MS in Special Education Admission & Application Requirements
Master of Science in Special Education Application Deadlines for Summer 2025, Fall 2025 & Spring 2026
- Summer: April 15 (priority)
- Fall: July 1 (priority)
- Spring: November 15 (priority)
Steps to Apply
You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
- Complete the three general application sections.
- Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
- Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.
Master of Science in Special Education Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- A major in education, special education, or a related field, such as speech language pathology, school psychology, or psychology.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.
Master of Science in Special Education Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume.
- Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
- If you attended MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions, you can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices, contact graduate@mnstate.edu and we can assist.
- Upon admission, you must request official transcripts from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework. Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
- MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.
- Educator Disposition Assessment- Complete the assessment form and upload it to the Document section of the application.
- Prepare and essay/reflection of your responses to the EDA (1,000-1,200 words).
- Two recommendations from school administrators, former employers, or professors.
- A copy of your Minnesota teaching license.
- Subscription to TK20, an online assessment management system used by Teacher Education at MSUM, is required upon admission to the MS in Special Education.
International Student Requirements
- An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
- The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- For students whose native language is not English, or who were not taught in English, an official score from either TOEFL (6678 MSUM code) or IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead), or Duolingo English Test (Share Score with Minnesota State University Moorhead) is required.
- TOEFL scores of 550 (PBT) or 78-80 (iBT)
- IELTS overall band score of 6.5
- DET score of 120
For questions about the program or the application process please contact the Admissions Office at 218.477.2161 or email admissions@mnstate.edu.
Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.
Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
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