Special Education: MA, MS, MEd

Master’s and doctoral degrees are offered under the special education major. The master’s specializations include early intervention- early childhood special education and kindergarten through 12th grade, cross-categorical.

Graduates attain positions in the United States and abroad in the following areas:

• Teaching children and youth with disabilities
• Conducting individual and group interventions
• Consulting with teachers about educating children with disabilities in general education classrooms and school settings
• Collaborating with families
• Working in community-based programs
• Managing residential living centers
• Conducting research
• Coordinating in-service training programs
• Serving in higher-education faculty positions
• Working in the administration of special education programs

Students earn initial teaching credentials in licensure and endorsement programs but can also pursue the master’s degree to enhance their skills—as early interventionists, special education teachers, or consultants—to work in adult service programs for people with disabilities, or to prepare for the doctoral program.

The summer term admissions are only for the early intervention licensure students. The K-12 licensure program and master's degree without licensure admit students for Fall only. We also offer a K-12 licensure option or a master's with no licensure option, and those options only do fall term admissions.

We also offer a stand-alone special education endorsement designed to provide training in special education for already licensed/in-service teachers. Please contact the College of Education for more information.

Application at a Glance

You apply for admission through your program. Detailed instructions are available on the program’s website. The following are required for your application:

• Official Transcripts
• English Language Proficiency Requirement
• Financial Verification for International Applicants

Program-Specific Application Requirements:

• Character questionnaire
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Professional goal statement
• Resume or CV