For information regarding the admissions process, please select the appropriate program:
Online Programs
On-Campus Programs
Graduate Certificate Programs (Online)
Graduate Certificate in Disabilities in Society
Application Deadlines
Our Graduate Certificate in Disabilities in Society has a rolling admissions process. We do not adhere to strict deadlines for applications but will consider applications as they are received. However, it takes some time for applications to be processed through UF’s admission system. With that in mind, we suggest the following guidelines for completing your application file.
- Fall admission: Completed by end of June
- Spring admission: Completed by mid November
- Summer admission: Completed by end of March
- International Students
- Fall admission: Completed end of March
- Spring admission: Completed mid October
- Summer admission: Completed mid March
Application Materials
- Certificate application for admission into the Graduate School. The application be found at: http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/apply/more#certificates
- Application fee (can be paid online via the application system or by check or money order)
- Transcripts from colleges/ universities previously attended
- If admitted, official transcripts will need to be sent to the UF Office of Admissions
- Send official transcripts via post to the following address:
University of Florida Office of Admissions 201 Criser Hall – PO Box 114000 Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
- Send electronic transcripts directly FROM the institution TO the UF Office of Admissions at te@admissions.ufl.edu.
For additional question or concerns or to check on the status of your application please email GradAdmissions@coe.ufl.edu.
Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia
Application Deadlines
The Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia has fall and spring admissions. Please view the deadlines below.
- Fall Admission – June 30th
- Spring Admission – November 22nd
Application Materials
- Certificate application for admission into the Graduate School. The application be found at: http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/apply/more#certificates
- Application fee (can be paid online via the application system or by check or money order)
- An earned Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related area of study from a regionally accredited university.
- There is an expectation that potential students have some prior knowledge and experiences in teaching reading.
- Official transcripts from colleges/ universities previously attended
- Send official transcripts via post to the following address:
University of Florida Office of Admissions 201 Criser Hall – PO Box 114000 Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
- Send electronic transcripts directly FROM the institution TO the UF Office of Admissions at te@admissions.ufl.edu.
- Send official transcripts via post to the following address:
For additional question or concerns or to check on the status of your application please email GradAdmissions@coe.ufl.edu.
Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Studies
Application Deadlines
Our Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Studies has a rolling admissions process. We do not adhere to strict deadlines for applications but will consider applications as they are received. However, it takes some time for applications to be processed through UF’s admission system. With that in mind, we suggest the following guidelines for completing your application file.
- Fall admission: Completed by end of June
- Spring admission: Completed by mid November
- Summer admission: Completed by end of March
- International Students
- Fall admission: Completed end of March
- Spring admission: Completed mid October
- Summer admission: Completed mid March
Application Materials
- Certificate application for admission into the Graduate School. The application be found at: http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/apply/more#certificates
- Application fee (can be paid online via the application system or by check or money order)
- Transcripts from colleges/ universities previously attended
- If admitted, official transcripts will need to be sent to the UF Office of Admissions
- Send official transcripts via post to the following address:
University of Florida Office of Admissions 201 Criser Hall – PO Box 114000 Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
- Send electronic transcripts directly FROM the institution TO the UF Office of Admissions at te@admissions.ufl.edu.
For additional question or concerns or to check on the status of your application please email GradAdmissions@coe.ufl.edu.
Master’s & Specialist Degree – Teach Well (Online)
Application Deadlines
Teach Well has a rolling admissions process. We do not adhere to strict deadlines for applications but will consider applications as they are received. However, it takes some time for applications to be processed through UF’s admission system. With that in mind, we suggest the following guidelines for completing your application file.
- Fall admission: June 16th
- Spring admission: November 16th
- Summer admission: March 31st
Application Materials
- Application for admission into the Graduate School. https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/
- Application fee (can be paid online via the application system or by check or money order)
- Résumé*
- Official transcripts from colleges/ universities previously attended*
- Three letters of recommendation
- At least two letters must be from academic and/ or work related recommenders
- Can be submitted electronically via the application system or as hard copies
- **International Applicants must provide additional documentation including acceptable TOEFL, MELAB, or IETS scores. Additional detail about international application requirements is available at: http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/intl/admissioninfo.html
Test Score Requirements
International Applicants
- TOEFL: Paper Based-550 Computer Based-213 Internet Based-80
- IELTS: 6
For additional question or concerns or to check on the status of your application please email GradAdmissions@coe.ufl.edu.
*Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
Doctoral Program – Ed.D. (Online)
Application Deadlines
The Special Education online Ed.D. program admits students in a cohort structure ever other fall semester. The application window for year’s cohort begins November 1st and ends on February 1st. Our next cohort will be admitted for Fall 2025.
Application Materials
- UF Online Application (https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/).This will include a $30.00 (non-refundable) application fee. The application will provide you space to upload documents required by your department, which are listed below. You can also send these documents to the department directly sespecsstaff@coe.ufl.edu, except for official transcripts (see below).
- 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 from professional and/or academic sources: Choose references who can reliably vouch for your likely success in an academically rigorous doctoral program.
- Cover Letter to the Admissions Committee: Write the committee a standard professional letter, no more than two pages in length, summarizing (1) your academic and professional background and (2) why you are interested in UF’s online EdD in Special Education
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
- Writing Sample: This can be a paper you have written for a previous college course or 6-10 page scholarly paper on a current education related topic following APA guidelines.
- Brief Video Introduction: Create a very brief video (no more than 5 minutes) introducing yourself. Include the following: Name, current professional role, and your reason for wanting to pursue a degree in our program. You must save the video in an UNLISTED YouTube link, then share the URL link in a word document. Click here for a quick tutorial on how to do this. The purpose for this video is for the committee to get to you know you beyond what is “on paper”.
- Once you have completed all requirements listed above, please complete this Supplementary Application Questionnaire (via Qualtrics). Completion of this form is required for all applicants. You will not be able to access the complete questionnaire before completing your application.
- INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
- International students are encouraged to apply.
- UF’s Graduate School has additional requirements for international applicants related to English proficiency, and transcript submission and review. All requirements can be viewed at the Graduate School’s page for International Applicants.
- START HERE: https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/international
- In addition to the requirements outlined by the Graduate School’s International Applicants page, please see the departmental requirements listed above. Your application will not be considered without these departmental requirements.
*Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
Undergraduate Program
Early Childhood Specialization – BAES
Early Childhood Studies aims to provide students an understanding of the transdisciplinary field of early childhood through exploring the intersections among early care and education, health/mental health, and family support systems. The scope of courses provides a base in which we explore the science, policy, and implementation of early childhood development, learning, health, and well-being from child- and family-centered and developmental equity perspectives. Emphasis is placed on practices and policies used within and across these systems to support equitable outcomes and thriving children, birth to 5-years old, and their families.
Bachelor of Arts in Education Sciences Website
If you have questions, please contact EduGator Central at studenthelp@coe.ufl.edu.
Doctoral Program – Ph.D. (On-Campus)
Application Deadlines
The Special Education Ph.D. program admits students for each fall semester. Applicants must have their application file complete by December 1st.
Application Material
- 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?
Additional Information
The following links may be useful as you prepare to apply to graduate school:
For additional questions about the application process or to check on the status of your application please email sespecsstaff@coe.ufl.edu.
*Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
