Application Deadline
Application review for the SPED doctoral program begins December 1 for Fall 2023. For full consideration (including for funding), all application materials should be received by this time.
Additional applications may be considered until January 3.
The application portal will open in mid-October 2022.
Application Instructions
Complete the UO Division of Graduate Studies Online Graduate Application.
Nonrefundable Application Fee: $70 (Domestic Students)/$90 (International Students), paid by credit card or eCheck. You will need to pay the application fee before you are able to submit the application.
- You do not need to complete the online application in one sitting.
- You will be able to log in and view/updated each section of your application until your payment is made
- Once this fee is paid, your file is officially submitted to the department.
Within this online application, there are several sections to fill out including:
- Personal information
- Residency
- Educational history
- Names for professional references
Supporting Documentation
You will also have to upload the following documents as part of your department application:
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
Your vitae should include the following information, beginning with most recent education, including degree and institution (with dates of graduation):
- Work experiences in education
- Presentations at conferences or workshops
- Publications, if any
- Organizational affiliations
- Any other relevant professional information
Professional Goals Statement
The Admissions Committee is interested in your professional goals and reasons for advanced study. Your statement should address the following questions: (a) Why are you interested in a PhD in Special Education (e.g., specific research interests, career goals)? (b) How have your past experiences prepared you for success in a PhD program in Special Education (e.g., research experience, technical and/or professional writing, teaching in higher education, practice in special education or related disciplines, leadership positions)? and (c) Why is the program in Special Education at the University of Oregon the best fit for you (e.g., Department and Program strengths, alignment with your scholarly interests, courses, specific faculty with whom you would like to work and why)?
Writing Sample
The Admissions Committee is interested in reviewing the quality of your professional writing. Writing samples can be an undergraduate thesis, master’s paper, university course paper, published journal article, book chapter, draft manuscript, or published media article you have written (e.g., newspaper articles, magazine articles, blog posts). It is preferable but not required for the writing sample to focus specifically on topics pertaining to disability (e.g., early intervention; special education; academic intervention; behavior support; intersectionality of disability, race, language, and/or socioeconomic status; transition to adulthood).
Statement about Experiences with Individuals with Disabilities
The Admissions Committee is interested in a 1 to 2 page description of your personal and/or structured experiences with individuals with disabilities, including efforts to increase equity. Please emphasize professional licensures or certification related to Special Education that you hold, supervised experiences, and examples demonstrating your leadership ability in organizations. Examples could include paid or volunteer positions inside or outside of educational settings. Indicate the dates and duration of the experience.
Letters of Recommendation
Within the application, you will input contact information (email) for three people who will be writing letters of recommendation for you.
Each recommender will receive an automated email prompt, directing them to an online system for providing input on you and submitting a letter.
Official Transcripts
Transcripts:
At the time of application, applicants must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended, including the University of Oregon. Unofficial transcripts are uploaded as part of the online application. Applicants who accept their offer of admission and matriculate must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities from which they received a bachelor’s degree or higher. Detailed information about submitting official transcripts is available here.
English Language Proficiency:
All applicants for whom English is not a native/primary language must satisfy one of the following English Language Proficiency criteria in order to be eligible for admission.