Initial license in Special Education with or without MA

Financial Aid Priority filing date is March 1

Selection of a university and graduate program of study is an important decision. Therefore, prospective students are required to meet and consult with a departmental faculty advisor as part of the application process. Students should schedule an appointment to discuss career goals and special circumstances with a member of the faculty as soon as possible by calling 719-255-4996 or education@uccs.edu. This meeting will also serve as an admissions interview for the program.

The Special Education program begins their academic program each year beginning in August. Students are chosen during the spring or summer semester for admission the following fall. Up to nine hours of approved coursework may be completed as an Unclassified Student or as a transfer student prior to admission. Successful completion of Unclassified Student or Transfer Student coursework does not ensure admission to the program. Consult with a faculty member about courses you wish to take as an unclassified student or to transfer, as certain rules apply to these courses.

To be considered for admission to the Special Education program, prospective students must complete the following procedures:

Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

Application Process

• Carefully read this Program Information Bulletin and identify questions you have about the program.
• Complete the UCCS graduate application found at:  Apply Now!  Complete the SELP application below
  • All applicants (international & domestic) pay the $60.00 application fee
  • Contact the Financial Aid office to determine eligibility for aid. (Phone: 255-3460)
  • Schedule an admissions and information interview with a Special Education program faculty member early in the process. The goal of this appointment is to answer questions you have about the program, clarify the procedures for admission to the program, and to determine your level of interest in and preparation for the program. Call 719-255-4996 or education@uccs.edu to set up the appointment.
  • Current résumé (please include relevant paid work and volunteer experience where applicable)
  • Have one copy of all previous academic transcripts sent directly to the Admissions and Records office. (See below for address).
  • Prepare a written "Goals Statement" 
  • Obtain three letters of recommendation that speak to your ability to successfully complete a program in Special Education. Choose your references carefully. Persons who have been in positions to supervise and/or evaluate your work. Do not ask friends or others who might be biased to write a recommendation.
    SPED recommendation letter
  • o All applicants must submit a copy of their background check with their application. This is required because many school sites require the background check prior to accepting a student for field work. (See below for background check details). To obtain information and directions on the fingerprinting and background check visit the Student Resources Page and click Fingerprint/Background Check Instructions.
  • Have one copy of all previous academic transcripts sent directly to the Admissions and Records office. (See below for address).

Goal Statement: Please describe why you have applied to your respective program and want to be a professional educator. Please be sure to include personal and professional information that supports this decision. Your statement should be at least two pages in length, double spaced. Make sure to include your name and the program you are applying to in your goal statement.

Background Check

*International applicants only complete this step if they have lived in the United States for more than one year.

Instructions for completing your background check are below:

1. Go to website: https://www.cbirecordscheck.com/Index.aspx
2. Click on Individuals
3. Pay $6.85 to receive the results
4. Print a copy of the background check and email/mail your background check or proof of licensure to the College of Education Student Resource Office (education@uccs.edu) as part of admissions materials.

Official Transcripts: Domestic students: Have one official transcript of all higher education course work ever completed to date (undergraduate and graduate GPA must be included on transcripts), sent from the institution you attended directly to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Office of Admissions (electronically or by postal services).
Postal Services: 
UCCS Office of Admissions 
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs CO 80918-3733
Electronically:
gradapp@uccs.edu

Additional items of note for International applicants:

English Proficiency must be demonstrated through providing evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, a TOEFL score of 550-(paper-based) or 80-(internet-based) or a Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE®) score of a minimum of 460. Students may make arrangements to take KITE® at the Global Engagement Office.

Applicants with any post-secondary course work from an international higher education institution that is recognized by their country’s Education Ministry must submit a course-by-course foreign degree evaluation by member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org/members) AACRAO (http://aacrao.matrixdev.net) or World Education Services/WES (https://www.wes.org).

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities.

• LEAD 5700 Introduction to Research and Statistics
• SPED 5090 Applied Research Project
• SPED 5091 Current Topics in Special Education

Students seeking a Special Education Generalist License in the State of
Colorado must complete the following exams to be recommended for licensure:

*Students will not be permitted to continue on to student teaching until both exams are passed.

Exam Information