Admission Requirements

There are six basic requirements that need to be met for consideration for admission into the Department of Special Education.

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the U.S.; or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
2. A satisfactory grade-point average (GPA); particularly during the last two years of college and in any graduate study previously undertaken. Although the minimum required GPA for the Graduate and International Admissions Center is 3.0, the Department will consider applications with lower GPAs.
3. GRE (Graduate Records Examination) General Aptitude Test--The General Test is composed of verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections. The average combined (verbal and quantitative) GRE score for doctoral students has been 1250 in the past. The average score for master’s students has been 1250. With the introduction of a new scoring system for the revised GRE (effective Fall 2011), we believe that a score of 150 or higher on the verbal section and 150 or higher on the quantitative section will make an application more competitive; however, it is important to note that there is no minimum GRE score requirement.
4. Three letters of recommendation, especially from professors who are familiar with the applicant's academic performance and potential.
5. Resume or Vita, with a recommended length of no more than 3 pages. The resume or vita should include: post-high school education; relevant work or volunteer experience (indicate amount of time); honors received; research experience; conference presentations; publications.
6. Statement of Purpose Essay describing the applicant's interests and commitment to the goals and curriculum of the area of specialization to which admission is sought. It is recommended that the Essay address not only the applicant’s personal and academic background but also his/her academic and professional goals. If the applicant has a specific area of research interest or wishes to work with a specific member of the Special Education faculty, the essay should address those topics as well. Profiles of SED faculty and their research interests can be found under the on this website.