MS in Special Education Admission & Application Requirements
Deadlines
- Spring: November 15 (priority deadline)
Applications are often accepted after the deadlines posted below when space is available. Please contact the Graduate Studies Office if you have questions.
- Online graduate application
Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.
- $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications
After you complete the Graduate Online Application:
- Log in to eServices with your StarID.
- Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.
Note: Upon completion of the application form in step one, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days giving instructions for the remaining steps and completing the program application in Part 2. Please note that the steps below cannot be completed until you receive that email. If you do not receive the email with Self Service Center instructions, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Contact ALL the colleges and universities you have attended and have your transcripts sent to:
Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; major in education, special education or related field (e.g., speech and language pathology, school psychology, psychology) required. If pursuing licensure, candidate must hold a current MN teaching license
This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits
This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.
- Special Education Application Form
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- Select “Continue” to access the extended program application and fill in all information. Be sure to “Submit Application” when you have completed all aspects.
Reflect on your responses to the EDA and prepare a 1,000- 1,200 word essay.
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
- Upload both documents (EDA and essay) by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
- Two recommendations; school administrator, former employer, or professor
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- If you have not submitted contact information yet, select “Continue” to go into your application and complete program app and recommender information.
- After clicking “Submit Application” you will need to contact the Graduate Studies Office for any recommender information changes.
- Your recommenders will receive an e-mail from the Graduate Studies Office asking them to fill out the recommendation form.
- To check the status of your recommendations later, select “Summary” in the Applications tab.
- Copy of Minnesota Teaching License
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
- Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
Tk20 is the online assessment management system used by Teacher Education at MSUM. Tk20 will allow students and faculty access all metrics utilized in the generation of data for self-assessment and continuous improvement purposes as well as state and national accreditation of our Teacher Education/Preparation Programs.
Subscription to Tk20 will be required upon admission into the Special Education Graduate Program with a one-time payment of $110.
Master of Science in Special Education Application Deadlines
- 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) is required.
- TOEFL scores-550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
- IELTS score of 6.5
For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@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
Chat help for applicants is available.
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