Special Education and Literacy Studies

Special Education, MA

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Overview

The Special Education master’s program is designed for working professionals and is offered in both in-person and fully online formats. Students may choose from multiple pathways, including earning a Michigan teaching endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Emotional Impairments (EI), or Learning Disabilities (LD), or pursuing a master’s degree as a Behavior Intervention Specialist.

All program pathways are aligned with the competencies outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children and the Michigan Department of Education. Upon admission, students are assigned a faculty advisor who will assist in developing a personalized graduate plan of study. Before beginning coursework, students must also complete an endorsement evaluation to determine any applicable transfer credits or additional requirements. This flexible, high-impact program prepares educators to support diverse learners and lead inclusive practices in today’s schools and communities.

Meet Isabel

A master's student studying early childhood education and Founder and Director of Mi Casa es su Casa Bilingual Family Daycare.

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Program options

Teacher Koretta King-Jackson goes back to school to earn her teacher certification.

Clinical Teacher

Program for certified teachers seeking their first special education endorsement in ASD, EI, or LD.

—Candidates include: Individuals with a valid elementary or secondary teaching certificate.

Courses

Teacher reaching in a school library with students around her.

Expedited Clinical Teacher, Initial Cert.

Program for individuals pursuing initial teaching certification in special education with endorsement options in ASD, EI, or LD.

—Candidates include: Non-certified individuals with a bachelor’s degree and experience working with children.

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Master Teacher, Special Education Endorsement

Program for current special education teachers adding an endorsement in ASD, EI, or LD.

—Candidates include: Educators with both a teaching certificate and a special education endorsement.

Courses

Master Teacher, Behavior Intervention Specialist (Online Only)

Online program for professionals advancing skills in behavior intervention and management.

—Candidates include: General or special education teachers, principals, school psychologists, social workers, speech pathologists, and other school-based staff.

Courses

Admissions

The deadline to be considered for the Summer I 2025 cohort is March 28. If applicants apply after that they will be considered for the fall 2025 cohort.

Applicants are evaluated on:

Undergraduate GPA
Special education experience
Congruence of goals and requested program option
Writing skills

Note: International students cannot be enrolled in all online programs

Admissions Requirements

Bachelor's degree with GPA of 3.0 or higher (a graduate grade point average may be considered if at least 9 hours of recent and relevant course work have been completed).
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Official transcripts.
Experience in special education, general education, or a related field.
Statement addressing endorsement you are pursuing, current teaching certificates, current special education endorsements, identify your professional goals and explain why an additional special education degree is sought.
Three professional letters of reference.
International students must submit a CELCIS transcript with a minimum grade of “BA” or a TOEFL score of 550 or better.

Cost & funding