All applicants must complete the steps of the UD online graduate application process.

Please see below for specifics about the application requirements for the M.Ed. in Exceptional Children and Youth program. Admission decisions are made by the full-time faculty in Special Education. Students will be admitted to the program based upon enrollment availability and evidence that they meet or exceed the following minimum recommended entrance requirements.

Applications are evaluated on a combination of academic achievement, recommendations, and professional objectives as evidenced by the following factors. Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (or current enrollment as a junior in a UD education program 4+1 track)
  • An undergraduate cumulative grade index of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute, by achieving a score deemed by the state of Delaware to be college ready on a test of general knowledge normed to the college-bound population.
  • A graduate cumulative grade index of at least 3.5 if graduate courses were taken.
  • Transcripts of all previous academic work at the undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) level. Applicants may upload unofficial copies of their transcripts and if admitted, all transcripts will be verified by the Office of Graduate and Professional Education. Applicants who previously attended the University of Delaware still need to upload an unofficial transcript, but do not need to provide official transcripts for verification. Please do not send any transcripts to the School of Education.
  • GRE scores are not required.
  • For students whose native language is not English, an officially reported TOEFL test score of at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based). IELTS scores are also accepted. The minimum score is 7.0.
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors.
  • A resume detailing your academic, professional, and/or volunteer experience.
  • Responses to the following two graduate application essays.

Essay 1

Outline your educational plans and career goals and discuss how your proposed plan of graduate study relates to them. Some areas of discussion might include: Specific attributes of the program at UD that lead you to believe that this degree is appropriate to help you achieve your professional objectives. Within the area of study you have selected, are there areas of special interest to you?

If the applicant plans to pursue initial teacher certification through the MPCP track or additional certification through the 4+1 or MP track in addition to the degree, this must be stated.

Essay 2

In this writing sample, the applicant should address one of the following questions in a brief essay of 500 words or less:

  • Select an important problem facing individuals with disabilities or the schools, teachers, or other people who work with them and propose a solution to this problem; or,
  • Describe an experience in your own life that influenced your decision to work with individuals with disabilities

Application deadlines

Track Deadline Admission
Traditional M.Ed. (MP track) April 1 subsequent Fall semester
Traditional M.Ed. (MP track) November 1 subsequent Spring semester
Alternate Route MPCP (certification track) February 15 (Priority consideration)

April 1 (Final deadline)

 subsequent Summer semester. However, in the “term details” section, MPCP applicants should select the Fall term.
4+1 Track December 15 of junior year Fall semester of senior year. In the “term details” section, 4+1 applicants should apply for the Fall of their senior year.