Advisors: Kristal Ehrhardt, George Haus, Paula Kohler, Daniel Morgan, Shaila Rao, Sarah Summy, Luchara Wallace, Elizabeth Whitten
Room 3506, Sangren Hall

The Master of Arts in Special Education prepares students to locate, organize, critically evaluate, and use research-based practices to provide quality education services to students with disabilities; collaborate with other educators, families, and service providers to solve problems in the field of special education; and to produce new information related to the field. Students develop competencies in information literacy, assessment, curriculum development, collaboration, differentiated instruction, transition education, and leadership through a curriculum aligned with professional standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children.

Admission Procedures, all options

Students seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Special Education program should request a Master’s Degree Program Application packet from the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies or download the packet from the departmental website.  Students must follow all instructions on the Graduate Self-Managed Application form and send the following supplemental materials to the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies: 1) Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies Master’s Degree Program Application, 2) copy of teaching certificate/endorsement(s), 3) current resume, 4) written statement of professional goals, explaining why a special education degree is sought, and 5) three letters of reference (at least one reference must be able to address the applicants academic skills). International students who speak a language other than English as their first language must submit a TOEFL score. At the discretion of the Special Education faculty, applicants may be interviewed prior to admission. 

Applications are evaluated on the basis of: 1) undergraduate grade point average, minimum GPA of 3.0 (a graduate grade point average may be considered if at least 9 hours of recent and relevant course work have been completed), 2) experience in special education or a related field, 4) congruence of professional goals and requested program option, 5) writing skills, 6) professional references. International students must submit a TOEFL score of 550 or better to be considered for admission. Admission deadlines are November 1, February 1, April 1, and August 1. To be considered for admission, applicants’ files must be complete by the deadline preceding the semester they seek entry.