Application Fee (Required)
$65 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
$80 for international students.
English Proficiency Test (Required)
This program uses the Graduate School's English Language Proficiency Score Requirements and Minimum Scores for Regular Admission.
Minimum Scores for Regular Admission
TOEFL iBT: 4.5 (no sub score less than 4) (or 79 for students who took the test prior to January 2026)
IELTS: 6.5 (no sub score less than 6)
Duolingo English Test: 120 (no sub score less than 110)
PTE: 59
More information is available at https://graduate.ua.edu/applicants/international-students/.
Entrance Exam (Required)
A recent (within the last five years) GRE score of 300 (verbal + quantitative) or higher
Letter of Recommendation (3 Required)
Contact information for three academic and professional recommenders provided at time of application.
Resume (Required)
A curriculum vitae is required.
Statement of Purpose (Required)
A convincing, written rationale as to why they wish to pursue this degree, how its focus/purposes are consistent with their career goals, and how they plan to meet the on-campus residency requirement. This purpose statement must address the following: (1) the student’s rationale for applying for the Ph.D.; (2) a statement regarding career and professional goals; and (3) a statement of how the student’s rationale and career goals are consistent with the purpose of the Ph.D. degree as articulated by the Department and Program.
Transcript (Required)
Please upload an unofficial transcript for any institution of higher education at which you have completed 15 or more credit hours. Official transcripts must be received prior to registering for classes. International applicants: please make sure that your transcript includes a grading scheme. All others: please include a grading scheme if your university does not use a letter-based (e.g. A, A-, B) grading scheme. The minimum GPA to be considered for regular admission is a 3.0 on a 4-point scale. Students who do not meet these requirements, but who excel in other areas, may be considered for Admission with Permission to Continue.
Additional Requirements (not listed) (Recommended)
For additional requirements: please visit: https://catalog.ua.edu/graduate/education/special-education/special-education-phd/#requirementstext