Special Education
Master of Arts
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$933
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Special Education Masters Program features courses for K-12 educators to become experts in effective education for students with disabilities. The fully online M.A. program is ranked among the best in the nation and offers study emphasis in Learning Disabilities (LD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Students will have the opportunity to apply teaching methods and practices informed by research. In addition, they will have opportunities to apply those methods in authentic contexts to foster deep understanding and critical reflection. Students can earn teaching endorsements in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities.
Program Highlights
#7th in Special Education in U.S. News Ranking for 2023
Program Outcomes
Throughout the M.A. in Special Education, students will engage in clinical projects and practicums with opportunities to reflect on teaching practice with the support, feedback, and collaboration of the teaching faculty. Courses are taught by special education program faculty members who have extensive experience as researchers, teacher educators, and special education classroom teachers.
Career Outlook
The Master of Arts degree in Special Education prepares practicing teachers to emphasize and enhance their expertise in and out of the classroom. Graduates of the Special Education M.A. program will attain the abilities to develop, implement, and interpret data and to communicate this information in significant ways to colleagues, families, students, and stakeholders. More than 85% of our graduates receive a pay increase for obtaining their M.A. degree.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #3 in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #3 in Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #6 in Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #9 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #7 in Online Master’s Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Josh Plavnick
Professor and Director of Special Education Programs
Joshua Plavnick is a professor of special education as well as the director of the Special Education master's program, Special Education Ph.D. program and Special Education Multi-Tiered Systems of Support master's program. He is also the director of the Early Learning Institute, which he founded in 2014. His research interests involve the development and implementation of community-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, automated measurement of human behavior, applications of technology to behavior analytic interventions, and training educational service providers to administer behavior analytic interventions.
Course Information
Core
CEP 801A: Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education (3 credits)
CEP 803A: Assessment of Students with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
CEP 840: Policies, Practices and Perspectives in Special Ed (3 credits)
CEP 841: Classroom and Behavior Management (3 credits)
CEP 842: Content Area Instruction for Students with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
CEP 843: Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
CEP 844: Applied Behavior Analysis I (3 credits)
CEP 845: ASD: Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
CEP 846: ASD: Advanced Topics (3 credits)
CEP 850: Technology and Literacy for Students with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
TE 846: Accommodating Diffs Literacy Learners (3 credits)
ASD Endorsement
CEP 894J: Special Ed Practicum: Children & Youth with ASD (3-6 credits)
LD Endorsement
CEP 893F: Special Ed Internship: Teaching Students with LD (3 credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- A license/certificate required
Copy of your teaching certificate - Previous work experience
CV/Résumé - A written personal statement
- 3 letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
Key Dates
Summer
Application Deadline
February 1st
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$933
$933
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The Special Education Masters Program features courses for K-12 educators to become experts in effective education for students with disabilities. The fully online M.A. program is ranked among the best in the nation and offers study emphasis in Learning Disabilities (LD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Students will have the opportunity to apply teaching methods and practices informed by research. In addition, they will have opportunities to apply those methods in authentic contexts to foster deep understanding and critical reflection. Students can earn teaching endorsements in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities.
Program Highlights
#7th in Special Education in U.S. News Ranking for 2023
Program Outcomes
Throughout the M.A. in Special Education, students will engage in clinical projects and practicums with opportunities to reflect on teaching practice with the support, feedback, and collaboration of the teaching faculty. Courses are taught by special education program faculty members who have extensive experience as researchers, teacher educators, and special education classroom teachers.
Career Outlook
The Master of Arts degree in Special Education prepares practicing teachers to emphasize and enhance their expertise in and out of the classroom. Graduates of the Special Education M.A. program will attain the abilities to develop, implement, and interpret data and to communicate this information in significant ways to colleagues, families, students, and stakeholders. More than 85% of our graduates receive a pay increase for obtaining their M.A. degree.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #3 in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #3 in Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #6 in Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #9 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #7 in Online Master’s Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Josh Plavnick
Professor and Director of Special Education Programs
Joshua Plavnick is a professor of special education as well as the director of the Special Education master's program, Special Education Ph.D. program and Special Education Multi-Tiered Systems of Support master's program. He is also the director of the Early Learning Institute, which he founded in 2014. His research interests involve the development and implementation of community-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, automated measurement of human behavior, applications of technology to behavior analytic interventions, and training educational service providers to administer behavior analytic interventions.
Course Information
Core
CEP 801A: Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education (3 credits)
CEP 803A: Assessment of Students with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
CEP 840: Policies, Practices and Perspectives in Special Ed (3 credits)
CEP 841: Classroom and Behavior Management (3 credits)
CEP 842: Content Area Instruction for Students with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
CEP 843: Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
CEP 844: Applied Behavior Analysis I (3 credits)
CEP 845: ASD: Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
CEP 846: ASD: Advanced Topics (3 credits)
CEP 850: Technology and Literacy for Students with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
TE 846: Accommodating Diffs Literacy Learners (3 credits)
ASD Endorsement
CEP 894J: Special Ed Practicum: Children & Youth with ASD (3-6 credits)
LD Endorsement
CEP 893F: Special Ed Internship: Teaching Students with LD (3 credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- A license/certificate required
Copy of your teaching certificate - Previous work experience
CV/Résumé - A written personal statement
- 3 letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
Key Dates
Summer
Application Deadline
February 1st
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$933
$933
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
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MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.