Application for Admission to the Special Education Program

In general, program applications are due the sixth Friday of each semester, at 4 p.m., in EduE 150, for the following semester.

Check specific deadline dates.

Applications to the Special Education Program are processed as follows:

• Applications received by week seven of each semester will be processed the same semester (for the following semester).
• Applications received after week seven will be processed the next semester (for the following semester).
• Applications received in the summer will be processed with the applications that are received in the fall (for the following spring).

Application Packet

Download Special Education Application Packet: (as a Word file) or (as a PDF file)

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Application Instructions

[This is a Summary - See Complete Packet for Details]

Special Education Programs Admission Procedures and Requirements

The Department of Education offers high quality programs for the preparation of special education teachers. The programs are characterized by an extensive knowledge-base preparation, as well as strong emphasis on teaching skill development and practical field experiences.

Special Education Licensure Programs

• Special Education/Early Childhood (Pre-school)
• Specific Learning Disabilities (K-12)
• Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12)

Admissions Process and Requirements

• A cover letter to your application, one to two typed pages (single spaced), addressed to Dr. Joyce Strand (see address below).This letter should be professional in nature and describe the reasons that you consider yourself a good candidate for our Special Education Program. Please include a brief description of your experiences with students and others with disabilities. Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors will negatively affect the evaluation of your application.
• A completed and signed Application for Admission.
• A complete set of official undergraduate and graduate transcripts as evidence of a 2.7 grade point average (GPA), for both UMD and transfer credits. If your GPA is lower than 2.7, please call the Special Education Coordinator for assistance.
• A Post-baccalaureate Contract, which is necessary for all graduate students seeking licensure in Special Education. This form may be obtained through the Student Affairs Office, College of Education and Human Service Professions, 120 Bohannon Hall, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812 (218-726-7156). Please note that, in addition to the official transcript you send with your Application for Admission, you need to include an unofficial transcript with the Post-baccalaureate Contract.
• Submission of a 250 word, typed, double-spaced, dated statement responding to one of the three questions attached to the application. This written response will be evaluated to determine if you need either assistance in writing or additional coursework.
• Confirmation of completion of the Pre-professional Skills Tests (PPST, or Praxis I).
• Self assessment of dispositions.
• Three letters of reference, which you collect and include as parts of the admissions packet, and then submit to the Department of Education's Special Education Program as a COMPLETE packet. Please return the completed Post-baccalaureate Contract and the unofficial transcript to the address noted on the Contract Form. If the application packet is missing any of the items noted above, your application will not be evaluated and processed.

Return the rest of your materials in one envelope, which includes a copy of the signed Post-baccalaureate Contract, to:

Special Education Admissions
Dr. Gerry Nierengarten
Department of Education
150 EduE
412 Library Dive
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN 55812

Note: Before a student is placed in the student teaching practicum, the student must have demonstrated satisfactory performance in practicum experiences throughout the program.

Special Education Minor

Students from other majors may choose to complete the Special Education minor.