Special Education

The program offers Doctoral degrees in Special Education with emphasis areas in Behavior Disorders, Early Childhood Special Education, and Learning Disabilities.

Admission Criteria

Fall deadline: January 15
Spring deadline: August 15

• Minimum GPA: 3.5/4.0

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Minimum GRE Scores

Faculty selection committees review applications for admission into the various graduate programs. Factors considered in the graduate student review process include previous academic course work and performance, GRE scores, letters of recommendation from professors or professional supervisors and relevant professional work experiences. The letter of intent is evaluated for advising purposes and is an indication of the applicant’s motivation, professionalism and writing competencies. Interviews with faculty are often arranged as part of the admissions review process.

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Special Education Program

• Personal Data Sheet
• Statement of purpose (usually around 500 words) in which you summarize your professional goals, including career objectives, research interests, your motivation for advanced graduate work and other pertinent information.
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation. Letters may be sent to the Special Education Department or they may be submitted electronically through the Graduate School online application.
• GRE score report
• TOEFL or IELTS score report. Students whose native language is not English must submit scores on a TOEFL or the IELTS administered within the last two years.

Admission Criteria

• First deadline: Due January 15th (For scholarships)
• Second deadline: Due March 30th (For practicum placements)
• Third deadline: June 30th – For admittance to classes

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Applied Behavior Analysis Program

• Statement of purpose, around 500 words, in which you summarize your professional goals, including career objectives, research interests, your motivation for advanced graduate work and other pertinent information
• CV/Resume
• At least two letters of recommendation
  • The letters should attest to your professional competence, academic preparation and potential for graduate work.
  • Ideally, two letters should be from college or university professors who can discuss your academic abilities, and one should be from an administrator or colleague who can describe authoritatively your professional experience and potential.
  • Letters are submitted through the online application system.
• Personal data sheet (built into the Graduate School online application)

The program offers Master’s degrees in Special Education with emphasis areas in Autism, Behavior Disorders, Cross-Categorical with Certification, Early Childhood & Autism, Early Childhood Special Education, Gifted Education, Learning Disabilities, and Mental Retardation.

Admission Criteria

Fall deadline: May 1
Spring deadline: October 1
Summer deadline: March 1

• Minimum GPA: 3.0/4.0

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Minimum GRE Scores

*Beginning Summer 2022, the GRE examination will no longer be required for master’s applicants. 

Faculty selection committees review applications for admission into the various graduate programs. Factors considered in the graduate student review process include previous academic course work and performance, GRE scores, letters of recommendation from professors or professional supervisors and relevant professional work experiences. The letter of intent is evaluated for advising purposes and is an indication of the applicant’s motivation, professionalism and writing competencies. Interviews with faculty are often arranged as part of the admissions review process.

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Special Education Program

• Personal Data Sheet
• Statement of purpose (usually around 500 words) in which you summarize your professional goals, including career objectives, research interests, your motivation for graduate work and other pertinent information
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation. Letters may be sent to the Special Education Department or they may be submitted electronically through the Graduate School online application.
• GRE score report *Beginning Summer 2022, the GRE examination will no longer be required for master’s applicants. 
• TOEFL or IELTS score report. Students whose native language is not English must submit scores on a TOEFL or the IELTS administered within the last two years.

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone: Yes

Total Credit Hours: 18

Certificate description: A Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program will train you to be an exceptional practitioner of ABA-based interventions to improve quality of life for people with behavioral challenges, including children and adults with developmental needs. MU graduate students can complete the certificate program while pursuing a degree, and the certificate also complements the skills of recent graduates and experienced professionals who want to specialize in ABA. The program is designed to meet eligibility requirements to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. This course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

In our program, you’ll learn the conceptual foundations of ABA and how these behavioral principles are applied to improve behavior. Central to this program is a collaboration with the MU College of Education and the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Partnership with the College of Education allows for shared courses taught by professors from the School of Health Professions and the College of Education, and the MU Thompson Center serves as the primary practicum site to give you an exceptional experiential learning opportunity working with individuals with developmental needs.

Certificate web site:
https://education.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/certificates-minors/applied-behavior-analysis/

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines for the Fall Semester

• Priority deadline: January 15
• Second priority deadline: March 30
• Final deadline: June 30

Application Process

• Current Mizzou Graduate Students: Complete the Change of Program Form and submit the form directly to the Applied Behavior Analysis program.
• New/Returning Mizzou Graduate Students: Students new to Mizzou or former Mizzou graduate students returning after a semester break or longer, should complete the Graduate Application for Admission. Please include the application materials listed below in your online application.

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Applied Behavior Analysis Program

• Unofficial transcript: Please upload all of your undergraduate and graduate unofficial transcripts.
• Personal data sheet (built into the Graduate School online application)
• Statement of purpose, around 500 words, in which you summarize your professional goals, including career objectives, research interests, your motivation for advanced graduate work and other pertinent information.
• Resume/CV: Please make sure to include the month/year for the start and end dates of all work experience.
• One Letter of Recommendation
  • The letter should attest to your professional competence, academic preparation and potential for graduate work.
  • Ideally, the letter should be from college or university professors who can discuss your academic abilities, or from an administrator or colleague who can describe authoritatively your professional experience and potential.
  • Letters are submitted through the online application system.