Special Education

Major: Special Education
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 48.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 13.1001
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-2051; 25-2052; 25-2053; 25-2054; 25-2059

About the Program

The Master of Science in Special Education program is intended for those interested in gaining greater skills and expertise in special education and/or acquire a teaching certificate in the area of special education. 

The courses address all required state and federal regulations as well as the Pennsylvania General Standards for Special Education and the competencies and standards outline by the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC). Graduates seeking Pennsylvania special education certification must either have an active Pennsylvania Instructional I or II teaching certificate or select the initial certification concentration to gain eligibility while in the program. 

The Master of Science in Special Education prepares professionals who are equipped with the fundamental skills, knowledge, and competencies they need to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The program is a flexible, part-time graduate program consisting of a minimum of 48.0 credits: 27.0 credits in core special education certification courses, a minimum of 12.0 credits in concentration courses*, and 9.0 credits in capstone research*. Most courses have a field component that has the student apply what they are learning to classroom experiences.

Available Concentrations

Autism Spectrum Disorders
Within the past decade, the number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder has increased drastically. Consequently, the need for professionals trained in this specialized area has significantly increased. This concentration is designed for those who seek additional expertise in this critical need area. It will provide knowledge and skills for working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as effective teaching methods, interventions, and supports. Students who have an active PA Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate are eligible to apply for the PA Autism Spectrum Disorders endorsement upon completion of EDEX 555 and the concentration courses.

Collaborative Special Education Law and Process
Meeting the needs of children with disabilities through school-family-community collaboration is an ambitious goal of educational policy in the United States. An implementing objective is to develop highly qualified special education teachers and administrators in schools and the community, as well as to offer special education collaborative knowledge and practical skills training to parents and advocates. Their cooperative partnership is imperative to support the provisions for the successful learning of all students as incorporated and mandated in legislation such as Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).

Dyslexia Specialist
It is estimated that up to 20% of school age children experience difficulty with some aspect of literacy. This course sequence gives teachers the necessary skills to provide direct instruction in a multisensory, phonetic-based program to students with decoding deficits. With successful completion of the coursework, students are eligible for WILSON^® Level 1 Certification. The Wilson Reading System^® is recognized nationwide and is a highly desirable certification to have in special education.

Special Education Leadership
The courses in the Special Education Leadership concentration focus on change, finance, evaluation and assessment, and technology. Students must complete all courses and meet the prerequisite standards established by the PA Department of Education for recommendation for the PA supervisor of special education certification.

Applied Behavior Analysis
The ABA concentration prepares candidates with the background and knowledge related to applying behavior therapies in schools with a focus on behavior assessment, intervention, and consultation.             

Social Emotional Behavioral Wellness 
Social Emotional Learning is an empirically based approach to the non-academic barriers that students face in order to achieve a set of positive goals. Research shows that 1 in 5 students will experience some type of mental health issue during their time in school. This certificate is designed to help teachers and prospective teachers learn how to create positive classroom environments and how to execute evidence-based, age-appropriate strategies to foster social, emotional, and behavior wellness in PreK-12 students within a multi-tiered system of support. Students who have an active PA Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate are eligible to apply for the PA Social Emotional Behavioral endorsement.                                                                                                                                                                                           

*Students may take coursework to obtain a Pennsylvania teaching certificate while in the program. Students choosing this option will take core education courses in lieu of the concentration and capstone courses.               

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please visit the School of Education's website. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the program will follow the university standards for admission to graduate study. Prospective students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for admission (graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA).

In addition, prospective students are required to submit the following:

• Completed application form including official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal essay
• Resume

The admissions committee will evaluate the applicant’s potential and commitment to succeed in graduate study in the online environment. The applicant’s potential to contribute to the overall quality of the program of study will also be considered.

Interviews, in person or by phone, may be conducted by the admissions committee with those applicants who meet Graduate Admissions' standard admissions criteria.

Degree Requirements 

The Master of Science in Special Education requires a minimum of 48.0 credits consisting of 27.0 credits in core special education certification courses, a minimum of 12.0 credits in concentration courses, and 9.0 credits in capstone research. For a certification in special education, students must have completed 9.0 prerequisite credits in special education accommodations to apply for certification in Pennsylvania.

A field component is required in most courses.

Program Requirements 

*

The Dyslexia Specialist Certificate program courses fulfill certain requirements (but not all) for the Wilson Language Level I certification.

**

The Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration fulfills the coursework requirements for BCBA certification. Additional requirements are needed.

Sample Plan of Study

MS Special Education Plan of Study (students obtaining an initial certification)

MS Special Education Plan of Study (for students not obtaining an initial certification)

Candidates pursuing Special Education Leadership Concentration will enroll in additional 1.0 credit Internship Courses in First Year, Spring Term (EDEX 721) and Summer Term (EDEX 722), and Second Year Fall Term (EDEX 723) and Spring Term (EDEX 724).

MS Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration Plan of Study

Education Faculty

Emeritus Faculty