularly engage in self-reflection. When presenting these ideas at the MAOT conference, Camacho Martinez notes that she felt anxious about presenting such a sensitive topic. However, Camacho Martinez says the audience of OT professionals received her work with kindness, openness and support.
Hall and Camacho Martinez are in the data collection phase of their research after receiving the necessary approval from the Institutional Review Board at Salem State. In this phase, OT students have full control over the data collection. For both Hall and Camacho Martinez, this means distributing exploratory questionnaires via Survey Monkey that ask OT professionals to reflect on their experiences related to each student’s research. After collecting data at the end of this year, Hall and Camacho Martinez will begin the analysis phase of their research projects.
In March 2023, Hall, Camacho Martinez, and their classmates in the graduating cohort of the master’s in occupational therapy program hosted the annual OT Graduate Student Research Conference at Salem State. At the event, students in the program, professionals in the field and Salem State community members talked with OT students about their research and scholarly achievements. As professor Schlenz says, the event is an opportunity to engage with Salem State’s dedicated OT students, who “represent the best for the future of our profession as they bring a depth of critical thinking balanced with a compassionate eye toward social justice for all those who could benefit from the health, wellness, access, and dignity that comes from an occupational lens on the lifespan .”
Educat
¡ on ¡n Act ¡ on
Honduras and much of Central America are experiencing extensive deforestation due to expanding coffee production. Global demand for coffee is rapidly growing, putting pressure on tropical regions worldwide to increase coffee production.
Professor Stephen Young (geography and sustainability) and graduate student Danny Szottfried (geo-information science) traveled to Honduras to teach local conservation organizations how to use drones and process geospatial data.
Educat ¡ on ¡n Act ¡ on
Professor and Graduate Student
Teach Droning in Honduras for Reforestation Work
Professor Stephen Young (geography and sustainability) and graduate student Danny Szottfried (geo-information science) traveled to Honduras to teach local conservation organizations how to use drones and process geospatial data. The Mesoamerican Development Institute sponsored their visit. As global demand for coffee grows rapidly, tropical regions like Honduras and much of Central America are experiencing increased pressure to increase production, resulting in growing deforestation.
Specifically, professor Young and Szottfried worked with the Café Solar Coffee Cooperative, members of the Mesoamerican Development Institute and the Honduran Youth Conservation Corps (supported by USAID and the U.S. Forest Service) to teach them how to fly drones and map coffee plantations as part of the creation of the Yoro Biological Corridor in Honduras. The goal of the Corridor is to reforest degraded lands to create a forest connection with Honduran National Parks where old-growth forest cover can be found. The drone mapping of coffee plantations will help find areas where coffee is not grown and where reforestation can take place. Coffee farmers will receive money through a European carbon offset program to plant trees and maintain forest cover. This initiative aims to eventually restore the forest cover to a denuded landscape. Additionally, it will provide a vital habitat for threatened
Due to Danny's (right) expertise, he ran the training in Honduras, which entailed one day of lectures and five days of hands-on fieldwork. The students that he trained will now run the mapping program and train other crews as they will ultimately map over 1,500 coffee plantations.
wildlife, such as the Quetzal, while safeguarding essential water supplies. Furthermore, this reforestation effort will contribute to sequestering carbon, helping combat climate change. Ultimately, it will also have a positive impact on the economic livelihood of the coffee farmers involved in the program. The trained youth will also have future conservation jobs mapping and monitoring the region with drones.
Szottfried is now an expert in droning, mapping and other geospatial techniques. Due to his expertise, he ran the training in Honduras, which entailed one day of lectures and five days of handson fieldwork. The students that Danny trained will now run the mapping program and train other crews as they will ultimately map over 1,500 coffee plantations.
When Szottfried was an undergraduate in the GIScartography program at Salem State, he received the Michael Ruane Award for Excellence in Digital Cartography as the top GIS student in the program. He currently works for New England Civil Engineering Corp. in Salem, where several other Salem State GIS graduates work.
The Mesoamerican Development Institute heard about Salem State when professor Young and graduate student Jeannette Maranda (geo-information science) ran a droning and mapping workshop in Guatemala in November 2022 for 15 conservation organizations across Central America, which the New England Biolabs Foundation funded. Salem State University has a wide impact on making our world more sustainable.
The drone mapping of coffee plantations will help find areas where coffee is not grown and where reforestation can take place.
Educat ¡ on ¡n Act ¡ on
Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Marta Garcia ’14G and her Daughter
Claudia Pueyo ’22 are Proud to Call
Themselves Vikings
Marta García moved to Salem in 2006 as part of a three-year visiting teaching exchange program. She had previously completed a similar program in Los Angeles—this time she brought her husband Javier and two young daughters Claudia and Jimena along on the adventure. The plan was to expand the young ones’ horizons, help them learn English and spend time together as a family before returning to their native Spain.
“We encountered an amazing and diverse community of immigrants from Europe and Latin America living in the North Shore,” García said. “The group would have big parties and get-togethers that highlighted local foods from everyone’s home countries.” The House of Seven Gables was an important touchpoint; their preschool program helped Jimena practice her English and introduced Marta and Javier to new friends. “The town and the people that we came to know were very family-oriented,” García explained, “and that encouraged us to stay in Salem.”
Only six years old at the time, Claudia has fewer memories of the move. “I didn’t fully appreciate how big a change it was,” she recalled. “It began to dawn on me over time like a delayed culture shock— but the hands-on nature of learning in the U.S. was so much more aligned with my learning style. I grew to be very grateful for our new community.”
Hitting their stride
Marta only had a temporary waiver to teach in Massachusetts. To secure her long-term credentials, she enrolled in Salem State’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) English to Speakers of Other Languages program. “It was immediately clear to me how embedded the university is in the life of the North Shore,” she said. “This is a place that belongs to the community, gives to the community and receives from the community.”
Marta was also impressed by the Salem State curriculum and the colleagues she encountered in the classroom. “The level of intellectual discourse was extremely high, including around topics like how we teach new languages and relate to students from different backgrounds,” García said. “A lot of what we discussed addressed issues of social justice. I know how important it is for my identity to speak my native language, so I can empathize with students who want to preserve that part of themselves even as they embrace a new culture and language.”
While Marta taught English-language learners in Salem Public Schools and attended courses at Salem State, Claudia was also hitting her stride: “It was great to have classmates who also spoke Spanish— even if we had different accents,” Pueyo said. “When I reached high school, I felt like I was living the American dream: playing sports, in the band, hanging with friends.” Claudia followed in her mother’s footsteps when she chose to attend Salem State to earn her nursing degree—a decision based on familiarity, proximity and a deep appreciation for the university’s commitment to social justice.
Breaking down barriers
However, the immigration process moves slowly. Even as the family became more deeply embedded in the community, they remained aware that their experience was different from those around them. For Claudia, this sometimes manifested in very tangible ways. She said, “For example, when I was applying to college, I wasn’t able to apply for federal financial aid. I’m proud to say I paid off college by myself, and that would not have been possible without the help of Salem State donor-supported scholarships. But when these kinds of things came up, there was almost a specter in the back of my mind saying ‘Oh, there are still some struggles that other people aren’t facing.’”
“We’ve dealt with issues related to immigration for so long,” said García, “but we also came with a certain level of privilege. I can empathize with the challenges that other immigrants are facing—and I’ve made it my mission to advocate for them. When you see that the system is preventing people from becoming who they want to become, it makes you wonder why things are like this and what you can do to change it.”
She approaches her teaching with that same commitment to empathy and equity—and her students and colleagues appreciate it deeply. What’s more, they aren’t the only ones who noticed. In 2022, Marta was named the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year in recognition of her work as a multilingual educator at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School. “The experience of receiving the award was amazing,” García said, “and I’m so happy to be able to say that a Salem State alum was the one to get it. This is another way to give back and celebrate the university.”
“The experience of receiving the award was amazing,” García said, “and I’m so happy to be able to say that a Salem State alum was the one to get it. This is another way to give back and celebrate the university.”
After earning her degree, Claudia began her career as a nurse working on a pulmonary rehab floor at Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Brighton—the same institution where she completed her clinical placement as a student. The connections she made during her time at the university helped her transition directly into the working world.
Alumni like Marta and Claudia demonstrate the unique role that Salem State plays in the North Shore. Welcoming students of all backgrounds and preparing them to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Passing on a legacy of learning from one generation to the next. Discovering a place to be yourself—and to be surrounded by others who respect and celebrate who you are. And finding your home.
Funding Your Education
How Much Does it Cost?
All charges subject to change.d
Completing
Your FAFSA and What Happens Next
Step 1
Go to studentaid.gov to establish an FSA ID and complete the FAFSA.
If this is your first time completing a FAFSA, you must create an FSA ID (federal student aid identification), which is your electronic signature.
Step 2
Once you are admitted to a program, Salem State will receive your FAFSA results and be able to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Communication will occur via your Salem State email account. Most awards will be split evenly over the fall/spring period. Students must register for at least six required credits a semester to receive federal assistance.
Types of Financial Aid
Salem State Scholarships
Visit salemstate.edu/scholarships to discover and apply for scholarships. The application is open from November 15-February 15, and awards are made for the following September.
Students are generally notified of their application status by June. Salem State has a robust scholarship program with over 200 scholarships awarded each year.*
Although graduate students are awarded many of the available scholarships, the following is a list specific to graduate-level studies:
• The Boylan Family Scholarship Award
• The Bill Bulloch Scholarship
• Joseph D. Geller ‘87G Scholarship Award
• Nancy D. Harrington ‘60 Endowed Scholarship
• Elaine S. Marks Prize
• Edna M. McGlynn Scholarship
• Michael Stockbridge ‘99, ‘01G Scholarship Fund
• Richard W. Webbe Graduate School Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Dr. Leonard P. Zani Endowment Fund
*Cumulative undergraduate and graduate offerings
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 each academic year with the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (the academic year is September-August). The interest is set every July 1. The federal government charges an origination fee of approximately one percent of the principal amount borrowed. studentaid.gov
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Students who need additional assistance above the $20,500 Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan may apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, a credit-based loan. studentaid.gov
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Generally reserved for master of social work students completing their internships (FAFSA must be completed). Other graduate students may contact the Student Navigation Center if interested in receiving FWS. Students who do not qualify for FWS may work on campus. salemstate.edu/work-study
HESA Assistantships (HA), Higher Education in Student Affairs
Awarded to fully admitted students enrolled in at least six credits a semester. The HA program covers tuition of up to nine credits a semester and pays a stipend for working on campus. Students are responsible for paying the fee portion of their bill (and tuition exceeding nine credits). The HA program is administered by the higher education in student affairs program. salemstate.edu/graduate-assistantships
Federal TEACH Grant
Students admitted into certain educational disciplines (bilingual education and English language acquisition, foreign language, mathematics, reading specialist, sciences, special education, and any other high-need field identified by the federal government) may apply for a federal TEACH Grant. Applicants must visit studentaid.gov to complete an Agreement to Serve or Repay and Entrance Counseling.
Recipients of the grant must promise to teach for four years (full-time) within eight years of completing their degree in a high-need subject matter and a particular geographic area. Failure to meet all the requirements will result in the grant being converted to an unsubsidized loan. studentaid.gov
Important Points to Remember
Acceptance: Students must be fully admitted to a degree program to receive federal financial aid. Certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid (except CAGS). Conditionally accepted students are also not eligible for federal aid until they meet the condition of their acceptance.
Payment Plans : Students may utilize a five-month payment plan to pay their semester charges (fall and spring) and a three-month payment plan to pay their summer charges. Payment plans can be established through your Navigator account. A service fee is assessed.
Private/Alternative Loans: Students not eligible for federal financial aid are encouraged to visit elmselect.com to explore and apply for a private/alternative loan.
Scholarship Searches : Students are encouraged to research private scholarships. Visit salemstate.edu/scholarships to explore our external scholarship opportunities.
Applyi n g to Salem State University
Visit salemstate.edu/apply to start your application!
Tips for a smooth application process
• Review the admissions requirements for your program of interest. Visit salemstate.edu/grad-reqs for program-specific admissions requirements.
• Check program application deadline(s) and work backward from the application deadline or start term. Start the online application, so you can receive application reminders and updates.
• Order official transcripts through your institution (or transcript evaluation if you attended an institution outside of the U.S.), take any required exams and organize any additional materials that a graduate program may require, such as a resume or prerequisite coursework. Electronic transcripts can be sent directly from your previous institution to gradadmissions@salemstate.edu .
References and personal statements
Most programs require three letters of recommendation and have varying requirements for personal statements. Please check your program of interest for additional information.
What happens next?
Once all materials are received, your application portfolio will be reviewed by graduate admissions, the School of Graduate Studies and the program coordinator. The decision timeline depends on each program. Once an admissions decision is made, it will be posted in your Navigator (navigator.salemstate.edu) account and communicated via email. Navigator is Salem State’s official student platform, which allows you to review your admissions decision and complete tasks related to the business of being a student.
Application Deadlines
Spring 2025 (January start)
December 13, 2024
Summer 2025 (May start) April 18, 2025
Fall 2025 (September start) July 25, 2025
Social Work: Online Advanced Standing Fall, Full-Time
Fall, Part-Time
Occupational Therapy (Fall 2025)
October 28, 2024
January 6, 2025
February 24, 2025
June 30, 2025
December 16, 2024
For applicants residing abroad, visit salemstate.edu/grad-deadlines for admissions deadlines.
