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 option area as a part of their program. This requirement may be waived for personnel in related fields (e.g., nurses, occupational or physical therapists, speech-language pathologists) or international students. This program includes a choice among a variety of options.

Options

Students must select one option with advisor consultation and approval. Special Education credential and related courses may be included as approved by the faculty advisor.

• Autism Spectrum Disorders Option
• Early Childhood Special Education Option
• Mild-Moderate Support Needs Option
• Extensive Support Needs Option
• Multicultural Multilingual Special Education Option
• Visual Impairment and Blindness: Orientation and Mobility
• Visual Impairment and Blindness: Teacher Preparation

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
• completed (or complete concurrently) requirements for a California credential in special education or equivalent. This requirement may be waived for personnel in related fields (e.g., nurses, occupational or physical therapists, speech-language pathologists) or international students 
• completed all division application procedures
• 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 education specialist credentials and graduate programs in the Division of Special Education and Counseling. Candidates are encouraged to seek advisement for determining when to apply to the MA program as only 30% of pre-approved units may be applied towards the MA degree. A minimum of 30 units is required, with at least one-half in 5000-level courses. Total units vary by option. The candidate must maintain a minimum 3.0 (B) grade point average, with no grade lower than C. The program has five components:

• Pre-requisite courses as applicable;
• Credential requirements;
• MA required core courses;
• Required specialization courses and electives that are approved by the advisor; and
• Successful completion of the Culminating Experiences (Comprehensive Examination, Thesis, or Project). Students must pass all sections of the comprehensive examination by the third attempt. Students may pursue the thesis or project option only when they meet specified division and college criteria. Once a student has taken EDSP 5960 (Comprehensive Exam) units, they cannot change to the thesis track and vice versa. 

See restriction on credit earned in variable unit courses in the College of Education section of the academic programs: college-based and university-wide chapter.

Learning Outcomes  Roadmap - EDSP MA (2023)