The Master of Science in Special Education (licensure) is offered with the following specializations:

• Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential – Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) – Internship
• Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential – Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) – Student Teaching

Note: Students enrolled in courses where fieldwork hours are completed in a setting that does not align with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing's clinical hours guidelines may not receive verification for credential/licensure.

What will I study as a Master of Science in Special Education student?

As a student in this program, you’ll take courses on subjects including the following:

• Techniques for assessing reading difficulties
• Current issues in special education
• Lesson planning and teaching methods for inclusive classrooms
• Behavior and classroom management strategies for students with special needs
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Teacher-parent collaboration for student support
• Special education curriculum design
• Impact of culture on learning
• School leadership
• Biblical pedagogy
• Experimental design

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

1. Complete and submit the online application

2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

Official Transcripts

• Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
  • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
  • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
    • Mail transcripts to:
      Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
      13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
• Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

Reference Letters

• Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

Essays

• Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

• Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
  • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
    • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
    • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
    • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
  • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
    • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
    • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
    • Official catalog verification
    • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
  • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
  • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses.
    • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 / Duolingo 110–124.
    • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

4. Complete program-specific admissions requirements:

With Credential

• Writing Proficiency — Writing proficiency will be evaluated for each applicant in one or more of the following ways: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, passage of the CBEST or all CSET subtests, an academic paper, the application essays, OR the GRE.
• Verify Certificate of Clearance — For California residents who do not hold a valid credential: Verify possession of Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Verify Subject Matter Competency — At admission, applicants will need to verify subject matter competency in a core academic subject area (English, economics, reading/language arts, mathematics, multiple subjects, history, science, art, geography, civics/government and foreign language) or demonstrate evidence of continuous progress toward meeting the subject matter competency in a core academic subject area by one of the following:
  • Present a letter verifying completion of a state-approved subject matter waiver program
  • Present evidence of an attempt of at least one subtest of CSET
  • Present proof of enrollment to take the CSET
  • Present proof of enrollment in a CSET preparation course or evidence of purchasing CSET preparation materials
• Meet Basic Skills Requirement (or attempt CBEST) — Attempt the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or have satisfied the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).
• Fieldwork Eligibility (outside of California) — For non-California residents: Provide proof of eligibility to complete fieldwork in non-California classroom.

Without Credential

• Writing Proficiency — Writing proficiency will be evaluated for each applicant in one or more of the following ways: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, passage of the CBEST or all CSET subtests, an academic paper, the application essays, OR the GRE.
• Verify Certificate of Clearance — For California residents who do not hold a valid credential: Verify possession of Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Fieldwork Eligibility (outside of California) — For non-California residents: Provide proof of eligibility to complete fieldwork in non-California classroom.

5. Interview with a faculty member

   • After your application and all supplemental application requirements are submitted and approved, you will have an in-person or phone/video interview (if long distance or online) with a faculty member.

 

Things to Note

• Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
• Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
• International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.