Apply to the Special Education Masters Program

Application Deadline: February 15

Students are admitted Summer/Fall only- there are no rolling admissions for the Special Education Masters Program (major code: 6742). 

Missed the deadline?

*If you are interested to start taking courses before applying to the masters program you can apply to take classes with the MSU Lifelong Ed. program. Here is the Lifelong Ed. Program website. For more information regarding Lifelong, please contact Erin Minnema. 

Application Steps:

An applicant for admission to the master's degree program in special education (major code: 6742) is required to submit:

Step 1:

Complete the University Application. Please use major code: 6742.

For those students choosing the ASD Endorsement only option (this option is only available for students who have already have a master's degree and have obtained a certification or endorsement in a different disability area). You will need to fill out a Lifelong Education application instead of the University application.

Step 2:

Complete the Special Education Department Application.

Step 3:

Submit three (3) letters of recommendation on letterhead stationery of the recommender's school or company.

•  We strongly recommend that you seek letters of recommendation from those who can speak directly to your ability for graduate study, as well as from persons who are knowledgeable about your teaching competence and experience.

Step 4:

Submit a goal statement. Need guidelines?

Step 5:

Submit two (2) official copies of your transcripts from all previous institutions attended. These transcripts must be sent directly from the institution. Please contact the Registrar's Office at the institutions you attended for the appropriate procedures and fee information. (Please note: if you are a previous MSU student, we are able to gather your MSU transcripts and you do not need to have them sent).

Step 6:

Send us your resume.

Step 7:

Send us a copy of your teaching certificate.

Send all materials to:

Mellissa Davis
Special Education
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane, Room 335
East Lansing, MI   48824-1034

Email: davisme@msu.edu

Criteria for Admission

Applications are reviewed by faculty who look for indications of high probability of success. The following factors are significant in determining admission to the program:

1. GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last two years of undergraduate study and in all graduate courses
2. Valid teaching certificate
3. Experience working with children and youth with disabilities (e.g., in a school or camp program) that is acceptable to the faculty. Ideally, the experience should be related to the applicant's planned area of emphasis.
4. Professional goals that are consistent with the objectives of the program.
5. Two official copies of transcripts
6. Current resume

Requirements for the English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to be proficient in English as a condition for regular admission to MSU. Such applicants will be required to demonstrate their proficiency by meeting certain minimum standards on any one of the following tests:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
• Michigan State University English Language Test

More details about these assessments and minimum scores required by the University are given in the “Application for Graduate Study,” p. 10, http://grad.msu.edu.

Contact Us:

sped@msu.edu

517-355-1837