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Special Education
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International Admission to Master's Degree at KU

This Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Low-Incidence Disabilities is available at the main KU Campus in Lawrence, Kansas.

Application Deadlines

Apply before June 15 to begin in the Fall Semester
Apply before November 12 to begin in the Spring Semester
Apply before March 24 to begin in the Summer Semester

Please note that KU does not accept paper applications for admission. The online application is designed to give you the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form.

International Application Requirements

Regular admission requires a bachelor’s degree and a grade-point average (GPA) of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) from a regionally accredited institution, like KU, or a foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s degree requirements. Applicants with a GPA of 2.75-3.0 are eligible for provisional admission. It is important for applicants to realize that the application indicators are not the sole determinants of admission to the Master's degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Low-Incidence Disabilities. Meeting the GPA minimum standards for regular or provisional admission does not ensure a recommendation for admission. Other factors considered by the committee include:

Strength of the letter of application;
Strength of the letters of recommendation;
Quality of previous experience and background in special education or a closely related discipline;
Availability of an appropriate advisor in the applicant's identified area of emphasis; and
The fit between the applicant's professional and graduate program goals and the purpose and mission of the KU

1) Letter of Introduction

Specify why Low-Incidence Disabilities is the area of emphasis within the Department of Special Education you have selected for concentration of study. Tell us your current licensure/endorsement status (e.g., type of undergraduate degree, area of licensure, and other licensure or endorsement information).

2) Professional Resume

Professional resume describing past employment experiences, licensure received, educational preparation, publications and presentations, professional association memberships, and other professional activities.

3) Transcripts

You will be required when you apply online to upload a copy of your transcripts. You must also forward official transcripts from all schools you attended showing degree conferral as applicable. Forward them by mail to: Graduate Admissions, University of Kansas, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Strong Hall 313, Lawrence, KS 66045. If your institution offers transcripts via electronic delivery, they may be sent to graduateadm@ku.edu. NOTE: Electronic transcripts are accepted only via an electronic delivery service.

4) Letters of Reference

You will submit the names and email addresses when you apply online. The system will automatically email them requesting them to submit a letter of reference for you.

5) Official Proof of English Proficiency

International students must meet one of the following English proficiency exam score requirements UNLESS they have completed a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited English-medium U.S. college or a college or university in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, an English-speaking province of Canada, or an English-speaking Caribbean country, with instruction conducted in English:

TOEFL (paper): 57 or above on each section and 5.0 on the Test of Written English
TOEFL (iBT): 23 or above on the reading, listening, and writing sections
IELTS (Academic): 6.5 minimum overall score and at least 6.0 in listening, reading, and writing
PTE: 58 or above with no part score below 53 in listening, reading, and writing

To forward exam scores electronically, the University code is 6871 and the Department code is 85. Please see the English proficiency chart for more information.

6) Official Statement of Financial Documentation

This document will be required to process your I-20. To expedite the process, you should upload this documentation when applying online.

7) Professional Disposition Assessment

Individuals pursuing an endorsement or licensure must sign and submit the Professional Disposition Assessment for Advanced Degree Candidates Acknowledgment Document.

Take that next step in your career as a special education professional. Apply international today!

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