Apply to the M.A. in Special Education Program

Located in the  "Program Materials" section in Cal State Apply.

In the "Program Materials" section, please upload copies of your unofficial transcripts.  This is for the program application only.

Please note:  For the university application, Graduate Admissions requires official transcripts from ALL colleges attended after high school, including transcripts with your most recently completed courses, are required for admission. 

Fresno State graduates are not required to submit Fresno State transcripts to the Admissions Office.

How do I submit official transcripts? 
Electronic- transcripts sent electronically or as a PDF attachment MUST come directly from the issuing institution. Transcripts emailed by the applicant will not be accepted for admission review. 

Have your institution email transcripts to:
Fresno State Admissions OR Fresno State Division of Graduate Studies
imaging@csufresno.edu*

Hardcopy- transcripts must remain in their original, sealed envelope. 

Transcripts should be mailed to:
Graduate Admissions Office
California State University, Fresno
5150 N. Maple Ave M/S JA57
Fresno, CA 93740-8026

*This is a secure email for transcript submission ONLY. Email any questions regarding your application or transcripts to graduateadmissions@csufresno.edu.

Graduate program applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted and a minimum of 3.0 on any Post Baccalaureate work at Fresno State

This is a 1 -2 page, typed statement of your purpose for applying to the program.  Focus on your present situation and your short and long-term professional goals. 

The General Program Recommendation with Letter Upload is required to be submitted by your recommender.  Request letters of reference from instructors, supervisors, or other individuals who are in a position to evaluate you in terms of your potential for graduate study in the program.  Three recommendations are required. 

In the "Recommenations" section, you will provide your recommender contact information.  Once you have saved an electronic recommendation, an email request will automatically be sent to the recommender on your behalf.  Please advise your recommender to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails do occasionally get filtered out.  

You must meet this requirement by one of the following:

• Obtaining a minimum of a 41+ on the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) writing portion, or pass all sections of the entire test (provide copy).
• Passing all 3 sections of the CSET Multiple Subject test and the Writing Skills test (provide copy).
• Obtaining a minimum passing score on the Upper Division Writing Examination (UDWE) as an undergraduate.
• Earning a grade of "B" or better in any "W" course taken at Fresno State.
• Substitution request approved by the Graduate Coordinator for course taken at another institution.

To have courses that you have taken at another institution reviewed for substitution, please complete the Writing Substitution Request form.

Please email the form, along with the required documents to the Renee Petch, the Graduate Admissions Analyst at rpetch@csufresno.edu

Forms may also be submitted in person to the Center for Advising and Student Services, Kremen Building room 100, or they may be mailed to:

Kremen School of Education and Human Development
Center for Advising and Student Services
Attn:  Renee Petch
5005 N. Maple Ave, M/S 301
Fresno, CA 93740

You must have successfully completed a Level I or Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program.

If you are a student at Fresno State, you must be in the final semester of the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program to be accepted into the Clear Education Specialist Credential program.  Submit a copy of the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential once it has been granted by the Commission for Teacher Credentialing (CTC). 

If you received your Level I or Preliminary Education Specialist Credential from another institution, you must present a copy of the credential.

This brief interview is required by state law and will relate to your progress in the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program, your satisfaction and success in your Preliminary Education Specialist Credential authorized work setting and your suitability for the Clear Education Specialist Credential program. 

Arrangements can be made by contacting the Program Coordinator, Dr. Michael Mahoney at mwmm@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Fill in the information and submit with required documentation.

Program Application

Provide a copy of all unofficial transcripts (or copy of official transcripts).

Graduate program applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted and a minimum of 3.0 on any post-baccalaureate work at Fresno State.

You must have successfully completed a Level I or Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program.

If you are a student at Fresno State, you must be in the final semester of the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program to be accepted into the Clear Education Specialist Credential program.  Submit a copy of the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential once it has been granted by the Commission for Teacher Credentialing (CTC). 

If you received your Level I or Preliminary Education Specialist Credential from another institution, you must present a copy of the credential.

You must submit a Change of Major form to the Division of Graduate Studies in order to add the master's degree to your student program plan.

1.  Submit the payment first: https://commerce.cashnet.com/fresnoem_drgs 
2.  Complete the Major Change form and submit it to the Division of Research and Graduate Studies (DRGS).  More detailed instructions are also on both the form as well as the DRGS webpage:  https://academics.fresnostate.edu/drgs/gradstudies/forms/

Please provide copies of the receipt and form with your application.  This step must be completed in order for your application to be reviewed.