Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Special Education

ADMISSION DEADLINES

• Fall Semester: July 15
• Spring Semester: November 15
• Summer Semester: April 15

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

• Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
• Apply Online

Official transcript from your master's degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

• Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
• Must hold a master's degree in special education (or related area, i.e. speech pathology) from a regionally-accredited or approved institution.  
• Minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 Scale. GPA will be calculated on all attempted graduate coursework in which a letter grade was awarded.
• Must hold appropriate teacher certification through GAPSC or a reciprocal certification body.

Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies Test

• Minimum GRE Requirements:
  • 850 overall (Verbal score plus either Quantitative score or Analytical score) with a Verbal score no less than 400.
  • If taken July 2011 or later: 286 overall (Verbal score plus Quantitative score) with a Verbal score no less than 146.
• Minimum MAT Requirement: 390

Distance Learning Exemption of the VSU Medical Form

• The form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
• This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
• Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Verification of Lawful Presence 

(For applicants who believe they qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.)

• This is not required for individuals who do not qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.
• This must be received prior to enrollment (if applicable), NOT prior to admission.
• Citizenship documentation is needed for any applicant who wishes to be considered for in-state tuition.
• Check out a complete list of accepted documents and residency information here.

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

The Ed.S. in Special Education is a fully online program. Federal homeland security guidelines state that student visas cannot be issued for online programs.

Prospective students whose first language is not English and those who completed coursework or degrees outside the U.S., please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), ELS Language Centers Level 109, or completion of level 6 at VSU's English Language Institute – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit one of the above. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the language proficiency requirement.
• Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

Regular Status only

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.

• Call Us: 229-333-5694 
• Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
• Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Patti Campbell, email: pccampbe@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5929.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation Requirements Page

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

Retention, Dismissal, & Readmission Policy Page