Guidelines for Admission to Doctoral Study
General information
The Special Education Area regards the admission process for doctoral students both as crucial to maintenance of program quality and as a mechanism for ensuring that doctoral students find the program and the mentoring necessary for success in their studies.
To achieve these goals, the Area has set up a review process for admitting doctoral students which involves in-person or phone interviews with at least two Area faculty. Applicants to doctoral programs in Special Education are asked to provide evidence of their potential for academic and professional success, and to consider the ways in which their professional aspirations can be enhanced by the programs and faculty of the University of Washington.
Special requirements
These requirements explain more fully or are in addition to the requirements described in the College's Doctor of Philosophy Degree and Doctor of Education degree descriptions.
1. A master's degree in Special Education or closely related field.
2. Three recent letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors which address:
- Oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to interact productively with supervisors, peers and children.
- Ability to function without supervision.
- Teaching or other relevant professional skills.
- Other aspects of your academic or professional development.
- Ph.D. applicants: research competence and experience.
- Ed.D. applicants: Your ability to assume a leadership role in Special Education
3. A current professional vita.
4. A goal statement which addresses:* Your reasons for seeking entry into this program.
- For Ph.D. applicants: your research interests?
- For Ed.D. applicants: How do you see yourself assuming a leadership position in Special Education?
- How do you perceive your aspirations and interests as meshing with the program activities, the interests of Special Education Area and its faculty and/or with the larger faculty of the College of Education and the University?
Timelines and procedures
Step One
Complete and submit all necessary application materials according to University and College of Education deadlines and admissions procedures. These materials will undergo initial review by the Area as completed files are received and you will be notified of your status at the conclusion of the review.
Step Two
Applicants considered eligible for admission after the initial review process will be asked to arrange for formal interviews with designated faculty. Besides taking part in the formal interviews you are urged to spend at least a day on campus meeting faculty and graduate students. If on-campus interviews are impossible to arrange, you may try to schedule off-campus interviews with faculty or, as a last resort, arrange an interview by proxy at a location more convenient to you. These special arrangements will be made at the discretion of the Special Education faculty.
Step Three
After completion of Step One and Step Two applicant files will undergo a final review at a meeting of the faculty of the Area of Special Education. You will be notified of your status following that review.
