Our New Online Master's program can lead to a recommendation for teaching endorsements in
The Masters Degree Program in Special Education offers emphasis areas in Learning Disabilities (LD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The program is designed for highly committed and competent teachers in K-12 settings who have the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to become professional leaders, expert practitioners, and effective collaborators. You will learn research-validated methods and evidence-based practices, but equally important, you will have opportunities to apply those methods in authentic contexts to foster deep understanding and critical reflection. Throughout the Masters Program, you will engage in clinical projects and practicums that opportunities to engage in inquiry and to reflect on teaching practice with the support, feedback, and collaboration of the teaching faculty. Courses are taught by special education program faculty members who have extensive experience as researchers, teacher educators, and special education classroom teachers.
MSU's Special Education Department MA program focuses on mild impairments: Learning Disabilities (LD) or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This program is designed to prepare teachers for the new century. Collaboration and consultation skills will be the cornerstone of the program.
The specific objectives of the Masters of Arts (MA) Program in special education are to help you:
Develop the pedagogical skills and instructional expertise to work with children and youth who exhibit learning disabilities (LD) and/or autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Develop the communication, collaboration and consultation skills that will enable you to work with children, youth, families, related service personnel, general educators, and community agencies to create, implement, and evaluate the highest quality programs possible.
Develop key professional dispositions, including disciplined inquiry, collaboration, problem solving, continuous improvement, advocacy, positive behavioral support/intervention, and capacity building.
Attain the abilities to develop, implement and interpret accountability and outcome-based reporting systems involving the thoughtful use of assessment data from multiple sources, and to communicate this information in meaningful ways to stakeholders, students, families, and colleagues.
Connect theory, research, and practice to inform educational decisions.
Foster inclusive learning environments that support diverse learners and support high performance and meaningful access to the curriculum through the use of assistive technology, instructional supports, and accommodations.
The MA Program targets highly committed general education teachers who want to earn an initial endorsement in LD or ASD, or special educators seeking a second endorsement in mild impairments. The program is designed to be responsive to teacher time commitments, to offer school-based practica and a summer internship.
Those applying will be asked to make a commitment to progress through the program sequentially, completing both Michigan endorsement and MA requirements.
