Online Master of Science in Education in Special Education
Open doors by unlocking your potential.
Exceptional individuals require highly skilled educators, specialists, and support staff that can plan and facilitate special education curricula in a safe and engaging environment. The Online MSE in Special Education program is designed to provide an avenue for students with bachelor’s degrees to expand upon their education with the option of three emphases to customize their learning experience.
Why UW-Whitewater Online?
- Top-notch, 100% doctoral instructors
- Flexible and convenient for your schedule
- Scholarships available for qualifying students
- 98% employment rate for college graduates
Specialized Degree
Each candidate receives a program tailored for their experience.
Fully Online
No requirements to come to campus.
Ranked #1 in Wisconsin
More teaching licenses awarded than any other university.
Online Master of Science in Education in Special Education
Curriculum
This program offers a high quality, practitioner-oriented approach that is committed to developing highly-qualified and effective educators, specialists, and support staff that work with exceptional individuals.
The Online MSE in Special Education is a 36-credit program with an emphasis in either Applied Behavior Analysis, Cross-Categorical Licensure or Evidence Based Practice. This fully online program can be started any term and at a pace that works best for you. Full-time students can finish in as little as a year and a half.
The Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis Master's degree is designed to prepare professionals with undergraduate degrees in education or related fields to use Applied Behavior Analysis to create, coordinate and/or implement ABA-based interventions with individuals who have challenging behavior and/or disabilities.
The Cross-Categorical Licensure emphasis is for individuals seeking either an initial teaching license or to add-on a Cross-Categorical special education teaching license to their existing teaching license(s). Students who already have a teaching license in another area may be able to include some elective options.
The Evidence Based Practice emphasis is available to individuals from a wide variety of careers who work with individuals with special needs including currently licensed teachers and individuals in related fields. The Evidence Based Practice emphasis is made up of 9 required credits and 27 elective credits, which can include one or more graduate certificates.
More information on each emphasis structure and courses can be viewed in the Graduate Catalog.
Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis - New emphasis, available in graduate catalog Summer 2023.
Cross-Categorical Licensure Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Evidence Based Practice Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Admission Requirements
To ensure a high quality graduate student group, all MSE in Special Education students must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and meet graduate admission criteria.
If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.
International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.
Online MSE in Special Education - Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis Special Education
Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis Special Education
The Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis Master's degree is designed to prepare professionals with undergraduate degrees in education or related fields to use Applied Behavior Analysis to create, coordinate and/or implement ABA-based interventions with individuals who have challenging behavior and/or disabilities. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the ABA courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
Applied Behavior Analysis Coursework (21 credits):
- SPECED 709 Advanced Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- SPECED 701 Advanced Methodology and Practices in Special Education: Single-Case Design
- SPECED 711 Ethics in Research and Applied Behavior Analysis
- SPECED 741 Philosophy of Applied Behavior Analysis
- SPECED 742 Supervision of Programs and Personnel in Applied Behavior Analysis
- SPECED 712 Behavior Assessment
- SPECED 715 Behavior Change Procedures
Action Research (6 credits)
- SPECED 702 Reflective Practice and Action Research
- SPECED 704 Applied Field Action Research in Special Education
Electives (9 credits)
Students will work with their advisor to choose 9 elective credits.
Admission Requirements:
Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate Catalog.
Online MSE in Special Education - Emphasis in Cross Categorical Special Education
Emphasis in Cross Categorical Special Education
The MSE in Special Education with an emphasis in Cross Categorical Special Education is designed for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree who seek initial licensure in special education. Individuals with current emergency licenses are also ideal candidates for this program.
Courses for the Cross Categorical emphasis may include:
- EDFOUND 710 Education in a Pluralistic Society (Summer)
- SPECED 700 Legal Foundations of Special Education (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
- SPECED 760 Foundations and Characteristics of CD/EBD/LD (Fall)
- SPECED 761 Instructional Strategies for The Inclusive Classroom (Spring)
- SPECED 662 Educational-Diagnosis and Assessment in LD, E/BD, CD (Summer)
- SPECED 640 Advanced Behavior Intervention Strategies (Spring)
- SPECED 783 Phase 3 Portfolio (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
- SPECED 686 Academic Intervention I (Summer)
- SPECED 687 Academic Intervention II (Summer)
- SPECED 766 Professional Collaborations: Families and Community Agencies (Summer)
- SPECED 680 Phase 4 Portfolio (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
- SPECFLD 793 In-service Practicum or SPECFLD 789 Practicum (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
Students can complete a 36 credit MSE in Special Education with an Emphasis in Cross Categorical Special Education in as little as a year in a half.
Admission Requirements:
Students must pass a criminal background check prior to admission to professional education.
Online MSE in Special Education - Emphasis in Evidence Based Practice
Evidence Based Practice Emphasis Graduate Certificates
In the Evidence Based Practice emphasis, students can combine two graduate certificate as part of their master’s degree. Graduate certificates include Autism, Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Disabilities, Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health in Schools, Trauma Informed Practice in Education, Transition, and Assistive Technology (coming Fall 24).
Students also have the option to select any combination of 27 elective credits from the courses available in the graduate special education course catalog.
Emphasis in Evidence Based Practice
The MSE in Special Education with an emphasis in Evidence Based Practice is designed for currently licensed teachers or professionals in related fields who seek advanced knowledge in special education.
Required courses for the Evidence Based Practice emphasis include:
- SPECED 702 Reflective Practice and Action Research, 3 credits (Fall or Summer)
- SPECED 704 Applied Field Action Research in Special Education, 3 credits (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
- SPECED 785 Current Topics in Special Education: Pre-Institute, 1 credit (Summer)
- SPECED 786 Current Topics in Special Education: Institute, 1 credit (Summer)
- SPECED 787 Current Topics in Special Education: Post Institute, 1 credit (Summer)
Elective courses for Evidence Based Practice emphasis include:
- SPECED 701 Advanced Methodology and Practices in Special Education (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
- SPECED 703 Promoting Reform through Collaborative Leadership (Spring, for Transition certificate)
- SPECED 706 Transition Assessment for Students with Special Needs (Summer, for Transition certificate)
- SPECED 707 Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Spring, Summer, for Autism certificate)
- SPECED 708 Methods for Teaching Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Fall, Summer, for Autism certificate)
- SPECED 709 Advanced Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
- SPECED 711 Ethics in Research and Applied Behavior Analysis (Summer, for ABA certificate)
- SPECED 712 Philosophy of Applied Behavior Analysis (Spring, Summer, for ABA certificate)
- SPECED 715 Supervision of Programs and Personnel in ABA (Summer, for ABA certificate)
- SPECED 741 Behavior Assessment (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
- SPECED 742 Behavior Change Procedures (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
- SPECED 781 School-to-Adult Life Transitional Planning (Summer, for Transition certificate)
Admission Requirements:
Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate Catalog.
Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Special Education
Applied Behavior Analysis - Online Graduate Certificate
The Online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis pairs research and experience to prepare professionals to work with individuals with behavior needs.
Assistive Technology - Online Graduate Certificate
The online graduate certificate in Assistive Technology will teach you about Assistive Technology assessment principles, software applications, and devices that can be used virtually or in-person to meet the needs of neurodivergent students. They will also learn about professional conduct, as well as the history and the law of Assistive Technology.
Autism Specialist - Online Graduate Certificate
The Online Autism Specialist Graduate Certificate is ideal for educators who want to increase their understanding of working with children with autism.
Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Disabilities - Online Graduate Certificate
The Online Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Disabilities prepares professionals with an understanding of the neurobiological causes of dyslexia, techniques to skillfully intervene, and proficiencies in evaluating educational needs in reading.
Trauma Informed Educational Practice - Online Graduate Certificate
The online graduate certificate in Trauma Informed Educational Practice certificate prepares professionals with undergraduate degrees in education or related fields to provide support for districts whose students have been impacted by trauma.
Transition - Online Graduate Certificate
The Online Transition Graduate Certificate prepares educators, independent living professionals, and transition specialists to work effectively with exceptional adolescents and young adults.
Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health in Schools - Online Graduate Certificate
The Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health in Schools certificate is an interdisciplinary program for professionals working with children and adolescents in school-based settings with a focus on understanding the social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics and needs of youth, especially when identified mental health needs are present.