Master’s degree in special education program guide

Intro to a master’s in special education

The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that disabled students make up approximately 14% of all public school enrollment. A master’s degree in special education is designed to educate individuals who want to pursue a career supporting people with disabilities.

This program is designed to advance your knowledge of special education, with opportunities to concentrate your studies in a particular area or field. For example, if you want to work with people with autism spectrum disorder you could look for a university that would allow you to specialize in autism intervention and assessment.

What do I need to apply?

Admissions requirements vary by program, but all require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree, and most have minimum GPA requirements. You may also be asked to provide academic references, a personal statement, and/or test scores.

The academic references can be written by a professor or tutor from your undergraduate program or a counselor who is familiar with your academic skills. Your personal statement showcases why you are a good candidate for the program, and provides an opportunity to introduce yourself to a prospective school.

Online vs. on-campus

Many universities now offer master’s programs exclusively online, or with a hybrid component. This is a great option for those who live far from campus or have tight daytime schedules due to work and family commitments. Online programs or classes give more flexibility and independence when managing coursework.

Hybrid classes are a blend of online and face-to-face learning. For example, a hybrid class might have scheduled meetings on-campus, online lectures and tutorials, and an expectation that coursework is submitted online.

» Read: How to successfully complete online classes

Does my university need to be accredited?

The short answer is yes. To have your degree recognized by future employers or academic programs, you should make sure that you only apply to accredited universities. Accreditation is a sign that the program you are enrolled in has reached a standard of excellence set by the national accreditation agencies. For you, this means that your course has passed the test and that you are signing up for the real academic deal.

This process is especially important when working in the special education field. One of these accreditation agencies is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation which ensures that the students graduating from this program are prepared for educational or professional advancement.

Coursework

The classes in a master’s program take a deeper look into special education policies, laws, evidence-based theories, and curriculum development. Upon completion of the program, the graduate should have an advanced understanding of how to support children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities.

Developmental foundations

This course seeks to build on the foundations set into place during undergraduate programs in special education, and continue reviewing educational theories and psychology. Students are taught about cognition and learning development which is applied to teaching.

Behavior analysis

Behavior analysis is the scientific approach to analyzing behavior, and how environmental factors affect it. This course focuses on principles, techniques, and research into child behavior, which can be used to assess behaviors and to implement meaningful changes in a child’s life.

Language and literacy support

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to support people with disabilities in reading, language, and literacy. It takes a look at phonetics, phonological awareness, oral and written language strategies to support people who may have difficulties reading.

Practicum

The practicum component of a master’s program is when a student gets to apply their knowledge to a real-life situation, under the guidance of a supervisor. It is a valuable experience for students to learn from experienced professionals who work in the field.

Special education law/policy

This course is an overview of the legal rights of people with disabilities and their families. It covers the history and current status of laws put into place to protect people with disabilities, the judicial decisions, and the American legal process.

Classroom and behavior management

When working with diverse learners, it is important to have an understanding of classroom and behavior management. The course offers strategies and systems meant to manage difficult classroom behaviors, helping to create an environment conducive to learning for all students.

Community collaboration

This course focuses on the collaboration of families and professionals to promote communication between the people and agencies in a child’s life. By applying knowledge on cultural and linguistic diversity, students can develop the skills needed to identify and apply this information to appropriately meet a child’s educational needs.

Thesis

A thesis is a paper students write which sums up the knowledge they’ve learned in the master’s program. A thesis highlights a student’s in-depth understanding of a particular area in special education. Generally, between 40-80 pages in length, the thesis is also evidence that the student has developed essential writing and research skills.

Concentrations

A concentration within the master’s program is a set of classes which specialize in a particular aspect of special education. Selecting a specific concentration can give the student an advanced set of skills to better prepare them for their future career.

Autism intervention

In 2020, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 in 54 children in the United States were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which makes autism awareness an important portion of special education. A concentration in autism awareness introduces students to the disorder, how to support students with ASD, and assess ASD to implement positive educational programs.

» Read: How counselors support children and families with ASD

Educational diagnostician

A concentration in educational diagnostics teaches how to effectively assess and diagnose the special learning needs of students using different assessment techniques. Students are presented with different prevention and intervention strategies which can be applied to an educational setting.

High incidence disabilities

High incidence disabilities are sometimes known as mild disabilities. This can include emotional or behavioral disorders, ADHD, or learning disabilities. This concentration prepares you to identify specific learning needs and create educational programs for these students. Graduates can apply this knowledge to working as teachers or intervention specialists.

Gifted and talented

This focuses on children who show evidence of high achievement in specific academic fields, creativity, leadership, or intellectuality. Children who are categorized as gifted or talented have different curriculum needs, and graduates from this concentration learn how to develop an appropriate program for these children.

Financial aid

If you need financial assistance to study, be aware that there are federal grants like FASFA, scholarships, and loans available to qualifying master’s students. FASFA is a needs-based program that requires applicants to fill in an online application with information about themselves and their financial situation. Scholarships are granted by governments, corporations, universities, or organizations to help applicants pay for their education. For example, the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries offers scholarships for graduate studies in special education.

» Read: Write a scholarship essay like a pro

Career options

Completing a master’s program in special education can open many doors for future employment in an array of work environments. Completing a teaching credential qualify students to work in a public school, and earning additional certifications enable employment in hospitals, physical therapy clinics, or assisted living facilities.

Continuing education

A Ph.D. program can take 3-8 years depending on the research and coursework required. At the end of the program, the information is presented as a thesis or dissertation. While sometimes you work with others in your cohort, the work is mostly independent.

Doctorate in Special Education

A doctorate in special education is a terminal degree, the highest award available in the field of special education. Graduates often work as administrators, directors of clinical programs, or teach at the post-secondary level. Depending on your research topic and speed, a Ph.D. in special education can take anywhere from 3 to 6 years to complete.

Doctorate in child development / developmental psychology

Pursuing a doctorate in child development or developmental psychology will teach you about the research and theory that pertains to child development and applying it to the real world.. |As with most other doctoral programs, you will be conducting original research that is required to be eligible for graduation.

Doctorate of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)

Students in the Ph.D. program conduct their own research seeking new information about education. This program is best for students who want to pursue a career working as a postsecondary teacher, or researcher at the university level.