Admissions | Special Educator License

The Special Education program is dedicated to enrolling and retaining students who possess a strong commitment to learn, while demonstrating self-reflection, professionalism and ethical behavior. We prepare teachers to effectively support students with a diverse range of needs and encourage their growth and learning through creative practices.

Admissions Timeline
Application Opens	September 1
Priority Application Deadline*	January 15
Final Application Deadline	April 15
Final Application Materials Due**	April 29
Prerequisite Deadline	By the start of the program
Program Start	Summer

Additional Timeline Information:

*Submitting your application by the priority deadline will allow you access to the scholarship application due by March 1st.

**Recommendations can sometimes take longer to arrive. You can submit your application before these have arrived. This deadline is to allow a short grace period for your recommendations to arrive, if necessary.

After submission, your application will be reviewed by staff and faculty. We communicate admissions decisions 1–2 weeks after your interview after the final application deadline.

Prerequisite coursework

Math 211: Foundations of Elementary Math I (4 credits): The first in the elementary math sequence, this course covers numeration, operations, number theory, and problem-solving.
Math 212 or 213: Foundations of Elementary Math I and II (4 credits each): The second two classes in the sequence, Math 211 covers rational numbers, probability, and statistics and Math 213 covers algebra, geometry, and measurement.
SPED 418/518: Survey of Exceptional Learners (3 credits): This is a foundational course for understanding the various exceptionalities and how special education is provided in schools.

Prerequisite coursework must be completed no more than 7 years before an application to the program and you must have received a C- or better in the coursework.

We recommend that students complete the courses prior to starting the program in summer term. The courses do not need to be completed to submit an application but many applicants find that these courses are helpful to understanding the field.

Where and how to take prerequisites:

These classes are offered both at PSU and at local community colleges. If you believe you have taken a similar course, please review the equivalent prerequisites to determine if the course you completed is pre-approved. Don’t see your class? Please reach out to us or submit a course substitution form.

If you would like to take these classes at PSU and are not already a student, you can register as either a post-baccalaureate or non-degree-seeking student.

The math classes are offered sequentially throughout the year beginning in the fall. Please review the class schedule for current offerings.

Required application materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit
Official Transcripts: After you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to the Graduate School
English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
Résumé: Include advocacy, volunteer and personal experience with individuals with disabilities or working with people with disabilities
Statement of Purpose: Please answer the following questions in no more than 250 words each. We recommend you provide examples when appropriate. Your answers should reflect how your background, beliefs, and experiences have prepared you for this program.
- Our ideal student demonstrates the following dispositions: 1) professionalism, 2) flexibility, 3) ethical behavior, 4) self-reflection, 5) cultural awareness and responsiveness, and 6) high expectations and responsibility for student learning. Please provide examples of your experience with youth that demonstrate how you meet these dispositional requirements.
- Describe how this program fits your educational and long-term career goals and the difference you intend to make in your field. Explain how your college education will help you achieve these. As needed, convey additional information explaining your previous academic performance and readiness for the program.
- Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge or setback. How did you manage your emotions, time, and resources to overcome the obstacle, and what did you learn from the experience?
- What background, experiences, skills, or beliefs do you bring to support the inclusion of infants, children, or youth with elevated service needs (e.g., low-incidence disabilities, multiple disabilities) and their families and teachers?
References: Submit contact information for at least two references via the application. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.
Interview: Shortly after you submit your application, we will send you instructions for scheduling an interview with Special Education faculty from the College of Education. Interviews are 60 minutes and available February through May.

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

Academic Requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
Two References: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with youth with special needs. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.
Experience working with children and/or youth: Experience working with youth with special needs before you begin our program ensures that we feel confident about your future success as a special education teacher. We use your résumé to assess for this experience.
Your Interest: We evaluate your statement of purpose to gain a stronger sense of your interest in the profession and how your experiences have prepared you to become a teacher.

Ready to apply?

Review the PSU Graduate School’s minimum admissions requirements.
Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
Select "Start New Application"
Then select "Graduate Application"
For the college, select "College of Education"
For the program of study, select "Special Education: K-12, MS and License"
Select the term you plan to start the program

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to the next cohort.

Questions? Contact Laura!

Post-Admissions

You will be notified of your admission decision to the program via an email and formal digital letter from the Graduate School. After admission, you will be assigned a faculty advisor and staff student success advisor, both of whom will support you through your program. The college provides an online orientation module to help you take your next steps to begin your program. You will also be invited to a live orientation session to ensure that you’re fully prepared to begin.

A few additional things to keep in mind:

All students must submit their official transcripts to the Graduate School after admission.
If you’re still completing a bachelor’s degree, you must apply for your degree, and it must be awarded by the term before you begin your graduate program. (Ex: if the program begins summer, the degree must be awarded by the end of spring term).
You must register for coursework in the term that you are admitted in order to validate admission to the program. If you do not, your admission status will be canceled.
If you’re unable to begin in your term of admission, you may request a one-time deferral by emailing askcoe@pdx.edu. You may defer your admission one year.This request must be made before the start of the program.