Program Overview

Master of Arts in Special Education

The Master of Arts in Special Education provides an opportunity for certified teachers to increase their impact and build a future where every student can thrive. This program offers a pathway to initial special education teacher licensure with an endorsement in Learning Disabilities (SM) and the option to pursue additional endorsements in the areas of Emotional Impairment (SE) and Cognitive Impairment (SA).

Program Overview

The program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. It is designed for working educators, allowing them to pursue their professional goals while continuing to contribute to the classroom. The program provides wrap-around support, including guidance from an Alma College faculty mentor.

Pathway Options

The Master of Arts in Special Education provides three pathway options:

• Pathway 1: Learning Disabilities Endorsement
  • Students must complete the Special Education Core, Pathway 1 with the capstone requirements, and pass the MTTC 114.
  • The 15 credits include:
    • EDC 702 Understanding Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
    • EDC 706 Teaching Students with Learning Differences (3 credits)
    • EDC 708 Special Education Internship (7 credits)
    • EDC 705 Special Education Clinical I (1 credit)
    • EDC 710 Special Education Clinical II (1 credit)
• Pathway 2: Learning Disabilities, Emotional Impairment, and Cognitive Impairment Endorsements
  • Students must complete the Special Education Core, Pathway 2 with the capstone requirements, and pass the MTTC 114, 115, and 116.
  • The 25 credits include:
    • EDC 702 Understanding Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
    • EDC 706 Teaching Students with Learning Differences (3 credits)
    • EDC 711 Understanding Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3 credits)
    • EDC 712 Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3 credits)
    • EDC 705 Special Education Clinical I (1 credit)
    • EDC 713 Special Education Clinical-EI (1 credit)
    • EDC 714 Special Education Clinical-CI (1 credit)
    • EDC 715 Special Education Internship IV- LD (3 credits)
    • EDC 716 Special Education Internship V (7 credits)
• Pathway 3: Emotional Impairment and Cognitive Impairment Endorsements (For Teachers with a Learning Disabilities Endorsement)
  • The 15 credits include:
    • EDC 711 Understanding Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3 credits)
    • EDC 712 Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3 credits)
    • EDC 713 Special Education Clinical-EI (1 credit)
    • EDC 714 Special Education Clinical-CI (1 credit)
    • EDC 716 Special Education Internship V (7 credits)

Program Expectations

All master's courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher. If the candidate has taken special education courses at the graduate level, an evaluation of credits will occur, and a possible course substitution will be allowed.

Core Classes

Core classes required for all pathways (15 credits):

• EDC 701 Exceptional Learners (3 credits)
• EDC 703 Inclusive Teaching (3 credits)
• EDC 704 Assessment and Evaluation (3 credits)
• EDC 707 Special Education Leadership (3 credits)
• EDC 709 Transition to Adulthood (3 credits)

Tuition and Fees

Information about tuition and fees for the MA in Special Education program is available upon request.

Possible Funding Resources

To be considered for possible federal and state aid funding, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Other funding resources include the Special Education Teacher Tuition Reimbursement Grant and federal student Direct Unsubsidized Loans. If students borrow federal student Direct Unsubsidized Loans, they may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF).