Graduate Degrees Offered

• Autism
• Behavior Disorders
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• Severe Disabilities
• Visual Impairments and Transition

• Motor Speech Disorders
• Language and Phonological Disorders
• Aphasia and Acquired Cognitive Disorders
• Fluency Disorders
• Augmentative/Alternative Communication
• Audiology
• Hearing Science
• Speech Science

Distance Education Opportunities

• Ed.S. in Special Education and Communication Disorders
• M.Ed. in Special Education

Required by the Office of Graduate Studies

• Online Application for Graduate Admission
• $45 non-refundable application processing fee
• Two (2) sets of official transcripts
• If your native language is not English: verification of English proficiency
• If you are not a US citizen and you expect to hold an F or J visa: financial resource information

Required by Special Education and Communication Disorders

• Entrance exam(s): GRE
• Minimum TOEFL:  
  Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a specialization in Communication Disorders:   Paper-550  Internet-61
  Otherwise:   Paper-550  Internet-79
• Autobiographical Statement
• Departmental application
• Three recommendation letters using a program-specific recommendation form
• Resume/Vita

Description of Program

Central to the programs in the department is learning to assist those with special education needs or those with communication disorders of speech, language, balance, or hearing. The Barkley Center, home to the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, provides a stimulating environment for educational, clinical, and research activities.

Programs of study are offered leading to the Master of Education and Master of Arts degrees in special education, the Master of Science in speech-language pathology and audiology (thesis and nonthesis options), the Doctor of Audiology in audiology, and the Educational Specialist Degree in special education.

The interdepartmental Ph.D. programs in educational studies or human sciences allow for specializations in special education or communication disorders, consistent with the student's interests and employment goals. The professional doctoral degree, the Au.D. typically does not require a research project or dissertation of the magnitude necessary for the Ph.D.

Au.D. applicants submit application materials directly to the department and should not submit the Online Application for Graduate Admission. Download the departmental application packet.

Students can take classes in special education and communication disorders online. Students can also earn an educational specialist degree endorsement online focusing on any of the following: visual impairment, severe disabilities, deaf/hard of hearing, emotional and behavioral disorders, early childhood special education, or special education administration.