The Master of Arts (MA) degree in Special Education provides administrators, teachers, and therapists with advanced preparation for work with exceptional learners. MA candidates must incorporate the credential requirements in their area of specialization as a part of their program. (This requirement may be waived for personnel in related fields, such as nurses, occupational or physical therapists, or speech language pathologists.) The MA programs include a choice among a variety of options.
Admission to the Program
In addition to university requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must have a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average in their last 60 semester units attempted, must have completed (or complete concurrently) requirements for a California credential in special education or equivalent (this requirement may be waived for personnel in related fields, such as nurses, occupational or physical therapists, or speech language pathologists), must complete all division application procedures, and must obtain approval from the division. A number of scholarships and traineeships are available to qualified students. Interested students should contact the division office.
Advisement
Students should seek advisement for all special education credential and graduate programs in the Division of Special Education and Counseling.
Candidates are encouraged to apply for the MA program during the second or third semester of the credential program, as only 30% or 10 pre-approved units may be applied towards the MA degree.