Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university: Your degree must be complete before you begin courses in the College of Education.
- GPA: Minimum undergraduate of 2.75, or 3.0 in at least eight semester hours of graduate studies
- Experience with Children or Youth: Experience in a school setting preferred.
- Completed GradCAS Application: Your online application will include transcripts, two references, a résumé, an essay, and a TSPC character questionnaire.
The admissions committee considers GPA, as demonstrated in your transcript, as well as previous coursework. For students interested in teaching at the early childhood and elementary level, coursework should include math, science, writing, literature, history, cross-cultural subjects, music and art. For middle- and high-school teaching applicants, coursework should demonstrate knowledge of the specific subject areas they plan to teach. Writing ability, as demonstrated in the admissions essay, also is considered.
Admissions Deadlines
Early Deadline: April 1
Final Deadline: July 1
How to Apply
The School of Learning & Teaching uses the GradCAS online application system for admission to the MAT in Special Education program. Your application link may vary depending on your anticipated start date.
Your GradCAS application will include:
- A character questionnaire required by the Teaching Standards and Practices Commission.
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. You can find instructions here on how to send transcripts to them. If you have international coursework, a course-by-course evaluation must be done through a credential agency such as WES or ECE. Please allow extra time for this process. An official copy of the evaluation must be sent to GradCAS by the deadline.
- Contact information for two references who can speak to your ability to work with preK through 12th-grade youth.
- A résumé, including your employment history, any licenses or certifications, experience with children/youth the age you plan to teach, and your education history.
- An essay detailing why you want to pursue a career in special education.
- A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to Pacific University, prior to admission. Please note that this requirement applies to all applicants if English is not their native language, including permanent residents and citizens.
To submit your GradCAS application, you will need to pay a $38 application fee.
Denise Ready
Assistant Director Graduate Admissions
503-352-7332 | teach@pacificu.edu