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: 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
- 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 of approximately 15-20 students each fall semester. The application window for Fall 2022 has closed and will reopen for Fall 2023 on November 1st and close on February 1st.
Application Materials
- Complete the University of Florida online application (https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/)
- A $30.00 (non-refundable) Application Fee is required. Credit card payments require an additional $7.00 processing fee
- 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 – at least one of these letters of recommendations must come from a previous instructor who can speak directly to your likelihood of success in a graduate program
- 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.
- Statement of Purpose
- Supplementary Application Questionnaire (via Qualtrics)
- Once you have submitted all documents for your application above, send an e-mail with “Supplementary Application Questionnaire” as the subject line to cheyneyk@coe.ufl.edu to receive the Qualtrics form used to complete these questions. Completion of this form is required for al applicants.
- The Supplementary Application Questionnaire is designed to assess program fit and includes questions related to:
- Your professional background, current role, and goals
- Your fit to the goals and purpose of the professional practice doctorate
- A pressing problem of practice you see in your current professional context
- Your commitment to equity
- INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
- Send your Certification of Financial Responsibility Form to the UF International Center (POB 113225, 123 Grinter Hall, Gainesville FL 32611-3225, USA).
- Official transcripts must include office English transcripts, if the originals are not in English.
- TOEFL: Paper Based-550 Computer Based-213 Internet Based-80; IELTS: 6
*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
Unified Elementary ProTeach
There is a moratorium for the Unified Elementary ProTeach program starting Fall 2021. A new Elementary Education Bachelors program will be available beginning Fall 2021. To view the Elementary Education Bachelors program, please visit education.ufl.edu/elementary-education-bachelors.
If you have questions, please contact EduGator Central at studenthelp@coe.ufl.edu.
Master’s Degree – Dual Certification
There is a moratorium for the Unified Elemenraty ProTeach (UEP) program starting Fall 2021. If you have questions, please contact EduGator Central at studenthelp@coe.ufl.edu. The following information regarding admissions to the 5th year is only applicable to CURRENT UEP students.
Application Deadlines
This masters program is only for students currently in the Unified Elementary Proteach (UEP) Program that wish to complete their fifth year in special education. We have a rolling admissions process and 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
- 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
- Applicants applying for the Specialist Degree Program must have already earned a graduate or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- **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
*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 – 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.
