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.
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
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
#3 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs in 2026 according to U.S. News & World Report.
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
- 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 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 on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.