MA in Education (Special Education)

The master’s degree programs in special education prepare teachers to design and implement curricula for individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings. At the masters level, the purpose of our program is to prepare teachers to provide exemplary, evidence-based services for individuals with disabilities. This program includes a thesis.

Highlights

1. Flexible enrollment—attend-part time or full-time
2. Get a degree in two years
3. Focus on applied research and evidence-based instruction
4. Funding opportunities available

Curriculum

You may choose to specialize in one of three areas:

General Curriculum

An emphasis in general curriculum is for those interested in working with students with mild disabilities who are primarily following the general curriculum. The special education students who are most frequently served in these settings include those with behavior disorders, learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, other health impaired, and some students with autism or Asperger’s.

Adapted Curriculum/Autism

This emphasis is for students interested in working with those who have moderate to severe autism and developmental disabilities. Training in this emphasis prepares you to work in an adapted curriculum, which means it does not follow the typical general curriculum used in most classrooms.

Birth Through Kindergarten

The birth through kindergarten/preschool emphasis prepares professionals to work with children birth through age 5 both with and without disabilities. Training in this program prepares you for inclusive early learning, preschool, pre-k and kindergarten programs, along with early intervention (0-3) and preschool intervention (3-5) programs.

How to Apply

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start A Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the M.A. in Education (Special Education)

Students who meet all of the following requirements are eligible to apply:

• Professional preparation
  Earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of enrollment at the University of Georgia.
• GPA
  Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken.
• TOEFL
  Foreign applicants will also need to score a minimum of 20 points each on the Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL with an overall minimum score of 80. Test scores must be within 2 years from the date of application.

In the Graduate School application, students should upload the following items:

1. Statement of purpose
   Please submit a two page, single-spaced statement of purpose, outlining your teaching philosophy, experience and career goals, as well as answering the following questions:
   • What types of disabilities do you have experience with and envision yourself working with?
   • In what setting would you like to work (e.g., school, clinic, home-based)?
   • What is your primary age/grade of interest?
2. Résumé/vita

This program takes a holistic approach to admissions and does not require standardized testing scores to be submitted, e.g. no GRE or MAT scores are required.

Admissions decisions will be based on the faculty’s evaluation of undergraduate and graduate GPA, quality of the essay, letters of recommendation, resumé, and TOEFL scores (where relevant).

Deadline to Apply

• January 1 (Summer and Fall)
• November 1 (Spring)

Login to existing application

Useful Links

• Career Outcomes (2023)
• Special Education FAQ (PDF)
• Student Handbook (PDF)