The Master of Education in Special Education degree allow students to choose a focus in special education in the areas of early intervention, preschool special needs, high incidence conditions (e.g. learning disability, mental retardation, emotional disturbance), severe disabilities (e.g. physical, cognitive and social-emotional), transition, and behavior disorders. The ME in Special Education has an online option and a licensure option.

The ME in Special Education is a 36 semester hour program. Students take core educational courses along with courses selected with a faculty adviser based on the student's interest. The program culminates with a master's seminar and the completion of an examination, a research-based project, or a thesis depending on the student's interest. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus, online and field-based courses. 

For those who do not need to earn a teaching license, the ME in Special Education may be completed completely online.

For those who hold a bachelor's degree in a major other than education and wish to earn an Ohio teaching license, this program includes coursework that will lead toward an initial teacher license as an intervention specialist for grades PreK to 12 in mild/moderate or moderate/intensive in Ohio and, at the same time, meet the requirements for a Masters Degree in Education. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus, online and field-based courses. Additional semester hours of coursework are required for licensure. 

Admission to the ME in Special Education

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the master's program requires the following:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution

• An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate work

• A well-written statement of purpose describing the student’s background and goals as well as the importance of the degree in achieving those goals

• Three letters of recommendation regarding the prospective student's potential for doing master's level work from professionals such as an undergraduate major advisor, current employer, school principal or others who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to engage in graduate work in the desired program

Additionally, for prospective students interested in the Licensure and Master's Program (LAMP):

• Mastery of reading, writing, and mathematics skills as demonstrated on one of these nationally normed assessments: ACT, SAT, GRE, or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Students must present test scores at or above the 50th percentile from one of these assessments. Acceptable scores for these assessments are listed below (current score scale for Fall 2019 admissions): 

  • ACT – Mathematics: 21; Reading: 21; Writing: 6

  • SAT – Mathematics: 532; Evidence-based Reading and Writing: 543; Essay Writing*: 5.0

  • GRE – Quantitative Reasoning: 153; Verbal Reasoning: 151; Analytical Writing*: 4.0

  • PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators – Mathematics (test code 5732): 156; Reading (test code 5712): 156; Writing (test code 5722)*: 162

*Writing scores are required for each option beginning 2021

The master's program has selective admissions and may admit a limited number of students. Thus, meeting all formal criteria does not guarantee admission.

What to Submit with Your Application 

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• Statement of purpose

• Three letters of recommendation 

In addition for LAMP applicants:

• Scores for one the following: ACT, SAT, GRE, or PRAXIS CORE

Requirements for the ME in Special Education

For the Master of Education degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 36 semester hours of approved graduate course work

• The master's core requirement by completing one course in each of the four foundational areas in education (curriculum, research, psychological, and social and philosophical) within the first 18 semester hours of course work, i.e. four of the first six courses must be core courses

• An area of specialization in special education with courses pre-approved by the faculty advisor

• A course in master's seminar in special education

• A thesis, project, comprehensive examination or field experience (practicum)

For the Ohio licensure, students must complete:

• Additional semester hours to fulfill the credential requirements as well as the degree requirements 

In addition, no more than six semester hours of credit from any combination of workshops (5950), problems or special topics courses (5980 or 6980), and independent studies (5990 or 6990) may be included in the degree program.

All coursework and requirements of the master's degree must be taken within a six-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Plan of Study

A plan of study identifying the courses for the master's degree is required after 12 credit hours, generally at the end of the first semester of full time study. The master's plan of study must include the following within the 36 semester hour minimum:

• 12 credits of master's core courses

• 18 credits of specialization

• 3 credits of master's seminar

• 3 credits of thesis, project, or comprehensive examination 

Licensure or endorsement requires additional semester hours to fulfill the credential requirements as well as degree requirements.​ Students should consult their advisor for detailed information.

Other Requirements

Prior to Beginning Classroom Experiences

• Criminal background check

Prior to Applying for Ohio Teaching License

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Pedagogy Assessment for the licensure area

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Assessment for the licensure area

Guide for Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the Master of Education in Special Education. Students should work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

Additional hours are required to fulfill licensure requirements.