Master's in Special Education

Break barriers. Change communities.

Special educators not only impact the lives of their students, empowering them to achieve their dreams, but they also play the role of an advocate, changing perspectives on social barriers within communities. At GSEHD, we acknowledge each individual's uniqueness, need to belong, and right to learn. We invite you to join us in creating an enhanced vision for special education that focuses on an individualized learning experience, promoting increased equity for all students. Develop knowledge and skills to infuse social justice ethics, culturally responsive practices, strength-based strategies, and disability rights lenses into your teaching and educational experiences.

Within our individualized teaching and learning approach, we focus on the tenets of positive psychology, personalized learning, and disability studies. With 20+ years of experience training exemplary special educators, the program balances rigorous training in evidence-supported educational practices with a robust clinically supervised hands-on experience. By way of a one- or two-year synchronous cohort experience, graduates develop the skills to deeply understand how personalized teaching and learning benefits all students and sustains teacher well-being and resilience, enabling them to become teachers who transform lives.

• Nationally Recognized & Accredited: With 20+ years of experience training exemplary educators, the Special Education program is nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children and accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
• Mission-Driven Education: Develop philosophical and practical expertise to promote inclusion and advance equitable opportunities for all learners.
• Accessible & Accommodating: Courses are fully online and scheduled once a week in late afternoons and evenings (Monday-Thursday) to accommodate internship experiences in schools.
• Gain Credentials: Develop a professional portfolio and be prepared to sit for the SPED Praxis and Grade Level PLT exams at the end of your program.

The GW Advantage

Whether attending on-campus or online, a GW education is unlike any other. Our online courses replicate the classroom experience while providing you with the flexibility of distance education. Learn from nationally recognized scholar-practitioner faculty who are active in the field and can provide their own real-world insights and diverse perspectives. Our high touch programs allow each student to benefit from high quality mentorship and gain the knowledge and skills that will not only advance your career, but the education of your students.

Our Mission

The Special Education Program is committed to preparing knowledgeable, effective, and ethical K-12 license-eligible special educators to teach and serve diverse students with disabilities and their families. The program seeks to help teachers of students with disabilities understand their students, themselves, their curriculum, their assessments, their colleagues, and their communities. Our graduates develop deep understandings of child and adolescent development and individual differences to respond effectively to the multidimensional needs of students with disabilities. They understand and leverage learners’ full range of abilities, maintain high expectations for all learners, and learn to implement instructional and behavioral strategies to create learning environments to maximize success for all students. Graduate students explore and understand their own personal profile as educators, its interaction with their students’ and families’ strengths and aspirations, and become culturally mindful and responsive special educators in the communities in which they teach.

Curriculum

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits in required courses, successful completion of the master of arts in education and human development comprehensive examination, and completion of the relevant teacher licensure assessments (see below).

Required

• SPED 6200 Foundations of Reading Instruction
• SPED 6201 Overview of Legal Issues in Educating Students with Disabilities
• SPED 6202 Researching Current Trends in Special Education
• SPED 6203 Research and Practice of Diagnostic Reading for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 6204 Analysis of Personalized Teaching for Professionals Working with Students with Disabilities
• SPED 6210 Universal Design for Learning and Assessment
• SPED 6233 Culturally Responsive Curriculum in Special Education
• SPED 6260 Developmental Assessment in Special Education
• SPED 6288 Understanding the Characteristics and Needs of Students with Disabilities
• SPED 6290 Affective Development and Behavior Management for Teaching Students with Disabilities
• SPED 6990 Practicum in Teaching Students with Disabilities
• SPED 6991 Internship in Teaching Students with Disabilities

Additional Requirements

Successful completion of the comprehensive examination.
Completion of the relevant teacher licensure assessments (i.e., PRAXIS) required by the District of Columbia Educator Licensure Services Office

Program Outcomes

The program leads to a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development and eligibility for District of Columbia special education teaching licensure for students in grades K-6 or 7-12. (DC currently has reciprocity with over 40 states).

As a graduate of GW’s Master’s in Special Education program, you will be prepared to work with students who have disabilities utilizing skills that span knowledge, diversity, assessment, and collaboration, including:

• Understanding the effects an exceptional condition can have on student learning
• Developing individualized instructional plans based on a student’s abilities and needs as well learning environment
• Demonstrating knowledge and skills to apply and evaluate assessment information for diverse educational decisions
• Understanding of the legal policies and ethical principles of measurement and assessment related to referral, eligibility, program planning, instruction and placement for students
• Ability to work collaboratively with peers, family, service providers and community agencies to improve learning and support for students

Career Outlook

There is a national demand for teachers who are knowledgeable about the needs of students with disabilities. Our GSEHD graduates have a 100% hire rate following graduation and many receive early hires in multiple states. Graduates are often later selected for key leadership roles in schools.

Within this field, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports job growth of 4% over the next ten years with better screening and identification of various disabilities in children increasing the demand for special education services. In addition, children with disabilities are being identified earlier and enrolled into special education programs.

In addition to becoming highly effective Special Education Teachers, our graduates are prepared to take on other critical roles in the education of students with disabilities, including:

• K-12 Special Education Teachers
• Compliance Coordinators
• Special Education Curriculum Developers
• Diversity coordinators
• IEP Team Leaders/Coordinators
• Instructional Coaches/Leaders/Coordinators/Administrators
• Policy Researchers/Advocates
• Special Education Department Coordinators/Chairs
• Behavior Specialists
• Researchers/Faculty in Higher Education
• Educational Consultants

Tuition Fee

Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.

The tuition rate* for the Master's in Special Education program is $970 per credit hour.

This program requires 36 credits.

Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.

• Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities

*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.