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School of Education - George Mason University

Our highly regarded master’s degree program provides skills and knowledge for working in the field of special education. The Accelerated Master’s program is a pathway for students to finish their Master’s in an accelerated timeframe.

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s program and obtain their BA or BS in any degree area and a Masters in Special Education within an accelerated time frame. The MEd, Special Education Accelerated Master’s is commonly paired with undergraduate degrees in Special Education, individualized studies, integrative studies and other fields focused on supporting the development of others.

  • Students in the BSEd, Special Education can earn a second special education licensure endorsement, develop a specialization in the field, or earn a certificate in applied behavior analysis, autism spectrum disorders, or assistive technology.
  • Students in other BA and BS degrees at Mason can develop specialized skills and knowledge in areas such as assistive technology, autism, behavior, mild disabilities, multiple/severe disabilities, or visual impairments to further development in their field or to diversify career opportunities.
  • Students working in the schools can pair a BIS or BAIS with the MEd in Special Education to begin licensure coursework as an undergraduate which can be completed in graduate work.

How does it work?

Admitted students can take up to 12 credits of coursework that can count for both undergraduate and graduate credit. Additionally, students may take up to 6 additional credits of graduate coursework to reserve for use solely in their graduate program. Upon completion of their undergraduate degree requirements, eligible students transition directly into the graduate program, which can then be completed within one year.

Where Will a Master’s Degree in Special Education Take You?

Many of our graduates excel working as educators, but an understanding of special education can be important in settings beyond the classroom. Studying special education benefits aspiring consultants, advocates, tutors, parents, curriculum specialists, school leaders, coordinators, and other practitioners.

Why Choose Mason's Special Education Program?

The special education program was ranked fifteenth nationally (and fourteenth among public institutions) in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School rankings.

Our online special education graduate program was ranked nineteenth in the country by U.S. News & World Report for 2021. It’s our third straight year in the top twenty and highlights our program’s flexibility.

Mason houses both Mason LIFE, a program providing a supportive academic environment for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities. Our graduate students can often be found working on projects done by these leading organizations, giving them valuable real-world experience.