Designed to inform both educators in the classroom and individuals working in a special education context outside of the classroom of the specialized skills and content knowledge needed to support the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Special Education, MEd (Non-licensure)
The 30-credit MEd in Special Education (Non-licensure concentration) provides students the opportunity to individualize their program of study to work with children and adults with disabilities across their lifespan. Students in this concentration do not complete licensure requirements. The Non-Licensure concentration may be used as a pathway to doctoral studies.
Application to Fully Online ABA or Autism (non-teaching) Programs
Application to On Campus/Blended Programs
Coursework
Language Development and Reading - 3 Credits
Select one from the following:
Consultation and Collaboration - 3 Credits
Select one from the following:
Restricted Electives – 15 Credits
Select from graduate EDAT or EDSE courses
Total Credits: 30
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's program and obtain either a BA or BS in any degree area and an MEd in Special Education within an accelerated time frame. The Accelerated Master’s program allows students to apply six credits, taken while an undergraduate, toward both their Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Additionally, students can take an additional six credits as reserve graduate credit in order to start their MEd program with twelve graduate credits already completed. Students planning to pursue Virginia teacher licensure in Adapted Curriculum, Special Education-General Curriculum or Visual Impairments can maximize their program by taking Accelerated Master’s courses that will also apply towards teacher licensure.
This campus-based program offers face-to-face classes, online courses and hybrid courses.
LIFE Graduate Assistantships: The Learning Into Future Environments (LIFE) Program is an innovative post-secondary program at Mason. Students have an opportunity to work as instructors in the LIFE program which provides them with field experience in a supportive, supervised setting.
Graduate Research Assistantships: Part time positions are available for students interested in providing research support to faculty.
Virginia Educator Discount: A 15% discount off the university’s approved tuition rate is available for qualifying in-state graduate students who are educators in Virginia.
Program Highlights
Special Education Students Employed by the Mason LIFE Program
The Mason LIFE Program provides our special education students opportunities such as: instructor, resident advisor, internship, practicum, licensure, independent study, field work, mentor, Best Buddy, and volunteer to gain important experiences and knowledge to work successfully with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
