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Special Education (M.Ed.)

Improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities at the top special education graduate program in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

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Peabody’s Master’s in Special Education at a Glance

  • A master’s degree in special education for students who are eager to become educators with a focus on high-incidence, severe disabilities or visual disabilities
  • Hands-on field experiences, supervised research and close faculty mentorship
  • Strong career outcomes, with 100% of job-seeking graduates employed or enrolled in graduate study within four months
  • Ranked among the best special education programs by U.S. News & World Report

Special Education Master’s Program Highlights

When becoming a special education teacher at Peabody College, your studies will focus on one of three special education areas: high incidence, severe disabilities or visual disabilities. 

  • 30–60 credit hour program with three focus areas to choose from
  • Programs of study are planned in consultation with faculty advisors
  • Required courses vary by specialization
  • Hands-on opportunities to apply coursework to field-based learning
  • Comprehensive exam and project or thesis required to satisfy degree requirements
  • Eligibility for the Teacher Pathway Scholarship and U.S. Department of Education grants
Sissy Peters, M.Ed.

"I know with confidence that my impact in the field reflects Peabody's No. 1 ranking."

Sissy Peters, M.Ed., Curriculum Manager, Faculty Development, HCA Healthcare

Explore how to teach for impact with a master of education in our digital guidebook.

Special Education Program Facts

Program Director: Alexandra Da Fonte
Admissions Coordinator: Katherine Prioletti
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 30-60

Key Application Dates

  • Priority Decision 1

    December 1*

  • Priority Decision 2

    January 3

  • Rolling Decision

    After January 3

*For more information on application dates and requirements, and the benefits of Priority Decision, see the How to Apply page.

Teacher Pathway Scholarship

  • Scholarship Details

    The Teacher Pathway scholarship guarantees a minimum 30 percent scholarship to all admitted students in initial licensure programs and advanced programs, and a minimum 20 percent scholarship for teacher leadership programs (eligible programs listed below).

    This guaranteed funding has been put in place in order to

    • broaden access to high-quality graduate education for individuals hoping to enter the teaching profession, and
    • make a commitment to increasing the teacher workforce, particularly in Tennessee.

    Eligible Programs include:

    • Initial Licensure Programs (30% minimum scholarship)
      • Secondary Education
      • Elementary Education
      • Multilingual Education
      • Integrated Early Childhood Education
      • Special Education
    • Advanced Programs (30% minimum scholarship)
      • Human Development Counseling (School Counseling track only)
      • Reading Education
    • Teacher Leadership Programs (20% minimum scholarship)
      • K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy (Ed.D)

    Scholarship cannot be combined with other Peabody scholarships; if a student is eligible for multiple awards, the larger amount will be granted. Students who accept grant-funded positions with tuition coverage and those who opt out of merit aid consideration are excluded from the scholarship.

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Special Ed Master’s Degree Pathways

Becoming a special education teacher at Peabody allows you to develop competencies in all categories of exceptionality, but your studies will focus on one of three special education track areas:

High Incidence

The High Incidence track is for those intending to become intervention specialists for children and young adults with reading and math disabilities and persistent behavior problems.

Low Incidence: Severe Disabilities

Within the Low Incidence Program, the Severe Disabilities track is designed for those intending to serve students with intellectual disability, autism, multiple disabilities and other intensive support needs.

Low Incidence: Visual Disabilities

The Visual Disabilities track in the Low Incidence Program is for those intending to serve students with visual impairments, blindness, and deafblindness, and to collaborate with teachers, school staff, and families.

For those interested in early childhood education, see our Integrated Early Childhood Education program.

Because there is a shortage of qualified special education teachers, your education may be funded through U.S. Department of Education grants.

Master’s in Special Education Curriculum

The Special Education degree program stresses field-based learning and experience, with the opportunity to participate in supervised research. Programs of study are planned in consultation with the faculty advisor. To satisfy your degree requirements, you will take a comprehensive sit-down exam that evaluates your competence in the field of special education and complete a master's specialty area project or thesis.

Master of Education in Special Education Outcomes

Graduates of the Special Education (M.Ed.) program are prepared to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities across a range of educational and community settings. Of job-seeking graduates, 100 percent were employed or enrolled in graduate study within four months of graduation.

Graduates pursue roles such as:

  • Special education teacher (across disability areas and grade levels)
  • Intervention specialist
  • Behavior analyst
  • Instructional coach or special education coach
  • Community-based transition educator
  • Advocate or support specialist for individuals with disabilities
  • Roles supporting students or adults with visual impairments

Career outcomes vary by specialization. Explore each track’s page to see role-specific pathways and examples aligned with High Incidence, Severe Disabilities and Visual Disabilities.

Special Education (M.Ed.) Coursework

  • Required Courses by Specialization

    Early Childhood Special Education

    • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behavior
    • SPEDE 7100 Advanced Issues in Family Intervention
    • SPEDE 7400 Instruction and Learning in Early Childhood Special Education
    • SPEDE 7450 Screening and Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
    • SPEDE 7500 Special Topic: Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Special Education
    • SPEDE 7600 Recommended Practices in Early Elementary Grades for Students with Disabilities
    • SPEDE 7951 Field Work in Early Childhood Special Education
    • SPEDE 7953 Advanced Field Work in Early Childhood Special Education
    • SPEDH 7600 Advanced Procedures in Classroom Management and Social Skills Instruction for Students with Mild and Moderate Disabilities
    • SPEDS 7700 Characteristics of Students with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

    High Incidence (Intervention Specialist): K-8

    • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behavior
    • SPED 7810 Research Methods in Special Education
    • SPEDH 7100 Trends and Issues in Learning Disabilities or SPEDH 7200 Trends and Issues for Students with Behavior Disorders
    • SPEDH 7300 Teaching Mathematics to Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties: K-8
    • SPED 7350 Assessment for Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPED 7410 Teaching Reading to Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7420 Advanced Reading Methods for Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7440 Teaching Middle School Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7600 Advanced Procedures in Classroom Management and Social Skills Instruction for Students with Mild and Moderate Disabilities
    • SPEDH 7953 Advanced Field Work in Special Education

    High Incidence (Intervention Specialist): 6-12

    • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behavior
    • SPED 7810 Research Methods in Special Education
    • SPEDH 7100 Trends and Issues in Learning Disabilities or SPEDH 7200 Trends and Issues for Students with Behavior Disorders
    • SPEDH 7310 Teaching Mathematics to Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties: 6-12
    • SPED 7350 Assessment for Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7400 Teaching High School Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPED 7410 Teaching Reading to Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7440 Teaching Middle School Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7600 Advanced Procedures in Classroom Management and Social Skills Instruction for Students with Mild and Moderate Disabilities
    • SPEDH 7953 Advanced Field Work in Special Education

    High Incidence (Intensive Intervention Specialist)

    You must have teacher licensure to pursue this program area.

    • SPED 7350 Assessment for Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Difficulties
    • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behavior
    • SPED 7810 Research Methods in Special Education
    • SPED 7962 Practicum: Intensive Interventions for Students with Severe and Persistent Behavior Difficulties
    • SPED 7961 Practicum: Intensive Interventions for Students with Severe and Persistent Academic Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7100 Trends and Issues in Learning Disabilities or SPEDH 7200 Trends and Issues for Students with Behavior Disorders
    • SPEDH 7600 Advanced Procedures in Classroom Management and Social Skills Instruction for Students with Mild and Moderate Disabilities
    • SPEDH 7610 Intensive Interventions for Students with Severe and Persistent Academic Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7620 Intensive Interventions for Students with Severe and Persistent Behavior Difficulties
    • SPEDH 7800. Collaboration, Ethics, and Leadership to Support Students with Severe and Persistent Academic and Behavior Disabilities

    Severe Disabilities

    • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behavior
    • SPEDE 7100 Advanced Issues in Family Intervention
    • SPEDS 7100 Augmentative and Alternative Communication
    • SPEDS 7250 Methods of Instruction for Students with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities
    • SPEDS 7954 Field Work in Special Education: Autism, Intellectual, and Multiple Disabilities
    • SPEDS 7700 Characteristics of Students with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities
    • SPEDS 7200 Advanced Access to General Education and Teaching Functional Academics
    • SPEDS 7300 Advanced Procedures for Transition to Adult Life
    • SPEDS 7710 Seminar: Current Issues in Autism and Severe Disabilities
    • SPEDS 7953 Advanced Fieldwork in Multiple and Severe Disabilities
    • SPEDS 7991 Extended Student Teaching for Graduate Students

    Visual Disabilities

    • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behavior
    • SPED 8810 Introduction to Single-Subject Research Methodology
    • SPEDV 7510 Medical and Educational Implications of Visual Impairments
    • SPEDV 7520 Educational Procedures for Students with Visual Impairments
    • SPEDV 7530 Advanced Braille
    • SPEDV 7540 Communication and Literacy Skills for Students with Visual Impairments
    • SPEDV 7550 Orientation and Mobility Skills for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments
    • SPEDV 7560 Characteristics and Instruction for Students with Multiple Disabilities Including Deaf-blindness
    • SPEDV 7570 Advanced Procedures for Students with Visual Impairments
    • SPEDV 7951 Field Work in Visual Impairments
    • SPEDV 7953 Advanced Field Work in Visual Impairments

Featured Special Education Program Faculty

Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez, associate professor of special education and associate dean for graduate education

Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez, associate professor of special education and associate dean for graduate education

Professor Mancilla-Martinez's program of research is focused on advancing students' language and reading comprehension outcomes, including those of students from Spanish-speaking, low-income homes. Her studies build on her earlier research in reading development and the central importance of supporting students' language comprehension to mitigate later reading comprehension difficulties.

Naomi Tyler, associate professor of the practice

Naomi Tyler, associate professor of the practice

Professor Tyler's research focuses on improving the education of students with disabilities in inclusive settings, translation of research to practice, supply and demand of special education faculty, diversity in personnel preparation, teaching diverse learners, and high incidence disabilities.

Master’s in Special Education FAQs

  • What can you do with a master's in special education?

    Graduates of Peabody’s M.Ed. in Special Education pursue roles such as special education teacher, intervention specialist, behavior analyst, instructional or special education coach, transition educator and disability advocate. Career paths vary by specialization.

  • How can I become a special education teacher?

    To become a special education teacher, you must complete an approved preparation program, meet state licensure requirements and fulfill any required exams or field experiences. Peabody’s M.Ed. in Special Education is designed to meet teacher preparation requirements.

  • What are high-incidence disabilities?

    High-incidence disabilities are more commonly identified in school settings and often include learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders and other challenges that affect academic performance.

  • What are low-incidence disabilities?

    Low-incidence disabilities typically involve more intensive support needs, such as intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, visual impairments, blindness or deafblindness.

  • What are the requirements for a master’s in special education?

    M.Ed. in Special Education requirements at Peabody College include completion of required coursework, field-based experiences and a comprehensive exam, along with a specialty project or thesis. Specific requirements vary by specialization.

  • Are there scholarships for master’s in special education programs?

    Yes. Teachers pursuing a master’s degree at Peabody College, including the Special Education (M.Ed.), are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships and other funding opportunities, some of which vary by track. Additionally, the Teacher Pathway Scholarship provides guaranteed funding to eligible students, helping make graduate education more accessible.

  • What should I look for in the best special education master’s programs?

    The best special education master’s programs have strong faculty expertise, hands-on field experiences, clear specialization pathways, strong career outcomes and alignment with licensure or professional goals.

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