Educational Leadership Special Education Administration Ed.S.

For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:

• Summer term: March 15
• Fall term: June 15
• Spring term: Nov. 15

You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact the Admissions Coach for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.

Each applicant must:

• Possess a master’s degree from an Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned.
• Have a valid special education teaching license (or other special services provider license).
• Have at least one year of experience as a licensed teacher or special service provider, three or more years preferred. One year required for Principal/Special Education Director License.

This interdisciplinary program includes the coursework for dual licensure as both a Principal and a Special Education Director.

If you have any questions about the program or eligibility, please contact Linda Vogel, Ph.D., at linda.vogel@unco.edu.

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the online application.

• Answer the application questions.
• Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
  • Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
• Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee. 
  • Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
  • International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
  • The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.

Once you submit your application you will be assigned an Admissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.

Step 2: Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. 

Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.

Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.

Mailed transcripts should be sent to:

University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639

Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.

The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.

UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Note About the GRE

This program does not require GRE scores.

Step 4: Supplemental Items

Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:

• Detailed statement of goals which describes your:
  • Demonstrated commitment to education
  • Contributions to professional education
  • Immediate and long-range personal, professional and academic goals
  • Rationale for pursuing the Principal or Special Education Director license
  • Strengths and weaknesses as they apply to educational leadership
  • As part of your personal statement, you are also asked to provide a brief essay in which you identify and discuss a significant, current educational problem. Describe how you would attempt to solve the problem identified.
• Current vita or resume which documents professional experiences in education.
• A copy of K-12 related license(s).

Background Information Sheet

Submit the Background Information Sheet by clicking on the "Background Information Sheet" link in your Admissions Portal. 

Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information 
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.