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Graduate School

Special Education Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements 

Students are admitted under the requirements of the most current catalog as they enter Bethel.

The Special Education programs will consider applicants who:

  • Submit a completed application form with the $25 nonrefundable application fee.
  • Submit an official transcript showing an earned baccalaureate degree and transcripts from all graduate schools attended. Applicants must also submit an official transcripts from any school showing completion of required program prerequisites, if any.
  • Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college, university, or institution that is internationally-recognized as equivalent.
  • Have earned an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
  • Complete the following courses (submission of Minnesota teaching license is sufficient documentation of completion of equivalent course work).

    • EDUC603: Introduction to K-12 Schools or its equivalent
    • EDUC604: Introduction to Theories and Practices of Teaching and Learning or its equivalent.
  • Submit a copy of current or most recent state or internationally-recognized teaching license at the elementary, secondary, or K-12 (or equivalent) level. A limited number of applicants without a current teaching license will be considered for admission to the Special Education program if the applicants have a bachelor's degree in a related field such as psychology, counseling, social work, etc. and have relevant experience with student with E/BD and/or LD in an educational setting.*
  • Submi ttwo professional Admission References.
  • Submit a written Statement of Purpose.
  • Submit a Computer Documentation form. Applicants are required to document access to a computer with the required hardware and software for use throughout the program (see application materials).
  • Submit a Student Immunization Record.
  • Submit a Request for Transfer of Credit, if applicable.
  • Submit a TOEFL examination score report (required of all international applicants and all applicants whose primary language is not English). Minimum score of 550 is required on the paper-based test; 213 on the computer-based test; or 80 on the internet-based test.
  • Indicate acceptance of the Bethel Community Expectations by signing the application form.
  • Interview with the faculty of the Department of Education.

*NOTE: Learners who become licensed in E/BD and/or LD, but do not have a regular teaching license prior to entering the program, will only be eligible to teach in those areas of special education licensure, not as regular education teachers.

International Applicants: Additional General Admission Requirements

An international applicant is any candidate who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident alien.
International applicants must:

  • Submit official evaluations of foreign transcripts from a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) member organization (www.naces.org) or from CGFNS International (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) (www.cgfns.org).
  • Submit a completed Certificate of Finances form and a copy of current bank statement(s) to show evidence of adequate funds to cover a minimum of one year’s full tuition and living expenses. 
  • If an applicant is receiving funds from a sponsor(s), submit:- Notarized Affidavits of Support (I-134).- Letters of support from sponsors.
  • Submit a copy of I-94 (applicants currently in the U.S.).
  • Submit a copy of passport (applicants currently in the U.S.).
  • Submit a copy of current visa (applicants currently in the U.S.).
  • Submit documentation of health insurance.
  • If the applicant’s primary language is not English, complete a required English language evaluation as part of the admission process.

U.S. Permanent Resident Alien Applicants: Additional Admission Requirement

  • U.S. permanent resident alien applicants must present the applicant's green card.

Meeting minimal entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. Exceptions to minimum criteria may be made at the discretion of the admissions committee.

Students with Disabilities

Bethel is committed to ensuring equal access for students with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations and services. Students must provide documentation of their disability(ies) in order to receive accommodations. For further information, click on Disability Services or contact the director of disability services at 651-635-8759 or 800.255.8706, ext. 8759.

 To request disability-related accommodations or services, one week's notice is preferable.

Policies

All program policies can be found in the Graduate School catalog. The catalog can be downloaded here in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Once the file is downloaded, you will be able to view and print the document using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have that program on your computer, follow this link to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.