Impacting teaching and learning for children with disabilities

There has never been a greater need for all educators to understand and appreciate the unique challenges of children with disabilities. No other master's degree-level, special education program in the greater St. Louis region comes close to matching the expertise and practical applications that the UMSL ME.d. in Special Education brings to practicing special educators.

Concentrations are available in:

  • Behavior Principles and Interventions
  • Inclusive Education
  • Transition Studies

 

 

Program type:

Graduate, MEd

Format:

On-Campus, 100% Online

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Overview

Master of Education -

Special Education

The Master of Education in Special Education explores important core knowledge in special education. The program's primary goal is to empower professionals as thoughtful educators who use best practices when assisting and empowering students with disabilities. Research and data-driven decision-making are emphasized throughout the program. Graduate students will apply learned and evaluated research into practice in their courses, and learn to analyze multiple types of assessment data.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Interpret and apply historic and current special education laws and policies related to student identification, rights and responsibilities, access, support, and transition.
  • Design student-centered programming that facilitates the active involvement and empowerment of individuals with disabilities and their families in the educational planning process. 
  • Describe how abilities/disabilities may interact with development and learning and apply this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with disabilities across curricular content areas.
  • Identify a variety of formal and informal assessments, data sources, and practices to implement and guide educational decisions for individuals with disabilities.
  • Select, adapt, and implement a repertoire of evidence-based practices to advance learning and quality of life of individuals with disabilities.
  • Collaborate with families as well as partners in the school system, service system, and community to improve student and post-school outcomes.
  • Develop essential skills and dispositions (e.g., attitudes, perceptions, values, and beliefs) to guide professional practice, engage in lifelong learning, and advance positive change as leaders in classrooms and communities.
  •  Utilize inclusive frameworks, strategies, and practices, including alignment of individualized education program goals, in grade level curriculum/standards and assessments within an inclusive educational environment;
  • Analyze policies and research to guide the use of inclusive education evidence-based practices as well as to support advocacy skills as a leader in the field;
  • Develop collaborative partnerships with families, educators, related service providers, and paraprofessionals to support academic and social inclusion for individuals with disabilities

Employment of special education teachers is projected to grow up to 8% to 2030, with a median annual salary of $61,500, according to wage and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



61,500

Median annual salary

8

Employment growth by 2030

Career Opportunities

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Adult Basic, Literacy and Secondary Education Teacher
  • Career and Technical Education Teacher
  • Post-Secondary Teacher
  • Post-Secondary Administrator
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Educational Administrator
  • Textbook Writer
  • Curriculum Developer
  • Educational Consultant
  • Educational Program Planner

 

Admissions requirements include an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher, a completed UMSL Graduate School Application, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and two letters of recommendation.

Application Deadlines

Fall - July 1, Spring - December 1, Summer - May 1

Download Program Requirements

Plan of study

 

Choose your emphasis

Behavior Principles and Interventions

Behavior Principles and Interventions

Inclusive Education

Inclusive Education

Transition Studies

Transition Studies

 

Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the NC-SARA state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

Student Organizations - Make new friends and learn new skills by joining one of our Recognized Student Organizations

Career Services – Students have access to professional career counselors who can assist in everything from resume development and interview preparation to lining up an internship or connecting you with your next fulltime career. UMSL alumni also enjoy high quality, lifelong career management programming, services, events and resources to assist in all phases of career development.

Networking – with the largest alumni network in the region, UMSL graduate students have access to leading professionals engaged in business, research, entrepreneurship, non-profit, government, community organizations. Our academic units engage this network in curriculum development to ensure our graduate students gain the skills needed to advance along their choose career path.

Research – There are many opportunities for graduate students to showcase their research including our annual Graduate Research Fair, which is open to students from all graduate programs. Doctoral and thesis master’s students can also compete in the Three Minute Thesis challenge to be evaluated by a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes.