Master of Arts in Education in Special Education

30 credits

Includes the following specializations: deaf education, emotional/behavior disorders, severe disabilities, mild interventions, early childhood special education, general special education, and visual impairments. Completion of one or more of these specializations may qualify students for employment as master teachers in such situations as resource rooms, self-contained classrooms, and local, state, and private agencies or residential schools serving children, youths, and adults with disabilities. Graduates are also prepared to serve as consultants in inclusionary settings. 

This option generally is selected by students who have earned bachelor’s degrees in elementary or secondary education. The MAE degree is also offered by distance education.

Degree requirements

The MAE requires completion of at least 30 credits of graduate course work. A minimum of 15 credits must be completed in the major, supplemented by a research course and at least three courses from the professional education core. Typically, students will follow a plan of study as prescribed by special education licensure standards.