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MULTICATEGORICAL SPECIAL EDUCATION M.A.

Aug. 16, 2023

Next Start Date

11

Courses Required

$655

Cost Per Credit Hour

36

Total Credit Hours

Online Courses

Learning Formats

Provide Educational Programs and Services for Children with Special Education Needs

Would you like a career helping young people with disabilities? The Master of Arts in Multicategorical Special Education program prepares professional educators to work with children and adolescents with special needs across the areas of mild/moderate mental impairments, specific learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders.

This program prepares special education teachers and other professionals to provide high-quality educational programs and services in elementary and/or secondary schools. Graduates of the program will demonstrate knowledge and application of current evidence-practices as exemplified by reputable research and professional standards to deliver individualized instruction to develop academic and social skills.

The Multicategorical Special Education M.A. program leads to teaching certification by the West Virginia Department of Education.

The program is offered entirely online throughout the United States and in approved international locations. The online courses are taught by faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields.


Teddy bear holding a chalkboard that reads "Special Education."

The Multicategorical Special Education M.A. program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children. Students may study for a Master's degree in Special Education with certification in Multicategorical Special Education Grades K-6 or 5-Adult (or the equivalent in other states); or a Master's degree only in Special Education with emphasis in Multicategorical Special Education. West Virginia permits individuals who are completing a program in Multicategorical Special Education K-6 or 5-Adult to request an additional endorsement in Autism, after they are awarded their initial certification, by completing six additional credits of coursework, including two specialization courses in Autism.

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Online Multicategorical Special Education M.A. Admission Requirements

Regular Admission

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75.

NOTE: School systems may require criminal background checks and formal board approval prior to placement.

Applications

The WVU Application for Graduate Admission.
For assistance in completing applications, please contact: sped@mail.wvu.edu.

Application Deadlines

  • Deadline for Spring 2023: January 1
  • Deadline for Fall 2023: August 1

Apply Now

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827. Please contact the WVU Financial Aid Office at (304) 293-5242 or financialaid.wvu.edu for additional information.


The Multicategorical Special Education M.A. degree requires 36 credit hours to complete. Cost per credit hour is $655.
$23,580 – Residents and Non-Residents

Credits Cost
1 $655
3 $1,965
6 $3,930
9 $5,895

Courses and Curriculum


Online Multicategorical Special Education M.A. Requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
A grade of B or higher is required in all graduate coursework.

Course Title Credit Hours
SPED 500 Legal/Educational Foundations: Special Education 3
SPED 601 Academic Interventions for Special Needs 3
SPED 603 Classroom/Behavior Management for Special Needs 3
SPED 609 Technology Applications for Special Needs 3
SPED 663 Collaborative-Consultative Inclusion Strategies 3
SPED 665 Mathematics for Special Needs 3
SPED 666 Reading for Special Needs 3

Select one of the following:

Course Title Credit Hours
SPED 667 Elementary Content Methods 3
SPED 668 Secondary Content Methods 3
LE 622 Disciplinary Literacy 3
SPED 669 Culminating Practicum: Multicategorical Special Education 6
Or
SPED 680 Culminating Project

Total Hours: 36

Your future in Multicategorical Special Education

The Multicategorical Special Education M.A. degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences will prepare you to work with children and adolescents with special needs, including mild to moderate mental impairments, specific learning disabilities, and emotional/behavioral disorders. The program leads to certification by the West Virginia Department of Education.

If you complete the program in Multicategorical Special Education K-6 or 5-Adult, the state of West Virginia also provides additional endorsement in Autism, following the completion of six additional credits of coursework, including two specialization courses in Autism.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

The Master of Arts in Multicategorical Special Education offered by the College of Applied Human Sciences is designed to prepare you to be a leader in the field of special education and to positively affect the lives of today’s youth, helping them to reach their full potential.

This graduate-level program prepares special education teachers to engage in current research-based practices and to provide high quality educational programs and services.

This program has been designed so that program graduates can accomplish the following learning outcomes:

  • Provide high-quality educational services to children and adolescents with mild to moderate disabilities in inclusive classrooms and resource rooms in elementary and secondary schools;
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of current evidence-practices as exemplified by reputable research and professional standards to deliver individualized instruction to develop academic and social skills;
  • Collaborate with other professionals and agencies in delivery of services and engage in individual and systems advocacy for individuals and their families, and empower individuals and families to participate in program planning and decision making; and
  • Reflect in and on practice and respond responsibly to the legal, ethical, social, and cultural issues encountered when working with individuals with mild to moderate disabilities and their families in today’s world.

Career Outlook for Multicategorical Special Education

Students who graduate from WVU Online with a Multicategorical Special Education M.A. degree will prepare themselves for the following careers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities open to you with this degree.

Self-Enrichment Education Teacher
Projected Growth: 11% or higher *Bright Outlook

Special Education Teacher - Kindergarten Elementary School
Projected Growth: 2-3%

Special Education Teacher - Middle School
Projected Growth: 2-3%

Special Education Teacher - Secondary School
Projected Growth: 2-3%

Special Education Teacher - All Other
Projected Growth: 7-10% Bright Outlook


Information about careers on this list comes from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete an Online Master's Degree In Multicategorical Special Education

The minimum time to complete most certification or degree programs in special education is:

  • Two (2) calendar years at the rate of six (6) credits per semester (part-time study – recommended for students who are working full time and/or have extensive family responsibilities.
  • One and one half (1.5) calendar years at the rate of nine (9) credits per semester (full-time study- recommended for students who are not employed and/or have minimal family responsibilities.

What kind of jobs can I get with a Multicategorical Special Education Master's degree?

There are many career paths a student could take with a Multicategorical Special Education Master’s Degree, including:

  • Self-Enrichment Education Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Special Education Consultant
  • School Counselor
  • Reading Specialist
  • Special Education Advocate
  • Education Writer
  • Tutor

What jobs are the highest paid in Multicategorical Special Education

  • Special Education Teacher - $58,829 according to Salary.com
  • Education Consultant - $104,528 according to Salary.com
  • School Counselor - $78,780 according to ONET.org
  • Self-Enrichment Teacher - $43,580 according to ONET.org
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WVU Online
West Virginia University
PO Box 6800
Morgantown, WV 26506-6800


Phone: (800) 253-2762
Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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