Special Education
Special Education Program Overview
The Master of Education degree in Special Education provides students with advanced understanding of contemporary research and practice issues in special education. Students in the program are typically interested in pursuing enhanced professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy and systems change, or preparing for doctoral-level study. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree in special education (or education) to be successful in the master’s degree, but should be motivated to develop a deeper understanding of the field of special education.
Students in the M.Ed. Special Education major will develop advanced skills in: designing, implementing and evaluating research-based practices that meet the special education needs of learners with disabilities; understanding the conceptual underpinnings of special education, as well as policies that guide its implementation in school and community settings; analyzing contemporary issues surrounding special education and the impact of exceptionality on individuals and their families; and understanding the roles that research plays in special education theory.
The M.Ed. degree program does not prepare students for teacher licensure; however, some of the coursework required for the degree may count toward licensure. Students interested in both licensure and a M.Ed. degree will need to apply and be fully admitted into both the master’s degree program and the non-degree graduate licensure preparation program.
The General Special Education concentration provides an opportunity for already licensed teachers to engage in endorsement or certificate training to enhance their existing skills. Moreover, graduates learn to use evidence-based practices to guide their direct service, support and consultation skills in schools and other agencies, as professionals work together with individuals with exceptionalities and their families.
Program Structure
- 33 credit hours
- No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses
- Students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the degree
What is a Master’s in Special Education?
The online master’s degree in Special Education at Kent State University provides students with an advanced understanding of contemporary research and practice issues in special education. Applicants to the master’s program are typically interested in pursuing enhanced professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy and systems change, or preparation for doctoral-level study.
What can I do with a Master’s in Special Education?
The online master’s degree in Special Education at Kent State University provides students with an advanced understanding of contemporary research and practice issues in special education. Applicants to the master’s program are typically interested in pursuing enhanced professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy and systems change, or preparation for doctoral-level study.
What will I learn in Kent State’s Master’s in Special Education program?
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Develop advanced skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating research-based practices that meet the special education needs of learners with disabilities.
- Understand the conceptual underpinnings of special education, as well as policies that guide its implementation in school and community settings.
- Analyze contemporary issues surrounding special education and the impact of exceptionality on individuals and their families.
- Understand the roles that research plays in special education theory.
- Demonstrate mastery of special education content within a particular specialization (e.g., transition-to work, mild/moderate, deaf education).
Does this program provide licensure in the state of Ohio?
The M.Ed. degree program does not prepare students for teacher licensure; however, some of the coursework required for the degree may count toward licensure. Students interested in both licensure and a M.Ed. degree will need to apply and be fully admitted into both the master’s degree and the non-degree graduate licensure preparation program.
Special Education Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 77 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score
For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the international admission website.
Special Education Courses
Courses for the online M.Ed. in Special Education cover a range of topics relevant for special educators who wish to enhance their professional competence, move into leadership roles or prepare to pursue a doctorate. These include a core of legal and policy issues, research applications in special education, and contemporary issues in special education, as well as 6 credit-hours of electives across topics such as rehabilitation, deaf studies, pharmacological interventions, ethics and more. Students who choose the General Special Education concentration will take an additional 18 credit hours of coursework comprised of a 3-credit research methods course and 15 credits of electives selected with and approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Special Education Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $571.90 | $1,715.70 | $18,900 part-time1 $12,500 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $581.90 | $1,745.70 | $19,200 part-time3 $12,600-$12,700 full-time4 |
1The $571.90 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,277.40 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester.
3The $581.90 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,277.40 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 11-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken each semester (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180).
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs please contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000, or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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