University of Northern Iowa
Department of Special Education
EdD Application Information

1. The applicant must hold a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
2. Each applicant must submit transcripts of all previous academic work. Applicants with a grade point average of less than 3.5 for all prior graduate work will not usually be considered for regular admission. Provisional admission may be recommended for an applicant who does not meet the 3.5 GPA requirement.
3. The GRE is not required for admission into the Department of Special Education EdD program.
4. A letter of application from the applicant is required. This letter should articulate the applicant’s professional background, reasons for seeking the doctoral degree, and a statement of career goals.
5. The applicant must have a minimum of three years of professional educational experience.
6. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted from individuals familiar with the applicant’s potential for advanced professional study, at least one from a professor or instructor familiar with the applicant as a student and at least one from an educational employer/supervisor.
7. A copy of the student’s thesis or research paper must be submitted to be used as a writing sample. If a student does not have either a thesis or research paper, he/she may submit a manuscript or paper representative of their scholarship.
8. A personal or telephone interview may be requested.
9. Applicants for whom English is not the first language must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language Examination (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 550.
10. No more than a maximum of 12 graduate hours, not previously applied to a degree, may be transferred into the EdD program with advisor approval.

Application files will be reviewed twice each calendar year only. Application deadlines are March 1 for Fall semester admission; October 1 for Spring semester admission.

A completed Application for Graduate Study, College of Education application, letter of application, three letters of recommendation, and a copy of the student’s thesis or research paper should be mailed to: EdD Applications, Department of Special Education, 150 Schindler Education Center, University of Northern Iowa, 1227 W. 27th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0601.

For information regarding potential funding sources, contact either Dr. Deborah Gallagher (319-273-3380) or Dr. Sandra Alper (319-273-2569).