Admissions Requirements:
Master of Education in Special Education Online

Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. There is no application fee.

Step #2: Official transcripts from each institution attended must be submitted to UTRGV’s Graduate College. Please request your official transcripts be sent either electronically to gradapps@utrgv.edu or mailed to:

Review and submit all Program Requirements:

To be admitted to the graduate program in special education, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

1. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
   If applicant does not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA criterion of 3.0, the applicant will be evaluated holistically through reflecting professional goals, GPA, professional success from resume, and success on related prior course work to determine whether they meet the criteria for clear or conditional admission.

2. Two letters of recommendation.

3. Letter of intent.

4. Resume.

5. Demonstrated knowledge of special education or knowledge of individual differences through (a) state certification in special education; (b) three hours of undergraduate coursework in special education with a grade of ‘B’ or better; or (c) coursework in a related field such as psychology, early childhood education, or speech pathology.

Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities and international applicants:

• TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. For additional information, visit the Additional Documents for Domestic Applicants who Attend Foreign Universities section of our website.
• Certified English translation of educational records.

*Students in fully online programs are not eligible for I-20 or student visas however international applicants can study from their home country.

Check Program Availability in Your State

Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. Please review Check Program Availability in Your State for more details.