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College of Education
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< About

  • Mission & History
  • Strategic Plan
  • Points of Distinction
  • Leadership
  • Academic Departments, Centers, Institutes & Offices
  • Faculty and Staff Directory
  • Inclusion & Diversity
  • Outreach Efforts
  • Buildings & Facilities
  • Career Opportunities
  • Ways to Give
Dean Jerlando Jackson stands in front of a sign that reads Michigan State University.

Meet Dean Jackson

Meet Dean Jerlando F. L. Jackson

< Academics

  • Majors & Degree-Granting Programs
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Master's Studies
  • Doctoral Studies
  • Online Studies
  • Graduate Certificates & Specializations
  • Undergraduate Student Support
  • Graduate Student Support
  • Assistantships
  • Scholarships
  • Accreditation

< Certifications

  • Become Certified or Add an Endorsement
  • School Psychologist Certification
  • Student Affairs Office
  • MSU Academic Programs Catalog
  • MSU Office of Accreditation, Assessment, Curriculum & Compliance
Individual bikes on MSU's campus

Educator Preparation & Accreditation

Explore our efforts

< Research

  • Office of Research Administration
  • Centers & Institutes
  • Student Research Opportunities
  • Research & Award News
  • Faculty Directory
Aerial view of a driver in a race car

Cooler, safer race car tech via MSU study

Read about our research

< Outreach

  • Policy
  • K-12 Schools & Districts
  • Urban Areas
  • International Areas
  • Alumni
  • Institute for the Study of Youth Sports
  • Office of Access & Community Engagement
  • Office of International Studies in Education
  • Office of K-12 Outreach
  • All Offices, Centers & Institutes
oise

40+ years of the Office of International Studies

Explore our impact

< News & Events

  • News
  • New Educator Magazine
  • Subscribe: ReviewED Newsletter
  • Events Listing
Ann Austin poses for the camera in front of a bookshelf

Celebrating: Ann E. Austin

Austin named Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science
Education > Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education >

Special Education, M.A.

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Meet Program Coordinator, Erin Hamilton

Ask Us Anything

Special Education, M.A.

Advance your Teaching Career

Michigan State University offers a top-ranked, fully online Master of Arts in Special Education designed for passionate K-12 educators. Our program, recognized by U.S. News & World Report, equips you with advanced skills to support diverse learners. Enhance your teaching practice with specialized courses and focus areas, including endorsements in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities. Benefit from a flexible, high-quality education that fits your schedule, while joining a collaborative community of professionals dedicated to making a difference in special education.

Why choose MSU?

  • Flexible Online Format: Learn on your schedule with our fully online program.
  • Top-Ranked Education: Benefit from a degree recognized for excellence.
  • Specialized Endorsements: Gain expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorders or Learning Disabilities.
  • Experienced Faculty: Learn from leading experts in the field of special education.
  • Career Advancement: Enhance your credentials and open new career opportunities.

Key Features of Our Program

  • Personalized Learning: Choose courses and focus areas that align with your career goals.
  • Supportive Community: Join a network of educators committed to inclusive education.
  • Real-World Application: Apply your learning directly to your teaching practice.

Start your journey with MSU and become a leader in special education. Explore our program and take the next step in your professional growth.

Receive more information about our program by email
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Special Education Focus Areas and Endorsements

There are a variety of program sequences students can take to earn their M.A. in Special Education. The program also offers endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Learning Disabilities (LD).

Coursework incorporates research-validated instructional methods and evidence-based practices to help graduates successfully educate students in kindergarten through grade 12.

Learn more about endorsement areas
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The Online Student Experience: Grace Gimesky

Learn more about being an online master’s student at MSU’s College of Education from Grace Gimesky, a special education teacher based in Ypsilanti, MI. A recent alum, Grace balanced her studies in the M.A. in Special Education program (seeking the Learning Disabilities endorsement) with working full time as an educator. Here she discusses what drew her to the field of special education, how she chose Michigan State for her master’s degree, and how she juggled graduate school with her professional and personal obligations.

Our Program at a Glance

Leaders in Special Education

Becoming a Spartan special educator means interacting with faculty who are national and international leaders in their field.

Courses are taught by faculty members who have extensive experience as researchers, teacher educators and special education classroom teachers. Faculty teach in their areas of expertise, including assessment, literacy, applied behavior analysis and more.

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Points of Distinction

Ranked #3 in the Nation

U.S. News & World Report ranks MSU third in the nation for online master’s in special education.

Learn more

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100%

Of Courses are Fully Online

30-36

Credits, Typically Completed in Two Years

1:1

Academic Advising for All Students

>85%

Of Graduates Received a Pay Increase

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