Master of Arts in Special Education

30 credits

Includes the following specializations: deaf education, emotional/behavior disorders, mild interventions, severe disabilities, early childhood special education, general special education, special education administration (Director of Exceptional Needs/Special Education), and visual impairments. Completion of one or more of these specializations may lead to 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.

Generally, special education undergraduate majors select this master’s degree program option either to strengthen their bachelor’s degree preparation or to acquire another area of special education licensure..

Degree requirements

The MA requires completion of at least 30 credits of graduate course work. A minimum of 15 credits must be completed in the major area of study, supplemented by a research course and 9 credits of designated courses in a second area of special education. Typically, students will follow a plan of study prescribed by special education licensure standards.