Special Education Master's Degree (M.Ed.)

The M.Ed. professional degree offers individualized preparation for students who have completed undergraduate programs in special education or related areas. The program stresses field-based learning and experiences while offering ample opportunities to participate in teaching, research, and service. Basic requirements include a core of courses and field-based competencies common to all areas of special education including high incidence disabilities, severe disabilities, early childhood education, and visual impairments.

Field experiences are a key component of your individual program of studies. You will be able to work with children and adults with mental retardation, autism, language impairments, behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, visual impairments, orthopedic disabilities, or multiple disabilities.

Program Areas
The Early Childhood M.Ed. Program is designed to serve infants, toddlers, young children, and their families who deal with a wide range of developmental delays including cognitive, communication, social, adaptive behavior, and/or motor skills.

The High Incidence M.Ed. Program is designed for those intending to work with children and young adults with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and mild/mental retardation.

The Low-Incidence Disabilities Program is intended for those who wish to focus on students with severe disabilities, or students who are blind or have low vision.

The Applied Behavior Analysis Certification Program teaches students to conduct functional behavioral assessments, write behavior intervention programs, and to consult/implement those intervention programs for a range of individuals with behavior problems.

“I got involved in a study through the Medical Center to determine whether educating children with hearing loss is more effective in a center-base or home-base setting, and I got to work at the Bill Wilkerson Lab’s audiology clinic. I’m hoping to go to grad school for audiology and then use that within the school system.” – Casey Bateman,  Special Education