Application Procedures - University of Maryland

1)	a grade point average of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system) from an accredited undergraduate institution;
2)	a grade point average of 3.5 or better in any previous graduate work from an accredited institution;
3)	All students applying to MEd degree or AGS program (With Certification) must take and pass the Praxis I examination and meet the State of Maryland passing criteria, which can be found at the following web site: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/certification/certification_branch/ Those applying to MA degree program (without Certification) and a score on the Graduate Record Exam or MAT placing the student at or above the 40th percentile rank;
4)	3 letters of recommendation from individuals with direct knowledge of the applicant's academic capabilities, work experience, and professional characteristics;
5)	A statement of career goals including:
	(a)	relevant background information, professional experiences, certification status;
	(b)	if not certified, whether you wish to be certified in special education and which age level (early childhood; elementary; or secondary/middle);
	(c)	intended area of study if seeking the Master’s Specialty Program (e.g., Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, Early Childhood, Severe Disabilities; Transition); and
	(d)	other information the candidate feels is pertinent to the decision of the admissions committee; and
6)	Evidence of writing skills via the statement of career goals and educational interests

Admission to Doctoral Programs

1.	Review the EDSP admission requirements for graduate students in the EDSP Graduate Handbook.
2.	Contact faculty members associated with concentration area if you have specific questions or wish to discuss an area in more detail
3.	Complete admission applilcation Online. In your goal statement, please be sure to specify your research interests and professional goals. You may request a specific faculty advisor if appropriate.
4.	All application materials must be received before the Department of Special Education’s Graduate Admission Committee Reviews the applicant’s materials. This includes your GRE scores.
5.	An interview with a faculty member and/or the Department Chairperson is required by all doctoral applicants.
6.	The Graduate Admission Committee recommends admit or reject to the Department Chair, who makes the final decision. Provisional acceptance *may* be recommended for a limited number of applicants.

	1)	a Master's degree or equivalent academic coursework in Special Education or a related area from an accredited institution;
	2)	a grade point average of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system) from an accredited undergraduate institution;
	3)	a grade point of 3.5 or better in previous graduate coursework;
	4)	a score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) placing the student at or above the 50th percentile (total of 1580 or better on verbal, quantitative, and analytical subtests);
	5)	2 years of research or work experience with exceptional populations;
	6)	3 letters of recommendation from individuals who have direct knowledge of the applicant's academic capabilities, work experience, and professional characteristics;
	7)	a statement of academic and research goals including a description of the applicant's previous background, preparation, intended area of study, research interests, and plans for future employment;
	8)	evidence of writing skills via the statement of academic and research goals.