Apply Now
The Department of Special Education recommends that prospective students familiarize themselves with the application deadlines, program guidelines, application requirements, and additional resources below.
Graduate Application Deadlines
- April 1 (Fall admission) - contact sped@sfsu.edu for late application
- November 1 (Spring Admission)
Before You Apply
Attend an Information Session
The information session covers the admissions process, application requirement, and programs offered by the Department of Special Education. Information sessions are held on the first Thursday of each month from 3:30-5:00 via Zoom. Prospective students can register for an upcoming information session on Eventbrite.
Select a Program
All applicants must select one of the program objectives:
- Master of Arts (M.A. Only)
- Master of Arts plus Credential (M.A.+CRED)
- Credential Only (CRED Only) — CRED Only applicants must already possess a master’s degree
After selecting a program objective, applicants must select one program area to focus their studies:
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Extensive Support Needs
- Mild to Moderate Support Needs
- Orientation & Mobility
- Visual Impairment
Added Authorizations:
The Added Authorizations in Special Education are authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and are designed to provide advanced preparation for credentialed teachers who seek supplementary knowledge and skills, beyond their prerequisite teacher preparation programs.
Program Requirements
Prospective students should prepare application materials in advance before starting the online Cal State Apply application. Application materials vary by program objective and program area.
Program Requirements for All Applicants: The following requirements apply to all prospective students.
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Personal Statement
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Minimum 3.0 GPA — can be cumulative GPA or last 60 semester/90 quarter units
Additional Requirements for M.A. Only Applicants:
-
Pre-admission Writing Assessment (PWA) (also referred to as Written English Proficiency-WEP)
Additional Requirements for M.A.+CRED Applicants:
- Pre-admission Writing Assessment (PWA) (also referred to as Written English Proficiency-WEP)
- Basic Skills
- Fingerprint Clearance with California CTC
- Subject Matter Competency (Required prior to Student Teaching; ECSE and O&M exempt)
- 20 hours Early Field Experience is strongly recommended
Additional Requirements for CRED Only Applicants:
- Basic Skills
- Subject Matter Competency (Required prior to Student Teaching; ECSE and O&M exempt)
- Fingerprint Clearance with California CTC
- 20 hours Early Field Experience is strongly recommended
Application Process & Guidelines
Prospective students seeking graduate degrees, graduate certificates, and credentials must complete the online application through Cal State Apply. Applicants must complete all required sections of the online application for admission to SF State and to the Department of Special Education. The complete admission process requires approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the application deadline.
Submit Your Application
Visit Cal State Apply and start an application by selecting the semester you intend to enter the program. Applicants must complete all four quadrants of the online application in order to submit the application.
All program requirements are uploaded onto the Program Materials quadrant of the online application. Refer to the SPED application tips for specific details on which sections to complete, how to complete them, and other important information.
Applicant Document Extension
If you are currently working towards meeting the Written English Proficiency (WEP) Requirement (also known as the Pre-admission Writing Assessment), Basic Skills Requirement (BSR), or the Certificate of Clearance (COC), and expect that you will receive them after the application deadline, please complete this Applicant Document Extension Notice. You may submit this notice in lieu of the listed requirements to submit your application on or before the deadline. Please note that you are still responsible to complete the requirements and submit them to us at sped@sfsu.edu. If recommended to join the program, your admission will be conditional until all requirements are met.
Interview
Following initial screening and review of applicant files, interviews will be conducted by faculty selection committees to assess the applicant’s communication skills and behaviors required to meet professional standards. Additional information may also be considered to assess the applicant’s professional qualities including test results, previous experience, and observations in coursework/fieldwork.
Additional Application Resources
For PDF files, you'll need Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or above to view it. If you need Adobe Acrobat Reader it's available free from Adobe.