Jan. 13, 2025
Next Start Date
10
Courses Required
$702
Cost Per Credit Hour
30
Total Credit Hours
Online Asynchronous
Learning Format
Would you like a career helping young people with disabilities? The Master of Arts in Special Education is designed to prepare professional educators to work with children and adolescents with mild/moderate disabilities including learning disabilities, emotional/behavior disorders, autism, and intellectual disabilities.
This program prepares special education teachers and other professionals to engage in current research-based practices to provide high quality educational programs and services to promote academic achievement and post-school outcomes in inclusive elementary or secondary schools.
Graduates of the program will demonstrate knowledge and application of current evidence-based practices as exemplified by reputable research and professional standards to deliver individualized instruction to develop academic and social skills.
The Special Education M.A. program prepares individuals to be eligible to apply for certification through the West Virginia Department of Education Alternative Certification Program.
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.
"I am a graduate of Michigan State University, with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in an advising setting for over 15 years and am here to help answer any questions you may have about the enrollment process in our online programs. Our online programs are designed to allow everyone the opportunity to earn a degree, while balancing school, family and life, and I am happy to help you as you go through that journey."
The Special Education M.A. program prepares individuals to be eligible to apply for certification through the West Virginia Department of Education Alternative Certification Program.
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
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 tuition rate per credit hour listed above is for the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition and fees increase beginning in the fall term of each academic year.
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
The Special Education M.A. degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences will prepare you to work with children and adolescents with mild/moderate disabilities including learning disabilities, emotional/behavior disorders, autism, and intellectual disabilities. The Special Education M.A. program prepares individuals to take the Praxis and to apply for certification through the West Virginia Department of Education Alternative Certification Program.
The Master of Arts in 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:
Students who graduate from WVU Online with a 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).
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 609 | Technology Applications for Special Needs | 3 |
SPED 650 | Learning Characteristics: Autism | 3 |
SPED 652 | Educational Interventions: Autism | 3 |
SPED 665 | Mathematics for Special Needs | 3 |
SPED 666 | Reading for Special Needs | 3 |
C&I 602 | Classroom Organization and Management | 3 |
C&I 688 | Curriculum & Teaching Principles | 3 |
LE 622 | Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
Total Hours: 30
The minimum time to complete most certification or degree programs in special education is:
There are many career paths a student could take with a Special Education Master’s Degree, including: