Special Education Department Application Packet

Please use the matrix below according to the Special Education Program you wish to apply. Be sure to complete steps 1-8 to ensure all applicantion requirements are met. Supplemental program information and forms provided in the section marked "additional information by program."

Additional Information by Program:

IEEP Checklist

VIL Supplmental Information

Secondary Dual Educator Program (SDEP) applicants should consult Continuing Education (CEED) program pages

Added Endorsement in Special Education (AddSPED) should consult Continuing Education (CEED) program pages

Infant Toddler Mental Health (ITMH) graduate certificate applicants should consult Continuing Eduction (ITMH) program pages

Admission Process Details:

1. Admission Deadlines (top)

All application materials MUST be received by the deadline. To ensure a timely delivery of application materials, applicants should begin the process several months in advance. You must also submit application material for Portland State Graduate Admission.

2. Prerequisite Coursework (top)

Prerequisite coursework are required classes that must be completed by the applicant prior to applying to the program.

It is advisable to begin prerequisite courses as soon as possible. If you plan to take eight or fewer credits per term at Portland State University and are not currently a student you may register as a Quick Entry non-admitted student. A first-time registrant must submit a Quick Entry Application Form to the Office of Admissions and Records so that a registration file can be created. The application is available on-line or at the Office of Admissions and Records in 105 Neuberger Hall. There is a one-time $10.00 fee for this process. Quick Entry/Non-Admitted students are not eligible to receive financial aid. Please allow 48-72 hours for your registration record to be created. Consult the Schedule of Classes for course offerings and registration information at: http://www.sa.pdx.edu/soc/

Course Substitutions

You may have previously taken a course(s) that can serve as a substitution for a prerequisite. An approved substitute course must have been completed within seven years prior to beginning the special educator program.

If you want a course you have taken reviewed, in order to determine if it can serve as a substitute for a prerequisite, fill out and submit the Special Education Course Substitution form to the department. You must attach to the form the following documentation:

• The course syllabus (if available)
• The official course description from the university or college bulletin/catalog.
• A copy of your transcript showing when you took and course and course grade (an unofficial copy is OK)

A faculty member will review and respond to your request in writing. You can pick up a copy of the Special Education Course Substitution Form in room 204 of the Graduate School of Education or we can mail it to you.

If you have taken any of the prerequisites at any Oregon state college or university within the past 7 years they should appear on your transcripts and will not require an equivalency waiver. HOWEVER, if you have taken courses at a private college or out-of-state college or university that you feel would be equivalent to the prerequisites you will need to submit an official Course Substitution Form.

Some of these courses are also offered at area community colleges. In the chart below the locations and courses numbers of equivalent courses are shown.

VIEW EQUIVALENT COURSES AT OREGON UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES

3. Program Application (top)

To apply to the Added Endorsement in Special Education, Early Intervention Special Educator, Elementary / Secondary Special Educator, or Visually Impaired Learner graduate programs, you must submit a Department of Special Education application. If you are applying to the Inclusive Elementary Educator Program or Secondary Dual Educator Program, please use the program specific application. Mail to: Special Education-SPED, Graduate School of Education, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751 or deliver to Graduate School of Education, Room 204. Be advised that in addition to the program application you must also apply for Portland State Graduate Admission, please consult information below for more details.

4. Transcripts (top)

In order to be considered for admission to Special Education graduate programs applicants must submit two (2) sets of official transcripts from every college or university attended. One set goes to the University Admissions office, and the other goes to the Special Education Department. For the department, have the transcripts sent to yourself and then submit them as part of the application packet. PSU transcripts submitted to the Special Education Department must be official copies. In addition, Early Intervention Special Educator, Elementary / Secondary Special Educator, and Visually Impaired Learner program applicants must fill out submit a SPED Transcipt Review Form with their admission packet. Inclusive Elementary Educator Program applicants are to fill out and submit an IEEP Transcipt Review Form with their admission packet. Added Endorsement in Special Education are to use the AddSPED Transcript Review Form. Currently, Secondary Dual Educator Program applicants are not required to submit any transcipt review form with their application material.

5. Resume (top)

Applicants to the Early Intervention/Special Educator, Elementary / Secondary Special Educator, Visually Impaired Learner program and Add Special Education Endorsement (AddSPED) are required to submit their resume using the Special Education Resume Template. Applicants to the Inclusive Elementary Educator Program are to use the IEEP Resume Template. Individual's applying to the Secondary Dual Educator Program are to use the SDEP Resume Template, applicants to the Added Endorsement Special Education are asked to consult the Department of Continuing Education.

6. Writing Samples (top)

Applicants to the Early Intervention/Special Educator, Elementary / Secondary Special Educator, Visually Impaired Learner and Added Endorsement Special Education programs must submit two (2) writing samples. The first is the Personal Statement and the second is a Formal Writing Sample, for more details please see descriptions provided at above link. Applicants to the Inclusive Elementary Educator Program and Secondary Dual Educator Program are to use the IEEP or SDEP writing sample specifications.

7. Recommendation Letters (top)

Using the Recommendation Forms above applicants to the Early Intervention/Special Educator, Elementary / Secondary Special Educator, Visually Impaired Learner, and Added Endorsement in Special Education must submit two letters of recommendation using the SPED Recommendation Form. Inclusive Elementary Educators Program applicants will submit two (2) recommendations using the IEEP Recommendation Form. Applicants to the Secondary Dual Educator Program are required to submit three (3) recommendations using the SDEP Recommendation Form. Recommendations made to any Special Education Programs must include at least one recommendation completed by an individual in a professional supervisory capacity that has direct knowledge of your recent experience with persons with disabilities.

8. University Admission Application (top)

If you have earned an accredited Bachelor's or advanced degree and wish to pursue a Master's Degree, Doctoral degree or Graduate Certificate you may use the graduate application. Graduate Applicants are required to submit two sets of application materials, one to the university Admissions office and one set to the academic department. With your university application you must submit a non-refundable $50 application fee; you will be required to pay this fee with a Visa or Mastercard. Alternately, you may download a paper application (pdf)