Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Department of Special Education’s programs. The frequently asked questions below answer many of the most commonly posed questions. Undergraduate questions are addressed first, followed by graduate program questions.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Graduate Degree Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

  • Bachelor’s in Exceptional Student Education (BESE)
  • Bachelor’s in Early Care and Education (BECE)
Do any of the undergraduate degrees lead to certification in the state of Florida?
  • The Bachelor's in Exceptional Student Education satisfies the requirements set forth by the state of Florida for initial teacher certification, with Endorsements in Reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
  • The Early Care and Education degree does not fulfill the Florida Department of Education Teacher Certification requirements. Students completing the BECE degree are eligible to pursue alternative teacher certification after completing their degree. For more detailed information regarding alternative K-12 teacher certification, visit Alternative and Traditional Certification.
What makes our degree programs unique?
Our degree programs offer a traditional college experience, even for non-traditional students. We provide a dynamic mix of course work delivered using a variety of formats (e.g., face-to-face, hybrid, and asynchronous) allowing students to get different, high quality educational experiences. Our faculty engage with students, encouraging them to learn with and also from their peers. Students receive individualized attention and advising from Department faculty.
Our faculty hold terminal degrees (i.e., Doctoral-level), are respected in their fields, and well-connected within professional organizations. We also offer high impact activities (e.g., colloquia) for students who desire to go above and beyond with their education. In sum, our focus is to prepare teachers who are highly-qualified and evidence-based decision makers.
How do I apply?
Students can apply to FAU as a first year/freshman (applying immediately after high school) or transfer student (already earned 12 or more college credits after graduation; earned an Associate's degree, or seeking a 2nd Bachelor's).
Once admitted to FAU, students who have earned 60 Credit hours, a cumulative 2.5 GPA and have passed all sections of the General Knowledge Exam are invited to apply to the College of Education (COE) and the Department of Special Education (DSE)
Learn more about applying to FAU at: https://www.fau.edu/apply-now/
Note: Students applying for the Bachelor's in Early Care and Education (BECE) do not need to have passed all sections of the General Knowledge Exam.
How do I transfer to FAU with an AA degree?
See the admission requirements for transfer students here: https://www.fau.edu/admissions/transfer/how-to-apply/admissions-requirements/
What’s the application deadline?
Application deadlines occur three times per year for fall (July 1), spring (Nov. 1), and summer (April 15) entry.
How much does it cost to attend FAU?
See a breakdown of costs here: https://www.fau.edu/finaid/other/cost-of-attendance/
How can I get financial assistance to pay for school?
Read about the different types of aid, including financial aid, https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/. The College of Education also has a number of different scholarships, read more here: https://www.fau.edu/education/students/scholarships/
Are there any tests I have to pass?
All students applying for the Bachelor's in Exceptional Student Education (BESE must pass the General Knowledge Exam. Most people refer to the exam as the 'GK', which is intended to evaluate students' basic skills. Students applying for the Bachelor's in Early Care and Education (BECE) do not need to have passed all sections of the General Knowledge Exam. For more information on the GK, please visit: http://www.fl.nesinc.com/testPage.asp?test=GK You can also visit FAU's test preparation course webpage: https://www.fau.edu/testprep/gk/. To become a teacher, it is also necessary to pass two state certification exams (Professional Education Exam and Subject Area Exam [major specific]. DCI requires students to pass these the Professional Education and Subject Area Exams prior to being admitted into the Student Teaching semester. Read about teacher certification exams here http://www.fl.nesinc.com
How can I get advising help?
The College of Education Office for Academic Student Success (OASS) is where students can get help with figuring out how to begin their educational journey at FAU. Known in the college as ‘OASS,’ the advisors help students plan for their future educational endeavors. Read about OASS here: https://www.fau.edu/education/students/oass/
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction also has a faculty advisor who works with all undergraduate students, once they are referred by OASS Advising sessions help students with coursework and career development in professional education.
How can I stay in touch with the Department?
Send an email to: SpecialEd@fau.edu and ask questions to help you make the best educational for your future career. You can also follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FAUSpecialEducation

Graduate Degree Programs

  • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education with concentrations in:
    • Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • Early Childhood Special Education
    • Special Education Intervention Specialist
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Special Education
How do I apply to the Master’s program?
At FAU, prospective graduate students must first apply to the Graduate College. Read about the Graduate College here: https://www.fau.edu/graduate/. Part of the Graduate College Application process requires students to identify a program of interest. The Department has eight different programs. See list above.
Is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) required for admission?
The Department does not require the GRE for admission into the Master's program. Students are asked to meet the following admission requirements for the Master's Program:
Domestic Applicants
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution;
  • An undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or if GPA is below 3.0, applicants may submit one letter of recommendation from (education related field) employer or current/former university instructor; and,
  • Personal statement not exceeding three double spaced pages, indicating applicant's reasons for pursuing a Master's degree and career goals.
International Applicants
  • Bachelor's Degree (w/course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts if applicable);
  • An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or if GPA is below 3.0, applicants may submit 1 letter of recommendation from (education related field) employer or current/former university instructor;
  • Personal statement not exceeding three double spaced pages, indicating applicant's reasons for pursuing a Master's degree and career goals; and,
  • TOEFL score of 500 or IBT of 61; IELTS 6.0; Duolingo 90.

The Department does require the GRE for admission into the Doctoral program. Students are asked to meet the following admission requirements for the Doctoral Program:

Domestic Applicants
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.5;
  • GRE test score of 148 (verbal), 144 (quantitative) and 3 (analytical writing);
  • Three years teaching (or similar) experience;
  • Master's Degree;
  • Department Interview; and,
  • Original Writing Sample
International Applicants
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.5;
  • GRE test score of 148 (verbal), 144(quantitative) and 3 (analytical writing);
  • Three years teaching (or similar) experience;
  • Master's Degree (w/course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts if applicable);
  • Department Interview;
  • Original Writing Sample; and,
  • TOEFL score of 500 or IBT of 61; IELTS 6.o; Duolingo 90
What’s the application deadline?
Master's: Application deadlines occur two times per year for fall (July 1) and spring (Nov. 1) entry. Doctoral: Application deadlines occur three times per year for fall (July 1), spring (Nov. 1), and summer (April 15) entry.
What are these concentrations about?
Students completing the M.Ed. in Special Education choose a specific area of concentration in one or more of the following areas of concentration: Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Early Childhood Special Education, or Special Education Intervention Specialist. Learn more here.
Do any of the graduate degrees lead to State of Florida Teacher Certification?
The graduate degrees do not fulfill the Florida Department of Education Teacher Certification requirements. Students completing the Master's with concentration in Special Education Intervention Specialist are eligible to pursue alternative teacher certification after completing their degree. For more detailed information regarding alternative K-12 teacher certification, visit Alternative and Traditional Certification.
How does our degree programs work?
Master's degree is offered totally online. Many students are able to complete their degree in as little as 18-24 months. We offer low faculty-student ratios in courses, which allows cohort-like engagement with peers, individualized attention, and student advising by Department faculty. Faculty are terminal degreed (i.e., Doctoral-level), respected in their fields and well-connected within professional organizations.
The Doctoral Program offers the same benefits as the Masters. However, is not fully online. Coursework is a mix of face-to-face, hybrid, and some online coursework.
How much does it cost to attend FAU?
Read about the costs here: https://www.fau.edu/finaid/other/cost-of-attendance/
Need some assistance paying for school?
Read about the different types of aid, including financial aid, https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/. The College of Education also has a number of different scholarships, read more here: https://www.fau.edu/education/students/scholarships/
How can I stay in touch with the Department?
Send an email to: SpecialEd@fau.edu and ask questions to help you make the best educational for your future career. You can also follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FAUSpecialEducation