This master's degree is designed to prepare both educators for the classroom and individuals working in a special education context outside of the classroom with the specialized skills and content knowledge needed to support the needs of individuals with disabilities. Students may focus their program on a specific area in the field by completing a licensure concentration or non-licensure certificate program in conjunction with the MEd to fulfill the elective credits for the MEd degree program.
Policies
Prior to applying for internships, students in all licensure concentrations must successfully complete:
-
Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training
Students enrolled in the General K-12 Licensure concentration must also complete:
-
Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
Students enrolled in the Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure concentration must also complete:
-
Praxis Braille Proficiency Test
-
Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
Licensure testing requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30-47
MEd without concentration (Non-licensure)
The 30-credit MEd in Special Education without concentration (Non-licensure) provides students the opportunity to individualize their program of study to work with children and adults with disabilities across their lifespan. Students who select this option do not complete licensure requirements. The Non-licensure option may be used as a pathway to doctoral studies.
Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| EDSE 590 | Special Education Research | 3 |
| or BEHV 798 | Thesis I | |
| Language Development and Reading | 3 | |
| Select one from the following: | ||
| Language Development and Reading | ||
| Foundations of Language and Literacy for Individuals with Severe Disabilities | ||
| Applied Behavior Analysis: Verbal Behavior | ||
| Supporting Communication and Literacy for Individuals with Autism | ||
| Consultation and Collaboration | 3 | |
| Select one from the following: | ||
| Autism Across the Lifespan: Collaboration with Critical Partners | ||
| Consultation, Collaboration, and IEP Development | ||
| Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities | ||
| Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysis | ||
| Restricted Electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
MEd with concentration in Behavior Analysis
The 36-credit MEd in Special Education with concentration in Behavior Analysis prepares students to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board™ exam. Passing the exam is a prerequisite for licensure in Behavior Analysis in all states that require a license to practice. Students will be prepared to work with a variety of populations such as children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, adults with health and wellness behavior change goals, and people with substance use disorders, across a variety of settings such as homes, hospitals, corporations, and clinics. Students will also learn to conduct behavior analytic research.
The concentration in Behavior Analysis is not a teacher preparation program and does not lead to teacher licensure.
Courses from ABAI-accredited programs at other institutions will be considered for transfer of credit on a case by case basis. Courses from ABAI Verified Course Sequences (VCS) will not be accepted.
Core Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| BEHV 798 | Thesis I | 3 |
| Language Development and Reading | ||
| EDSE 625 | Applied Behavior Analysis: Verbal Behavior | 3 |
| Consultation and Collaboration | ||
| EDSE 664 | Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentration Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BEHV 602 | Principles of Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| BEHV 603 | Conceptual Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
| BEHV 604 | Research Methods for Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| BEHV 605 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
| BEHV 606 | Assessment of Behavior | 3 |
| BEHV 607 | Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| BEHV 799 | Thesis II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
MEd with concentration in K-12 Adapted Curriculum Licensure (KACL)
The 42-credit MEd in Special Education with concentration in K-12 Adapted Curriculum Licensure provides students the opportunity to focus on individuals with severe disabilities. Students will learn to develop teaching strategies and curricula that enable individuals with severe disabilities to access an adapted curriculum and address areas of functional and independent living skills. Students who have completed graduate or undergraduate coursework equivalent to concentration coursework prior to admission to this program may request that some courses in this concentration be waived. Students who are eligible to waive coursework must complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits to graduate. In addition to coursework, students must complete mandated state/accreditation assessments.
Core Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| EDSE 590 | Special Education Research | 3 |
| Language Development and Reading | ||
| EDSE 557 | Foundations of Language and Literacy for Individuals with Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| Consultation and Collaboration | ||
| EDSE 663 | Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentration Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 531 | Transition and Community-Based Instruction | 3 |
| EDSE 532 | Positive Behavior Supports | 3 |
| EDSE 533 | Assessment and Program Planning for Adapted Curriculum | 3 |
| EDSE 534 | Communication and Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSE 547 | Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSE 661 | Curriculum and Methods: Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSE 669 | Individualized Supports and Specialized Care of Students with Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSE 784 | Internship: Adapted Curriculum | 6 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
MEd with concentration in K-12 General Curriculum Licensure (KGCL)
The 39-credit MEd in Special Education with concentration in K-12 General Curriculum Licensure provides students the opportunity to focus on individuals with mild to moderate disabilities. Students will be prepared to support students with disabilities who access the general academic curriculum in inclusive settings and provide direct instruction in special education settings as needed. Students who have completed graduate or undergraduate coursework equivalent to concentration coursework prior to admission to this program may request that some courses in this concentration be waived. Students who are eligible to waive coursework must complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits to graduate. In addition to coursework, students must complete mandated state/accreditation assessments.
Core Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| EDSE 590 | Special Education Research | 3 |
| Language Development and Reading | ||
| EDSE 503 | Language Development and Reading | 3 |
| Consultation and Collaboration | ||
| EDSE 662 | Consultation, Collaboration, and IEP Development | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentration Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 502 | Classroom Management and Individualized Behavior Supports | 3 |
| EDSE 540 | Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum | 3 |
| EDSE 544 | Adapted Instructional Methods and Transition for Secondary Learners | 3 |
| EDSE 627 | Assessment | 3 |
| EDSE 641 | Instructional Strategies for Reading and Writing | 3 |
| EDSE 643 | Instructional Strategies for Math | 3 |
| EDSE 783 | Internship: Special Education in General Curriculum | 6 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
MEd with concentration in PK-12 Blindness and Visual Impairments Licensure (PBVL)
The 47-credit MEd in Special Education with concentration in PK-12 Blindness and Visual Impairments Licensure prepares students to work with blind and visually impaired individuals, including those who have multiple disabilities. Students learn to support individuals in both general and special education settings. Students who have completed graduate or undergraduate coursework equivalent to concentration coursework prior to admission to this program may request that some courses in this concentration be waived. Students who are eligible to waive coursework must complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits to graduate. In addition to coursework, students must complete mandated state/accreditation assessments.
Core Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| EDSE 590 | Special Education Research | 3 |
| Language Development and Reading | ||
| EDSE 503 | Language Development and Reading | 3 |
| Consultation and Collaboration | ||
| EDSE 663 | Collaborative Teamwork to Support Students with Significant Disabilities | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentration Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDAT 522 | Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments | 3 |
| EDSE 511 | Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments | 3 |
| EDSE 512 | Braille Code | 3 |
| EDSE 513 | Medical and Educational Implications of Blindness and Visual Impairments | 3 |
| EDSE 514 | Orientation and Mobility for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments | 2 |
| EDSE 518 | Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments | 3 |
| EDSE 532 | Positive Behavior Supports | 3 |
| EDSE 613 | Teaching Methods for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments | 3 |
| EDSE 616 | Braille Reading and Writing | 3 |
| EDSE 785 | Internship: Blindness and Visual Impairments | 6 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Special Education, Accelerated MEd
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA or BS in any degree area and an MEd in Special Education in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and additional unit-specific criteria (see Application Requirements and Deadlines).
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.
Accelerated Master’s Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MEd program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:
- 3.0 overall GPA
- Completion of specific undergraduate coursework
- Successfully meeting Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit (to be determined by the student and their advisor):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Language Development and Reading | ||
| Foundations of Language and Literacy for Individuals with Severe Disabilities | ||
| Applied Behavior Analysis: Verbal Behavior | ||
| EDSE approved electives up to 9 credits | ||
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.