College of Education and Human Services
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehs/ldes

About This Program

The Special Education M.Ed. program provides a deep understanding of special education practices and prepares you to excel as an educator. Join us and make a difference in the lives of students. Read more...

Contact Information

• Karen Kritzer | (Deaf Education concentration) | kkritzer@kent.edu | 330-672-0608
• Sanna Harjusola-Webb | (Early Childhood Intervention Specialist and Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs concentrations) | shwebb@kent.edu | 330-672-0585
• Ching I Chen | (Early Childhood Intervention Specialist and Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs concentrations) | cchen46@kent.edu | 330-672-0609
• Pena Bedesem | (General Special Education concentration) | pbedesem@kent.edu | 330-672-6332
• Nathan Stevenson | (Mild/Moderate Educational Needs concentration) | nsteve15@kent.edu |
  330-672-0607
• Rob Cimera | (Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs and Transition to Work concentrations) | rcimera@kent.edu | 330-672-5796

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Online (General Special Education concentration only)
  • Mostly online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The Deaf Education concentration is accredited by the Council of Education of the Deaf.

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students in the Deaf Education concentration should not take SPED 53309.

Deaf Education Concentration Requirements

Early Childhood Intervention Specialist Concentration Requirements

General Special Education Concentration Requirements

Mild/Moderate Educational Needs Concentration Requirements

Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs Concentration Requirements

Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the degree.
• Students in the Deaf Education concentration must also pass the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) at the intermediate level for graduation.
• Students seeking a Reading Endorsement must see their advisor before beginning ANY coursework.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Develop advanced skills in designing, implementing and evaluating research-based practices that meet the special education needs of learners with disabilities.
2. Understand the conceptual underpinnings of special education, as well as policies that guide its implementation in school and community settings.
3. Analyze contemporary issues surrounding special education and the impact of exceptionality on individuals and their families.
4. Understand the roles that research plays in special education theory.
5. Demonstrate mastery of special education content within a particular specialization (e.g., mild/moderate, deaf education).

Full Description

The Master of Education degree in Special Education provides students with advanced understanding of contemporary research and practice issues in special education. Students in the program are typically interested in pursuing enhanced professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy and systems change; or they may be wanting to prepare for doctoral-level study. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree in special education (or in education) to be successful in the master's degree; however, they should be motivated to develop a deeper understanding of the field of special education.

The M.Ed. degree program does not prepare students for teacher licensure; however, some of the coursework required for the degree may count toward licensure. Students interested in both licensure and a M.Ed. degree will need to apply and be fully admitted into both the master's degree and the non-degree graduate licensure preparation program.

The Special Education major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Deaf Education concentration focuses on needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• The Early Childhood Intervention Specialist concentration focuses on needs of young children with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities, birth to grade 5 (birth to age 10) and their families.
• The General Special Education concentration provides a broad focus on special education across all ages and types of student needs. Students  work with a graduate adviser to develop a personalized plan of study.
• The Mild/Moderate Educational Needs concentration focuses on needs of students with mild to moderate educational needs who most often participate in the general education academic curriculum with special education supports.
• The Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs concentration focuses on students with moderate to intensive educational needs who most often require modifications to the general academic curriculum and/or other extensive special education supports.
• The Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs concentration focuses on the needs of preschool children with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities.