Master of Education 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:
9
Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program:
6
Graduate Students in Program:
10
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall January 10
  • Spring July 1

Campus:

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 Master of Education prepares graduates for 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. 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.

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 Ed.M. degree.  This degree allows students to study a variety of education-related areas within structured coursework both on campus as well as online. A specific set of coursework also can lead to a supporting endorsement in special education. Although the Ed.M. students enroll in research courses and engage in research endeavors, the emphasis in this degree option is on application of educational research strategies in schools settings.

Admission Requirements:

Because the Special Education master’s degree is specialized degree and is not an entry level degree, there are special prerequisites that students who apply must complete/meet. They are:

Required Special Education Experience and Knowledge. Student must meet both the teaching/working experience and the knowledge foundations requirements

Teaching/working experience. One or more of the following is required:

  • Teaching experience at the P-12 level, one or more years
  • Significant public school teacher substitute experience; paraprofessional experience
  • Student teaching at the K-12 level
  • Significant experience working with adults with disabilities in agency services/employment services

Knowledge foundation. Coursework on special education/students with disabilities (one or more courses)

To Apply:

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

02. Current Resume or Vitae.

03. Letter of Intent. The letter 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 inquiry interest.

04. Three letters of reference/recommendation. The letters are requested from your reference writers through your GradCAS, please have their email contact information ready. They must address:

  • your interpersonal skills,
  • potential for graduate study/scholarship,
  • experience with children or youth or adults, and,
  • facility with written, oral, and interpersonal communication.

05. Complete List of Educational History and Transcripts from any college/university with the following criteria:

  • Where any degree(s) have been granted or are expected to be awarded.
  • That show any graded bachelor’s degree work and/or graduate-level work (including doctoral credits) taken after the bachelor’s degree.
  • Unofficial copies may be uploaded with your GradCAS application for application review. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit official copies to the WSU Graduate School.
  • Note: Official copies from Washington State University are not required.

06. International Students must meet the university’s English proficiency and funding requirements. Please review these current requirements on the WSU Graduate School’s International Apply Page.

07. Copies of currently held educational certificates.

 

Student Opportunities:

Internships in the public school system are available.

Career Opportunities:

Teaching, educational specialist, K-12 administration.

Career Placements:

Teaching, educational specialist, K-12 administration.

Contact Information: