Application Instructions
Please be sure all required application material is submitted by the posted deadline.
Additional Information
- Application Deadline
- Information for International Applicants
- Immunizations/Health History (if admitted)
- Educational Testing Service (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, TSE)
- Graduate Catalog
- Residency Requirements for Tuition Rates
For additional questions or concerns or to check on the status of your application please email Dr. Melinda Leko
at leko@coe.ufl.edu.
Application Deadlines
- Complete the University of Florida online graduate school application (https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/)
- When prompted to choose the location of your intended program, select “Main Campus – Gainesville”
- When prompted to select your program of study, choose “Program Name: Special Education; Program Code: SLE_PHD”as your desired program
- A $30.00 (non-refundable) Application Fee is required. Credit card payments require an additional $7.00 processing fee
- Official test scores: GRE (all PhD applicants) and TOEFL OR IELTS (international applicants), sent directly to the University of Florida (code 5812)
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended*
- Applicants should have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Admission decisions can be made based off of unofficial transcripts
- If admitted, official transcripts must be sent directly to the UF Office of Admissions using one of the verified companies (Parchment, Faster, National Student Clearinghouse, Transcripts Plus, Credential Solutions, or E-script/Scrip-Safe) or the institutions can send electronic transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions at te@admissions.ufl.edu.
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation, speaking to your fitness to complete a rigorous PhD program in Special Education.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae*
- Statement of Purpose, including:
- Your content area of interest within special education
- Past and current professional experiences that have led you to this area of interest and to apply to our PhD program
- Skills and/or personal characteristics that will facilitate your success in a rigorous, research intensive PhD program
- Academic Writing Sample: This can be a paper you have written for a previous college course or 6-10 scholarly paper on a current education related topic following proper APA guidelines.
- Documentation of a minimum of two years of appropriate professional experience suitable for admission into the Special Education program area.
- Fellowship Application – Funding decisions for incoming students are made during the admissions review process. The personal statement and recommendation letters from your application will be used in place of the essay and recommenders required by this form. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit this form as part of the application process so that they can be considered for funding opportunities.
Admission Interview
Once your completed application has been reviewed, you will participate in an interview conducted by the admissions committee. You should be prepared to respond to questions similar to the following:
- What was the nature of your academic preparation and interests during your baccalaureate / master’s program?
- What factors influenced your decision to pursue special education as a career?
- What factors influenced your decision to pursue a doctoral degree?
- In what setting would you be most inclined to work following the completion of your degree?
- What factors, events, or experiences have led to this selection?
- Tell us about your experiences working with children and youth with disabilities.
- What are the major changes you believe will occur in the field of special education?
- What do you believe your strengths are when it comes to being a doctoral student?
- What skills would you need to work on?
- What else do you wish to have the selection committee know about you?
Application Deadlines
- All application materials for the program must be received before December 1st for the fall semester*.
- Allow 2-4 weeks to gather all application materials, including official transcripts and letters of recommendation, as all materials are required for review and admission.
For additional questions or concerns or to check on the status of your application please email Dr. Melinda Leko at leko@coe.ufl.edu.
*Domestic students only. International student deadline is March 15.