Program Overview

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Master of Education in Special Education

The Master of Education in Special Education is a 33-credit online degree program that focuses on current issues and topics in the field of special education. The program gives students the opportunity to choose an emphasis in academic and behavioral supports, applied behavior analysis, or autism.

Program Summary

The program is designed to support students with special needs and provides advanced training in academic and behavioral management strategies. Students will learn to use evidence-based practices to support individuals with special needs or those who are at risk. The program also covers the application of reading and theory to real-world educational settings and helps students find solutions to everyday classroom issues.

100% Online

The program is offered 100% online, allowing students to complete their coursework at their own pace. The online format provides flexibility and convenience, making it ideal for working professionals or those with other commitments.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the program is December 1 to start January 12.

Credits and Costs

The program consists of 33 credits, with a cost of $1,037 per credit.

Nationally Recognized

The graduate education programs at Penn State are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Gain Knowledge and Skills

The program provides students with advanced knowledge and skills to support students with special needs. Students will receive training in:

• Academic and behavior management strategies
• Evidence-based practices to support individuals with special needs
• Application of reading and theory to real-world educational settings
• Finding solutions to everyday classroom issues

Advance Your Teaching Proficiency

The program includes core and capstone courses, plus an area of emphasis. The online program is not designed to lead to initial teacher certification in any state; however, it may help students renew or maintain their existing certification if they are already a certified teacher.

Required Courses

The program requires the following courses:

• SPLED 525: Teaching Learners with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings (3 credits)
• SPLED 573: Introduction to Research in Special Education (3 credits)

Choose an Emphasis Area

Students can choose from the following emphasis areas:

Applied Behavior Analysis (24 credits)

• SPLED 505: Single-Case Research (3 credits)
• SPLED 520: Current Issues in Special Education (3 credits)
• SPLED 806: Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• SPLED 807: Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• SPLED 808: Assessment of Behavior in Contexts (3 credits)
• SPLED 809: Behavioral Change Procedures and Management I (3 credits)
• SPLED 810: Behavioral Change Procedures and Management II (3 credits)
• SPLED 811: Ethical Considerations for Special Education Populations (3 credits)

Autism (24 credits)

• SPLED 461: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
• SPLED 462: Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• SPLED 463: Communication and Social Competence (3 credits)
• SPLED 464: Assessment and Curriculum (3 credits)
• SPLED 520: Current Issues in Special Education (3 credits)

Academic and Behavioral Supports (24 credits)

• EDPSY 421: Learning Processes in Relation to Educational Practices (3 credits)
• EDLDR 861: Principles of Instructional Leadership (3 credits)
• SPLED 419: Assistive Technology for General Education Teachers (3 credits)
• SPLED 801: Evidence-Based Student, Classroom, and School-Wide Behavior Supports (3 credits)
• SPLED 802: Design and Delivery of Evidence-Based Instruction for Learners with Special Needs (3 credits)
• SPLED 803: Evidence-Based Assessment for Teaching Learners with Special Needs (3 credits)
• SPLED 520: Current Issues in Special Education (3 credits)

Capstone Course

• SPLED 521: Capstone Seminar in Special Education (3 credits)

Course Availability

Students can view the course availability by visiting the public LionPATH course search.

Advance Your Career

The program can help students advance their careers in a variety of fields, depending on their goals. Some potential job titles include:

• Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher (LD Special Education Teacher)
• Behavior Analyst
• Special Education Inclusion Teacher
• Special Education Resource Teacher
• Special Education Teacher

Employment Outlook

The employment outlook for occupational fields related to this degree varies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth and total employment for special education teachers are as follows:

• Special Education Teachers, Preschool: 1.6% employment growth (10 years), 28,200 total employment
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School: -0.9% employment growth (10 years), 95,330 total employment
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School: -0.6% employment growth (10 years), 162,780 total employment
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School: -0.7% employment growth (10 years), 231,570 total employment

Demand for Behavior Analysts

The demand for behavior analysts is increasing, with a 5,852% increase in demand over the past 12 years, according to Lightcast.

Career Services

Penn State World Campus provides career services to help students achieve their career goals. These services include:

• Opportunities to connect with employers
• Career counselor/coach support
• Occupation and salary information
• Internships
• Graduate school resources

Earn a Valuable Credential

Students can earn a valuable credential along the way by completing a certificate program. Some certificate programs related to this degree include:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (Graduate Certificate)
• Educating Individuals with Autism (Postbaccalaureate Certificate)

Customize Your Degree

The program allows students to customize their degree by choosing an emphasis area. The emphasis areas include:

• Academic and Behavioral Supports
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Autism

Academic and Behavioral Supports

This emphasis area is designed for education professionals who want to learn skills to effectively support students with disabilities. Topics include:

• Effectively managing behaviors
• Designing and delivering instruction
• Administering educational assessments

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

This emphasis area is for professionals who want to gain in-depth knowledge of the principles and procedures of ABA. Course work includes:

• Developing, implementing, and monitoring programs to promote positive behavior change in individuals with special needs
• 21-credit, 315-hour, 7-course sequence based on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s 5th Edition Task List

Autism

This emphasis area is designed to help students acquire comprehensive, evidence-based knowledge to assist in developing effective educational programming for students with autism spectrum disorders. Course work involves:

• Assessing individuals with autism spectrum disorders
• Developing strategies to foster social, behavioral, communicative, and academic gains
• Using applied behavior analysis when working with children with autism
• Enhancing collaboration among individuals with ASD, their families, and educators

Who Should Apply

The program is designed for individuals with a background in education or human services who want to work with children and youth with disabilities. Some potential applicants include:

• Behavior specialists
• Social workers
• Mobile therapists
• Educational consultants
• Speech pathologists
• Instructional designers
• Mental health counselors
• Psychologists

Set Your Own Pace

The program allows students to set their own pace, with the option to take one or two courses per semester. The online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall).

To Finish Your Degree in One to Two Years

• Take 3–4 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Two to Three Years

• Take 2–3 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Three to Four Years

• Take 1 course each semester

Timelines may vary based on course availability.

Convenient Online Format

The program is offered in a convenient online format, allowing students to study around their busy schedule. The online format provides flexibility and convenience, making it ideal for working professionals or those with other commitments.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. The online learning environment offers the same quality education that students experience on campus.

How to Apply to Penn State

To apply to the program, students must complete the online application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. The deadlines are as follows:

• Spring Deadline: Apply by December 1 to start January 12
• Summer Deadline: Apply by April 1 to start May 18
• Fall Deadline: Apply by July 1 to start August 24

Steps to Apply

1. Review the admission requirements.
2. Gather required materials, including:
   • Official transcripts from each institution attended
   • Test scores (GRE scores are not required)
   • English proficiency (if applicable)
   • References (3)
   • Résumé or curriculum vitae
   • Personal statement
3. Create a Penn State login account.
4. Complete the online application.
5. Check the status of the application.

Admissions Help

If students have questions about the admissions process, they can contact an admissions counselor.

Learn from the Best

The program is offered by Penn State's College of Education, which is renowned for preparing and supporting education professionals. The program is taught by the same nationally recognized faculty who teach on campus.

Faculty

Some of the faculty members who teach in the program include:

• Mary Katherine Harris
• Elizabeth M. Hughes
• Rick Kubina
• David Lee
• David B. McNaughton
• Kelly Mercorella
• Paul J. Riccomini
• Jonte C. Taylor

News

Some recent news articles related to the program include:

• How to Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Penn State featured in U.S. News’ 2025 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings
• Special education program supports working teachers through pandemic challenges
• Recent grad's dream is to make an impact in the lives of children with autism

We Are Penn State

The program is part of Penn State's commitment to providing high-quality education to students around the world. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers and make a positive impact in the lives of children and youth with disabilities.