Graduate Application Information

Below is a list of programs that have established assistantships/fellowships. To learn about the details of a program, click on the name.

• Program to Help Doctoral Students Succeed (PHD SS)

How to Apply

To apply for admission to a graduate program in Special Education, you must apply separately to The Graduate School and the Special Education program.

Applying to The Graduate School

To formally apply to The Graduate School:

1. Electronic Application

Materials required:

1. One copy of The Graduate School Application for Admission form

2. If you file your application electronically and do not pay by credit card, you will need to print out a fee form to mail in with your payment

3. For information on current Graduate School Application Fees, please visit the following website: http://gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html

   • DO NOT SEND CASH.

   • Make check or money order payable to "The Pennsylvania State University"

   • The money order or a check must be drawn from a U.S. bank

   • Your canceled check serves as your receipt

   • Credit cards cannot be processed with the PDF downloadable graduate school application form

   • Please attach generated Fee Form if you filed your application electronically and you did not pay by credit card

Mail this information to:

Graduate Enrollment Services
The Pennsylvania State University
114 Kern Building
University Park, PA 16802

After you have applied to The Graduate School, you may check the status of your application by going to the Graduate School website.

Applying to a Graduate Program in Special Education

Download Application Packets

The SPLED program has provided application packets regarding the master's and doctoral programs. These packets provide important information including descriptions of the programs, application fees, faculty interests, etc. In addition, they include all of the documents listed below. If you are interested in both the master's and doctoral programs, you must download them separately.

The documents listed below must be completed in addition to The Graduate School Application for Admission form. If you would like, you may download them separately from the SPLED application packets listed above.

1. Transcript Request Form: View and Print or Type On and Print

2. Personal Data Sheet and Personal Statement: View and Print or Type On and Print

3. Three recommendations, one of which should be completed by someone familiar with your academic coursework: View and Print or Type On and Print

4. Financial Assistance Request Form: View and Print or Type On and Print

5. Application for Visa Document (International Applicants Only)

6. Two official transcripts in sealed envelope

7. Your scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

8. Copy of any Special Education teaching certificate (master's level applicants)

9. For international students

• Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Application for Visa Document

• Affidavit of Financial Support (Affidavit to download)

Mail this information to:

Special Education Admisions Committee
The Pennsylvania State University
125 Cedar Building
University Park, PA 16802-3109

Note: There is also a graduate program in Special Education at Penn State Great Valley.

Downloadable Files

doctoral_packet.pdf (126 kb, PDF)
Doctoral Program application packet.

masters_packet.pdf (137 kb, PDF)
Master's Program application packet

pdata.pdf (13 kb, PDF)
Personal Data Sheet and Personal Statement: View and Print version

pdata2.pdf (52 kb, PDF)
Personal Data Sheet and Personal Statement: Type On and Print version

pfin.pdf (8 kb, PDF)
Financial Assistance Request Form: View and Print version

pfin2.pdf (15 kb, PDF)
Financial Assistance Request Form: Type On and Print version

prec.PDF (12 kb, PDF)
Recommendations: View and Print version

prec2.PDF (89 kb, PDF)
Recommendations: Type On and Print version

In order to read or print PDF files, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.