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Application Process

Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis. Therefore, it is requested that all materials be submitted approximately 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the intended start term.

Application materials required for an admission review include:

Application for Admission

Complete and digitally sign the online Application for Admission.

Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

A current professional résumé or curriculum vitae is required. Please include information regarding current and/or past employment history as well as professional development, internships completed, and volunteer experiences.

Statement of Interest

A brief statement of interest is required with a suggested word limit of approximately 500-1000 words.

This personal statement is a request for admission and should include:

Reasons for pursuing the Special Education master's degree
Overview of professional background and goals
Discussion of professional philosophy

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendations are required. When selecting your references, choose individuals such as professors and employers who can attest to your potential for success in a graduate program.

You will enter the names and email contacts for your two references into the online application. Your references will be contacted electronically with directions for submitting our letter of recommendation form on your behalf.

Official Transcripts

We require official transcripts from:

Any institution where you earned (or will earn) a bachelor’s degree.
Any institution where you earned a post-bachelor’s (graduate) degree.
Any institution where you earned credit you would like considered toward an endorsement or graduate degree.

Upon application review, you may be required to provide additional transcripts, including those with courses taken while in high school or at a community college.

Those with college credit from non-U.S. institutions are required to submit an official International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course Evaluation (preferred) or a Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The evaluation must come directly from WES to Drake. If you submit an official ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation, you do NOT need to submit transcripts from non-U.S. institutions to Drake.

Official transcripts are designated as those coming directly from the university or college of attendance to Drake University.

Official transcripts may be sent via secure electronic transmission from the issuing institution to soegradadmission@drake.edu. This is preferred and will expedite the admission process.

Official transcripts may also be sent via postal mail to:

Graduate Admission Coordinator
School of Education Drake University
Collier-Scripps Hall Room 221
2702 Forest Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505

Transcripts and other supporting materials are not returned to the applicant and become the property of Drake University.

International Candidates

International applicants follow the standard application process with three additional requirements:

1. Language Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a valid language proficiency test score. The minimum accepted scores are:

   - TOEFL iBT: 79

   - IELTS: 6.5

   - Duolingo English Test: 110  

Test scores must be from within the last two years and reported directly by the testing agency. Exemptions are granted to those who hold a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, or an equivalent degree from a university in a country where all instruction is in English.

2. Credential Evaluation: Those with college credit from non-U.S. institutions are required to submit an official International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course Evaluation (preferred) or a Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The evaluation must come directly from WES to Drake. If you submit an official ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation, you do NOT need to submit transcripts from non-U.S. institutions to Drake.

3. Financial Information: Applicants must submit a financial information form indicating the source and amount of anticipated funding for educational expenses. To ensure visa approval by the U.S. Department of State, a minimum of $25,000 in self or sponsor funding must be demonstrated.