Admission Critera for Undergradiate Special Education Programs
University of Maryland Undergraduate Admissions information is available at: http://www.uga.umd.edu/
Admission information to the University of Maryland Special Education Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs is available at:
http://education.umd.edu/CHSE/academics/degree_programs/Undergrad.html
For more information regarding the Teacher Education Programs in Special Education, contact:
Office of Student Services
College of Education
1204 Benjamin Building
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742
Phone: 301.405.2364 or E-mail: ed-advising@umd.edu
Monday through Friday - 8:30am to 4:30pm
Admission Criteria to Graduate Programs
Applicants who have earned or will earn a bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States (or the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in another country) are eligible to be considered for admission to the Graduate School at the University of Maryland. With the exception of established dual-degree programs, an applicant can matriculate in only one graduate program at a time.
Admission to graduate programs is highly competitive, and space is limited. The decision to admit an applicant to a program is based primarily on a combination of the following criteria, evaluated from a complete application:
- Quality of previous undergraduate and graduate work. The Graduate School requires as a minimum standard an average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university. Adequate performance in prerequisite courses is required. Applicants with international credentials must submit in the original language those academic records that are not written in English. Such credentials must be accompanied by a literal English translation. Both must be submitted at least six months prior to the first day of classes of the semester for which the applicant seeks admission.
- Strength of letters of recommendation from persons competent to judge the applicant's probable success in graduate school . These letters are usually from the applicant's former professors who are able to give an in-depth evaluation of the applicant's strengths and weaknesses with respect to academic work. Additional recommendations may come from employers or supervisors who are familiar with the applicant's work experience.
- Scores on a nationally standardized examination . The three most widely used standardized examinations are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Because the predictive utility of these test scores may vary from one group of applicants to another, a discriminating use of all relevant materials will be made in each applicant's case. The TOEFL is required of international applicants who are not native speakers of English.
- Applicant's statement of his or her academic career objectives and their relation to the intended program of study . These statements help the program to identify students whose goals are consonant with the program's objectives and expertise.
- Other evidence of potential success in graduate studies . Some programs require other evidence of potential for success in graduate study, such as a portfolio of creative work, completion of specialized examinations, personal interviews, or an example of scholarly work .
- Availability of an advisor in the applicant's specific field, available space in the program, and competitive rating within the applicant pool for the given term of entry.
The Department of Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education applies the following criteria to evaluate and recommend applicants for full admission to a doctoral or master's program.
***Individual areas of specialization have their own requirements and criteria. Please check their websites (links below) for additional information and supplemental applications.***
Counseling Psychology
Higher Education
International Education Policy
School Counseling
School Psychology
Special Education
Student Affairs