Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Arts degree in Special Education at Marshall University prepares educators for advanced roles in special education.

Program Highlights

Comprehensive Curriculum

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including advanced instructional strategies, assessment techniques, and legal and ethical issues in special education.

Areas of Emphasis

Students can choose from one of four areas of emphasis:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Mult-Categorical Special Education
• Preschool Special Education
• Visually Impaired

Pathway Options

Two distinct pathways are available:

• The traditional route, tailored for individuals possessing a teaching license
• The non-traditional path, which accommodates candidates without a teaching license in select programs

Featured Courses

• CISP 520 - Introduction to the Exceptional Child: An introduction to the study of children who deviate from the average in mental, physical, and social characteristics, including a study of the characteristics of such children and the adaptation of educational procedures to their abilities and disabilities.
• CISP 606 - Reading Strategies for the Exceptional Student: This course examines research-strategies in reading instruction for students with high-incidence disabilities.
• CISP 627 - Issues in Special Education: An in-depth look at current issues affecting all areas of special education as well as issues specific to each special education category.

Career Opportunities

Special education is an in-demand field nationally. Our teacher candidates are generally offered teaching positions while in their field experiences, or often they have obtained the position and are going back to school to fulfill additional educational requirements.

• Behavioral interventionist
• Early intervention specialist
• Learning disabilities specialist
• Special education program coordinator
• Special education teacher

Program Information

Program Details

• Total Credit Hours: 36
• Years (Avg.): 2
• Cost Per Credit Hour: $534.75 Throughout this program, students enjoy learning about different disabilities and how to teach students of varying ability levels.