School of Education

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

You must submit:

• A completed graduate school application.

For the Master of Science in Childhood Special Education you need evidence of:

• Initial (provisional) or pending certification in one of the following:
  • Childhood Education (1-6)
    Students with Disabilities (1-6)
• For the Master of Science in Adolescence Special Education you need evidence of:
  • English Language Arts (7-12)
    Biology (7-12)
    Earth Science (7-12)
    Mathematics (7-12)
    Social Studies (7-12)
    Students with Disabilities (7-12)
    Languages Other than English (spec) (7-12)
       Spanish (7-12)
• Two official transcripts of all your undergraduate and graduate work providing evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• A typed statement that describes your educational aspirations, your experiences in working with students in educational settings, and how the training in the Master's Program in Childhood Special Education or Master's Program in Adolescence Special Education will help you achieve your personal and professional goals. The response should be 300-400 words in length. The special education faculty will examine the writing sample with respect to content, clarity and organization of ideas, grammar, and style.
• Three letters of professional recommendation written on professional letterhead. All letters must:
  1. be dated and current.
  2. address how long the writer has known you and in what capacity.
  3. address your suitability for graduate work in special education, referring to your academic abilities, ability to work with students, others, and your professional commitment.
  4. be written by individuals who have a professional relationship with you. It is required that at least one letter of recommendation is written by a professor who has direct knowledge of your academic abilities.

Although the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Exam are not required, applicants who think that their scores on these tests will enhance their application may include this information with their application or provide the Office of Special Education with this information. In these cases, the special education faculty will consider this information as another indicator of your suitability for graduate work in special education. Program faculty review each application and decisions about acceptance are based on an evaluation of your whole application.

Send your completed application to:

The Graduate School
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, New York 12561-2443

This application package must include:

1. The completed graduate admissions application.
2. Two sets of official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
3. Typed description of your objectives for graduate study.
4. Proof of certification(s) held.
5. Three letters of professional recommendation as specified under "Entrance Requirements and Procedures."
6. Non-refundable application fee.

The Graduate School will not process incomplete applications.

Deadlines for Application to the Special Education Master's Program:
Fall Semester on or before May 1
Spring Semester on or before November 1