Apply to the Special Education Doctoral Program

Doctoral Admission Procedures

The Special Education application deadline is December 1st.

If possible, don’t wait until the December 1st deadline to apply. Access to fellowships and the program itself are facilitated by submitting your materials before the deadline.

Please send all materials to:

Mellissa Davis

Special Education

Erickson Hall

620 Farm Lane, Room 335

East Lansing, MI   48824-1034

For general inquiries:

sped@msu.edu

517-355-1837

 

Application Process

An applicant for admission to the doctoral degree program in special education is required to submit:

1. University Graduate Application: To complete this application on-line or to download an application, go to the Graduate School website and click on apply under the Prospective Students tab.
2. Department Application and Program Information: Download the form, Special Education 1727.
3. Statement of Purpose/Research Goals: Download the goal statement instructions in PDF format
4. Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation should be submitted on letterhead stationery of the recommender's school or company along with the graduate Recommendation for Admission form. Recommendations from college instructors is preferred.
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (ETS University Code 1465)
6. University Transcripts: Two (2) offical copies from all previous institutions attended. These transcripts must be sent directly from the institution; please contact the Registrars Office at the instituions you attended for the appropriate procedures and fee information.
7. Vita or Resume: List professional experience, awards, honors, publications, presentations, professional affiliations, and professional development activites.
8. Writing Samples: A scholarly writing sample (e.g., master's thesis or project, published article, research presentation, paper written for a graduate course) should be submitted that shows the applicant's capacity to think critically, review relevant information and analyze data, and draw reasonable conclusions.

Requirements for 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 can be found here.