Graduate programs in Special Education provide applicants with skills in using research, and scholarly and professional literatures which enable them to better meet the academic, psychological and socialization needs of students with special needs. MEd programs, both thesis- based and course-based, and PhD programs are available in Special Education.
MASTER'S PROGRAM - Course BASED
The MEd course-based route focuses on reading, writing and oral language disabilities and prepares applicants for careers as specialist practitioners and consultants. The first course is offered in-person on campus for two weeks in the summer and the rest of the courses are offered online. Applicants will be assigned an advisor after admission to the program.
Please Note: Applications for the course-based MEd program are accepted every two years. The next cohort begins in Summer 2026. Applications for this cohort must be submitted between October 15, 2025 and January 15, 2026.
Student enrolled in this program will complete 7 courses and a Capping Exercise for a total of 24 credits.
- EDPY 556: Issues and Trends in Special Education (On Campus, Summer, Year One)
- EDPY 501: Introduction to Methods of Educational Research (Online, Fall, Year One)
- EDPY 553: Oral Language Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Fall/Winter, Year One)
- EDPY 577: Word Reading Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Winter, Year One)
- EDPY 580: Reading Comprehension Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Summer, Year Two)
- EDPY 582: Writing Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Fall, Year Two)
- EDPY 586: Complex Cases: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Fall /Winter, Year Two)
- EDPY 903: Capping Exercise (Online, Winter, Year Two)
MASTER'S PROGRAM - THESIS BASED
The MEd thesis-based route is designed to prepare applicants for careers as researchers, academics, consultants, and specialist practitioners. Programs are individualized, depending upon the applicant's prior education, experience, and interests.
Students applying to this program are expected to complete 5 three-credit courses (15 credits) and a thesis. The applicants are advised to contact their prospective supervisor prior to submitting their application.
Required Courses
- EDPY 556 Problems and Issues in Special Education
- EDPY 500: Introduction to Data Analysis in Educational Research (or an equivalent in consultation with the student's supervisor)
- EDPY 501: Introduction to Methods of Educational Research
Elective Courses
Students are expected to enrol in 2 (3 credit) courses in consultation with their supervisor.
View MEd Thesis-Based Program Planning SheetDoctoral Program
Students in the doctoral program must complete 15 course credits, pass the oral candidacy exam, and a dissertation.
Required Courses
EDPY 620 Advanced Seminar in Special Education
Elective Courses
In addition to the one required course listed above, students must
complete at least four three 3-credit courses related to their area of
specialization.
Oral Candidacy Examination
The Candidacy Examination occurs once all course work is completed, and within three years of the start of the PhD program. The Candidacy Examination is an oral examination, which is primarily intended to assess the student's ability to conduct independent research.
Dissertation
Students must successfully complete and defend a dissertation on an approved research topic developed in consultation with the student's supervisor. The scope and quality of the dissertation must represent an advance in knowledge of the candidate's field of study and should be appropriate to form the basis for at least one refereed journal publication describing the methodology and results of the research.
View PhD Program Planning SheetAdmission Requirements
Applicants must:
- have obtained a four-year baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, offered by a recognized degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada, a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States, or a University in another country acceptable to the Admissions Committee;
- have acquired some practical experience in the application of special education (e.g., classroom, community, clinical contexts);
- provide two letters of reference; these must be from individuals who are knowledgeable and can speak about the applicant's abilities, potential to pursue graduate level work; and fit with the program area (oral language reading and writing).
- provide a statement of intent (1-2 pages). Please indicate how you would benefit from a Master’s program in reading writing, and oral language. Describe relevant practical, academic, and professional development experiences relevant to the program and your plans to use the information gained in the program upon graduation.
Admission decisions are made based on a relative ranking of all applicants in the following five categories: 1) previous academic record; 2) academic background related to the program; 3) relevant practical experience; 4) statement of intent; and 5) letters of recommendation.
Students are NOT required to complete the GRE for admission purposes.
Applicants must:
- have obtained a four-year baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, offered by a recognized degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada, a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States, or a University in another country acceptable to the Admissions Committee;
- have acquired some practical experience in the application of special education (e.g., classroom, community, clinical contexts);
- provide two letters of reference; these must be from individuals who are knowledgeable and can speak about the applicant's abilities, potential to pursue graduate level work; and fit with the program area (oral language reading and writing).
- provide a statement of intent (1-2 pages). Please indicate how you would benefit from a Master’s program in reading writing, and oral language. Describe relevant practical, academic, and professional development experiences relevant to the program and your plans to use the information gained in the program upon graduation.
- have secured a supervisor for their program.
Please note that the English Language Proficiency (EPL) requirements for this program are higher than the minimum scores required by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies. Please review the required scores in the Application Process section below.
Admission decisions are made based on a relative ranking of all applicants in the following six categories: 1) previous academic record; 2) academic background in area of interest; 3) relevant experience; 4) statement of intent; 5) letters of recommendation; and 6) area of interest fits with supervisor research program.
Applicants applying for the Doctoral Program in Special Education must:
- have obtained a Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., education, psychology, linguistics, social work, rehabilitation medicine). Applicants with insufficient background in learning and educational research may be required to take additional courses;
- secure a supervisor before being accepted to the PhD program. Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors 3-6 months prior to the application deadline;
- provide a statement of intent answering the following three questions:
a. How have your professional experiences prepared you for a doctoral program that specializes in special education?
b. How have your previous research experiences prepared you for advanced research?
c. What research would you like to undertake during your doctoral degree and which identified faculty member has agreed to consider taking you on for supervision should you meet all the admission requirements and get an offer of admission.
Please note that the English Language Proficiency (EPL) requirements for this program are higher than the minimum scores required by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies. Please review the required scores in the Application Process section below.
Applicants are NOT required to complete the GRE for admission purposes.
Application Process
Please review the admissions requirements to confirm your eligibility. An
applicant's undergraduate academic performance, letters of reference, work
experience, letter of intent, and areas of academic interest are all taken into
account during the selection process for all graduate programs. Please be advised there are quotes in many program routes.
Graduate students applying to the MEd (Thesis) or the PhD program must
have a faculty member agree to supervise their program before admission is
approved. We strongly recommend reaching out to potential supervisors 3-6
months prior to applying to the program. Course-based students do not require a supervisor. Course-based student are assigned an advisor upon entry.
For the upcoming admission cycle:
- Dr. George Georgiou - Accepting Masters thesis and Doctoral students
- Dr. Denyse Hayward - Accepting Masters thesis students
- Dr. Joanne Weber - Accepting Masters thesis and Doctoral students
- Dr. Lynn McQuarrie - Not accepting students at the current time
- Dr. Lesly Wade-Woolley - Not accepting students at the current time
Once you have verified your eligibility, please apply for admission through the Graduate Studies Management System (GSMS). The Graduate Studies Management System is managed by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) which plays a key role in providing final admissions approval for all graduate students across the University of Alberta.
All items must be received by the application deadline, including reference letters. Therefore, please ensure that your application for admission is submitted at least two weeks before the deadline.
Please note that the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies requires all transcripts and mark sheets to meet specific guidelines.
In order to successfully submit your application for admission, you will be required to upload the following supporting documents to the online application system:
Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
Current CV is required when applying for admission.
Statement of Intent
Provide a statement of intent.
Two letters of reference
Please provide the system with electronic addresses of your 2 referees. The system will then send an electronic invitation to each referee requesting a letter of reference that they will upload only after the applicant has submitted their application.
Transcripts (from all post-secondary institutions attended)
You are required to scan and upload each page (front and back) of your transcript(s). Please see FGPS's requirements for academic documents. All North American transcripts must be issued within 12 months of the date of application. Preference is for official scanned copies of transcripts. If not, follow the instructions for online/web versions strictly.
Applicants from other countries must provide (scanned copies):
- Original language marksheets/transcripts, or attested true copies, directly from each institution;
- Original language final degree certificates, or attested true copies, directly from each institution;
- Original English translation of marksheets/transcripts directly from each institution or an official translator and;
- Original English translation of final degree certificates directly from each institution or an official translator.
If admitted to the program, original documentation will be required by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) requires all applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. Applicants with degrees/qualifications in a language other than English need to demonstrate English Language Proficiency by completing an approved English language exam.
The following are acceptable:
- TOEFL score of 580 paper-based; OR
- TOEFL score of 237 computer-based; OR
- TOEFL score of 93 Internet-based (IBT), with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing, and 21 on reading and listening (ITP not accepted); OR
- IELTS Academic score of 7 with no band less than 6.5; OR
- Pearson Test of English score of 63
- CAMBRIDGE score of 185 with no subscore less than 176
Once we have received all of the required documents, your application is considered complete and the application will move forward to the review process. Applicants will be notified in the GSMS Application Portal once an official decision has been made.
Successful applicants will receive the official letter of acceptance issued by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) in the GSMS portal. A department letter will follow that will outline further details of the admission including potential information such as funding offers or program information. Successful international applicants will require the letter of acceptance from FGPS in order to proceed with the application for travel documents such as a study permit and VISA.
IMPORTANT: Official documents (transcripts, degree certificates, etc.) may be required upon receiving the conditional offer of admission letter. Documents must be sent directly from the post-secondary institution to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies office. Detailed instructions will be outlined in your offer letter.
What you need to know
Accepting Applications:
Master's Program (Course-Based)
October 15, 2025 and January 15, 2026
Master's Program (Thesis)
October 15, 2024 - January 15, 2025
Doctoral Program
October 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024
Contact:
Graduate Advisor
Please direct admissions questions, program inquiries, etc., to essgrad1@ualberta.ca.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Denyse Hayward
dhayward@ualberta.ca
Program Faculty
Dr. George Georgiou
Dr. Denyse Hayward
Dr. Lynn McQuarrie
Dr. Lesly Wade-Woolley
Dr. Joanne Weber