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UBC's Special Education program focuses on teaching students with unique needs, including those with visual impairments, developmental challenges, emotional or behavioral difficulties, learning differences, exceptional abilities, and hearing impairments. The faculty is dedicated to advancing inclusive approaches that foster independence, self-advocacy, and full participation for individuals with disabilities and special requirements across home, educational, and social environments.
Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) must have completed one of the following requirements prior to admission: a master's degree (or equivalent) from an approved institution, with clear evidence of research ability or potential and a minimum overall average in the B+ grade range (76-79% at UBC) in all graduate courses; a bachelor's degree, with one year of study in a master's program with 12 credits of first-class average, of which, normally, 9 credits must be at the 500 level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first-class standing, and clear evidence of research ability or potential. Transfer directly into a doctoral program is normally accomplished after the first year of study and will not be permitted after the completion of the second year in a master's program; or in exceptional cases, applicants who hold an honours bachelor's degree with an overall average in the A grade range and who demonstrate advanced research ability may be granted direct admission to a doctoral degree program on recommendation of the admitting graduate program and approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 90 overall with a minimum score of 22 in Reading & Listening and a minimum score of 21 in Writing & Speaking (Internet version); minimum score of 22 in Reading & Listening and a minimum score of 21 in Writing (paper version); or IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no individual component score less than 6.0; or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): minimum overall score of 85, with a final score of 3 in the speaking test.