Master of Education in Special Education
Our highly regarded master’s degree program provides skills and knowledge for working in the field of special education. Students have a variety of options for their study and can individualize program content by selecting electives based on their interests or career focuses.
This 30-credit master's degree is designed to prepare both educators for the classroom and individuals working in a special education context outside of the classroom with the specialized skills and content knowledge needed to support the needs of individuals with disabilities. Students may focus their program on a specific area in the field by adding a concentration, or by completing a certificate program in conjunction with the MEd.
Teacher licensure pathways:
- K-12 Adapted Curriculum Licensure concentration
- K-12 General Curriculum Licensure concentration
- PK-12 Blindness and Visual Impairments Licensure concentration
- Add-On Endorsement in Special Education, General Curriculum graduate certificate
Specializations for experienced educators and professionals in non-classroom roles:
- Behavior Analysis concentration (can lead to national certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
- Graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ideal for educators and service providers supporting individuals across the lifespan)
Required Courses (15 credits)
- EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
- EDSE 517: Computer Applications for Special Populations (3 credits)
- EDSE 590: Special Education Research (3 credits) or BEHV 798: Thesis I (3 credits)
Language Development and Reading
Choose one:
- EDSE 503: Language Development and Reading (3 credits)
- EDSE 557: Foundations of Language and Literacy for Individuals with Severe Disabilities (3 credits)
- EDSE 625: Applied Behavior Analysis: Verbal Behavior (3 credits)
- EDSE 636: Supporting Communication and Literacy for Individuals with Autism (3 credits)
Consultation and Collaboration
Choose one:
- EDSE 637: Autism Across the Lifespan: Collaboration with Critical Partners (3 credits)
- EDSE 662: Consultation, Collaboration, and IEP Development (3 credits)
- EDSE 663: Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credits)
- EDSE 664: Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
Electives (15 credits)
Select 15 credits of elective coursework from graduate courses with the prefix EDSE or EDAT.