Admissions | Special Education (Undergraduate)

Required application materials

Along with your responses in the application form, all candidates for the Special Education program are required to submit responses to the following:

• Experience: Applicant evaluation for the Special Education program includes a review of your work or other relevant education experience. While we pay special attention to experience in special education or related fields, you should include all of your volunteer, paid work, or personal experience. This includes experience related to advocacy, supervised field experiences, student teaching or practicum, extracurricular activities, etcetera.
• Responses to four supplemental questions: To better understand who you are and your readiness for upper-division coursework in Special Education, you must respond to the four prompts below. Your responses will be reviewed for content and clear writing, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Consider adding examples to make your point. Your submission conveys essential information about yourself, why you want to study Special Education at Portland State University, and your readiness for the program. An appropriate response length is 300-400 words for each prompt.
  • 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.
  • 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?
  • What background, experiences, and skills would you bring to support culturally sustaining practices when working with underrepresented populations in schools or community-based settings? What previous actions or future actions would you take? Consider how personal culture and beliefs impact practice
  • 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?
• References: Submit contact information for two references. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms. Recommendation forms must be received by PSU by May 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Do not list your family or friends as references.