We firmly believe that every student deserves a top-quality education. The MA in Special Education program:

offers both full- and part-time tracks to fit working and family schedules

prepares teachers to meet the specific needs of preschool, elementary, junior high, high school, and adult students at risk for or living with learning disabilities

teaches practical individualized training in diagnostic-prescriptive teaching within a solid theoretical framework of the Sally L. Smith Methodology, resulting in a 97% placement rate

partnership with DC's renowned Lab School of Washington for year-long student internships

gives exposure to a wide variety of methods, materials, and program-specific academic skills through the arts: graphics arts, woodworking, music, dance, drama, puppetry, filmmaking, and a unique feature called Academic Clubs as used at the Lab School of Washington

does not require previous teaching experience and prepares new teachers for DC, Maryland, and Virginia licensure with reciprocity in over 40 states

A student's placement must go through a due diligence process for discriminatory policies and must be approved by the Program Director and Field Placement Coordinator.

We firmly believe that every student deserves a top-quality education. The MA in Special Education program: offers both full- and part-time tracks to fit working and family schedules

EDU 606: Theories & Methods in Diagnostic and Prescriptive Math

EDU 620: Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development

EDU 643: Foundations of Special Education for Exceptional Children

*This summer session can be taken as the first semester with a summer start or as the third semester with a fall start.

EDU 654: Methods of Managing Pupils with Behavior Disorders

EDU 671: Foundations of Reading: Diagnosis and Remediation

EDU 792: In-Service Training Project (1 credit)

EDU 605: Psycho-educational Assessment for Learning Disabilities

EDU 644: Language Development and Remediation

Curriculum

Students must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study.

Official results of one of the following English Proficiency Exams are required of international students. We accept the following:

Please note that waivers are granted on a rare basis and must be approved by the CAS Office of Graduate Enrollment Management. Requests will be assessed only upon completion of submitting all other required supplemental items.

We can consider waivers for applicants who meet the following criteria:

Earned a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited US-based university or

Earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university where English is the only language of instruction and the only official language of the country where the university is based.

The transcript evaluation is not required for international applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree in the United States.

All other international applicants are required to complete an official transcript evaluation. Transcript evaluations must be submitted to American University in lieu of the original international transcript.

In order to complete a transcript evaluation, candidates must submit their official transcript(s) to a transcript evaluation agency approved by NACES.

All transcript evaluations must indicate the following:

Course-by-course analysis: List of all classes and credits earned

Degree earned: Determine if the degree earned is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree

Transcript evaluations must be sent directly by the transcript evaluation agency to American University by the application deadline.

All students must be able to demonstrate financial ability to pay for their academic and living expenses before being issued an immigration document.

Please submit the following documentation to the CAS office of Graduate Admissions:

Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS)

 form. Clearly indicate on the form which type of visa you plan to obtain for your studies with American University (F-1 or J-1) and your current visa type, if applicable. If you are pending US permanent resident or asylum status, please indicate on the form accordingly.

 demonstrating the financial ability to pay for at least one year of tuition, fees, and living expenses according to the current International Student Cost Guide. These financial documents will also be required at the US Embassy or Consulate when you apply for your visa. All financial documents must show available funds and must be dated within the past three months in order to be considered valid. Appropriate documents reflecting financial ability are listed here.

 to release your immigration record to American University (only required of international students who currently hold an I-20 from a different U.S. institution). This form must be completed by both the student and the student's current international student advisor.

Admissions Option 2

For the 2023-24 academic year, tuition is $1,922 per credit (a two-year master's program ranges from 30-36 credits). Tuition is subject to increase on an annual basis.

If you intend to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you will be required by a U.S. consular officer to present a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 and supporting financial documents to demonstrate your ability to meet financial obligations for the first year of your academic program.

In order to satisfy F-1 or J-1 visa requirements, graduate students must be registered for a minimum of nine credit hours per semester. Other visa statuses may have other requirements.

Program Tuition Fees Option 2

Master

Education

Special Education

American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. From sustainability to social justice to the sciences, AU’s faculty, students, staff, and alumni are changemakers. Founded in 1893, American University is a distinguished, private institution located in the nation's capital of Washington, DC. With a competitively strong interdisciplinary focus, policy-driven academic programs, and impactful student activists and alumni,  AU offers more than 135  master's degree programs, from seven schools. A university small enough to allow you to feel seen and large enough to attract historical figures to campus to engage our community on important issues. American University is known for preparing generations of scholars who go on to become national and international public leaders and change agents throughout our global community.

Master of Arts in Special Education

Key Information

Introduction

Curriculum

Sample Program of Study

Admissions

Program Tuition Fee

About the School

Questions