Master of Arts in Special Education

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Program Link:
https://education.wsu.edu/graduate/specialed/
Program Handbook:
https://education.wsu.edu/graduate/specialed/special-education-masters-handbooks/
Student Learning Outcomes:
https://education.wsu.edu/graduate/specialed/masters/special-education-masters-student-learning-outcomes-slos/
Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program:
6
Graduate Students in Program:
2
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall January 10
  • Spring July 1

Campus:

  • Pullman
  • Spokane
  • Vancouver

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

  • TOEFL – iBT 80
  • IELTS Band 7

Degree Description:

The College of Education offers two master’s degrees and a doctoral degree with specializations in special education. The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree requires a thesis, while the Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree requires a special project, both of which are research focused. This is information will talk about the M.A. degree.  The M.A. is designed for students who will potentially enter a doctoral program or who desire to focus on educational research, as opposed to application of educational strategies. A specific set of coursework also can lead to a supporting endorsement in special education.

Admission Requirements:

01. A WSU Graduate School general application (including application fee). In GradCAS search for Washington State University – Master of Arts in Special Education.

02. Current resume or vitae.

03. Letter of Intent. The letter of intent must include:

(a) the reason for pursuing a graduate degree,
(b) a description of teaching or other life experience that relates to graduate study,
(c) a commitment to scholarship or professional development,
(d) a specific research or inquiry interest,
(e) the unique perspective you would bring to the graduate program, and, if applying for an assistantship,
(f) why you would be an effective teacher at the college level.

04. Academic writing sample. This writing sample must be a formal, academic writing sample, such as a thesis or paper.

05. Three letters of reference. The three letters of recommendation, submitted through GradCAS, must address your:

(a) interpersonal skills,
(b) scholarship,
(c) experience with children or youth, and
(d) facility with written, oral, and interpersonal communication.

In addition, if applying for a teaching assistantship, one of the letters must also address your effectiveness as a teacher.

06. Complete Educational History and Transcripts from any colleges/universities:

  • Where any degrees have been granted or are expected.
  • That show any graded bachelor’s work and/or graduate-level work (including doctoral) taken after the bachelor’s degree.
  • Unofficial copies may be uploaded with your Graduate School application for application review. If admitted, you will be required to submit official copies to the WSU Graduate School.
  • Official WSU Transcripts are NOT required for coursework taken at WSU.

07. International Students must meet the university’s English proficiency and funding requirements. Please view the current requirements on the Graduate School’s International apply page.

08. Copies of currently held education certificates.

09. Please provide a video answering the following two questions. For the videos we’d need a high-quality individual MP4 video file for each interview question. The maximum file size is 20 MB. For all your videos, please ensure your sound and lighting quality are good and it is in landscape format. The time limit for applicants to answer each question: no longer than two minutes per answer. Please submit through Slideroom with your GradCAS application.

a) What in your background prompts your interest in special education and applying to our program?
b) What are your topics of research interest and how do they fit into your future plans after your time at WSU?

10. Optional: Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

 

Student Opportunities:

Internships in the public school system are available.

Career Opportunities:

Teaching, educational specialist, K-12 administration.

Contact Information: