Dr. Emily Bouck
Professor and Director of the Special Education Program
As Professor and Director of the Special Education Program at MSU, Dr. Bouck represents one of the faculty whose own work and expertise are directly related to MTSS. Dr. Bouck’s conducts research on mathematical interventions and response to intervention for mathematics at the secondary level for students with disabilities or those at risk. She teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels related to MTSS.
Erin Hamilton
Program Director of Online Special Education Programs
As the Online Special Education MA Program Director, Erin collaborates with students, faculty, and school partners to connect theory, research, and practice across diverse educational contexts. She is the academic advisor for all MA Special Education students and coordinates the online and hybrid student experience across multiple program options, including the online MA in Special Education, Special Education Leadership: MTSS, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with ASD endorsement, and the hybrid MA in ABA.
Program Overview
Graduates from the Special Education Leadership: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) program will fill an integral and increasingly needed role within schools to meet the needs of all learners. With knowledge and skills built from the fully online Master of Arts program, aspiring leaders can establish school-based systems for students with special academic or behavioral needs. The program prepares individuals to work with students one-on-one, in groups or in larger school communities to make a prompt and long-lasting impact.
Program Highlights
#9 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs in 2025 according to U.S. News & World Report.
Program Outcomes
Students can take lessons they learn in their Special Education Leadership: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) coursework and apply it to their careers immediately. Working with renowned faculty members, students will be skilled in making informed decisions, utilizing practices rooted in data and creating assessments that work for all students.
Career Outlook
With a Master of Arts degree in Special Education Leadership: MTSS, Spartans will become expert champions in providing environments and systems where students find support across academic, behavioral and emotional needs. In schools with already established MTSS practices, graduates will have an extra foundation of knowledge built from research and practice. In some cases, graduates may find they could fill a growing need in a school that does not have an MTSS advocate.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
- #3 in Online Graduate Programs for Special Education— U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- #13 in Best Online Master's in Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Tuition & Fees
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 on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.