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 Graduate Faculty in Program:
8
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
  • IELTS
  • Duolingo

Degree Description:

The Special Education graduate programs prepare graduates in the Master of Arts degree for research, academic and leadership positions in teaching, and service with a focus on equity and social justice for persons with disabilities. The graduate program in Special Education includes a broad curriculum of study, including response-to-intervention across the curriculum, early childhood education, diversity, social development and behavioral health prevention practices, universal design, transition, legal aspects of special education, professional skills, and single subject research design. A rigorous set of research methods are provided for students. The faculty support a strong program of mentorship that encourages students to work closely with faculty of their choosing in investigating the world of teaching, intervention, disabilities, knowledge generation and dissemination, as well as pedagogical action and advocacy.

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:

  • The reason for pursuing a graduate degree
  • A description of teaching or other life experience that relates to graduate study
  • A commitment to scholarship or professional development
  • A specific research or inquiry interest(s) in Special Education
  • Briefly describe how your research interests are similar/map to those of the faculty member(s) you have mentioned
  • The unique perspective you would bring to the graduate program, and,
  • if applying for an assistantship, 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:

  • interpersonal skills,
  • scholarship,
  • experience with children or youth or adults, and
  • 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?

 

Student Opportunities:

Internships in the public school system are available.

Career Opportunities:

Teaching, educational specialist, K-12 administration.

Contact Information: