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:
- 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.
- Department Application and Program Information: Download the form, resave with your information and email
- Statement of Purpose/Research Goals: Download the goal statement instructions in PDF format
- 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.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (ETS University Code 1465)
- 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.
- Vita or Resume: List professional experience, awards, honors, publications, presentations, professional affiliations, and professional development activites.
- 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.
