Special Education: High-incidence Disabilities M.Ed. and Certification

For support with the application please e-mail uwteach@uw.edu

• Application Checklist 

Your bachelor’s degree can be in-progress when applying but must be completed before the program starts.

• You must submit an unofficial transcript(s) with your application. The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or 3.0 for your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits), however this is just one part of the application.
• Our programs review all applications holistically, so we encourage you to still apply. You do not need to take classes to increase your GPA. Instead, we would like for you to focus on a goal statement which discusses your interests and how the program will meet your professional or individual goals and strong letters of recommendation. You can also feel free to address why your GPA is lower than a cumulative 3.0.

During the online application process, you will be given instructions for adding your recommenders and getting their letters submitted electronically. All recommenders must submit their letters online.

A current academic and professional resume or vita is required. A resume is intended to showcase your skills and experiences and to summarize the work you’ve done in your career. You should include educational degrees and professional experience, and it should also detail all relevant awards, publications, presentations or other achievements. Highlight relevant qualifications and skills that are directly connected to the program and degree to which you are applying.

Be sure to review your resume to show clear communication - free of errors - and attention to detail.

Please submit your goal statement that addresses the following:

• Reasons for seeking entry into this program.
• A minimum of 60 hours of experiences in professional or volunteer work, enrichment experiences, and/or post-baccalaureate coursework related to persons with disabilities (prefer six months of experience).
• Highlight work with diverse communities.
• Any additional information about your personal background that you feel is related to your interest in becoming a Special Education Teacher committed to inclusion.  Include any information that may account for GPA (if applicable).

OPTIONAL STATEMENT - Consistent with our goal of enhancing the intellectual and social enrichment of the University community, the University of Washington actively seeks and welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. Please provide a statement, no more than two pages in length, about your personal history, family background, and other influences on your intellectual development. The statement should address educational, cultural, and economic opportunities and disadvantages that you have experienced, and ways those experiences have affected the development of your special interests, career plans, and future goals. Please note that this is not an academic Statement of Purpose, but a personal statement that addresses your intellectual growth and development, both inclusive of and beyond your academic goals.

This statement is optional.

You must include basic skills test scores with your application.

Most applicants take the Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B) for their basic skills test. In lieu of WEST-B, you may also use reading, writing and math subtest scores from the following providers:

• Praxis I
• CBEST
• ACT
  • Older scores that do not include a writing subtest can be used for reading and math, but must be supplemented with a new writing test
  • Call 319-337-1270 to order your ACT score report, to request that your scores be sent to University of Washington, Seattle (code 4484)
• SAT
  • Older scores that do not include a writing subtest can be used for reading and math, but must be supplemented with a new writing test
  • Call 866-756-7346 and ask that your scores be sent to University of Washington, Seattle (code 4854)

You can upload your score report when completing your application. Official scores are only needed if you don’t have a score report or if you haven’t previously submitted scores to UW as an undergraduate.