M.Ed. in Special Education

The mission of the Special Education Graduate program is to provide candidates with a specialization in special education. There are two tracks in this program:

The K-8 special education teaching certification option is designed for educators who are already certified in early childhood (PreK-4) or middle school (grades 4-8) teaching. Candidates who successfully complete this program will earn their Masters in Education: Special Education degree from the university and be recommended to the state of Pennsylvania for the added teaching certification.
The M.Ed. in Special Education Non-Certification track is open to candidates who wish to develop their understanding of special education theory, law, and practices for application in contexts outside of the public school classroom. This track does not lead to an additional teaching certification and does not require an existing certification as an admission requirement. Candidates who successfully complete this program earn their Masters in Education: Special Education degree from the university and may apply their knowledge in institutional and community settings.

Contact Mansfield University Admissions

The Masters of Education in Special Education is offered entirely online. Participation in either program includes field components, to which clearance requirements apply. At the conclusion of coursework, the successful completion of comprehensive written examinations is required. Candidates in the certification track will not need to student teach, but must successfully pass the Praxis Exam for Special Education.

View the program requirements in the Graduate Catalog.

Students walking in front of Retan Center

Connect with the Education & Special Education Program

Department Chair:
Dr. Jeff Bosworth
jboswort@mansfield.edu
202-B Retan Center
Phone: 570-662-4762

View all Education and Special Education faculty.

Administrative Assistant:
Courtney Heatley
cheatley@mansfield.edu
202 Retan Center
Phone: 570-662-4560

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Candidates who are applying to programs that may lead to certification in states other than Pennsylvania must be aware of the various state professional certification requirements. For more information about certification, candidates should contact the governing body in the state for which certification is sought. The U.S. Department of Education web page may be helpful for candidates seeking contact information for departments of education (and other related education agencies) in different states and territories.

Licensure and Certification Information

While some of Mansfield University's professional degree programs are designed to prepare students to meet Pennsylvania's licensure or certification requirements, these programs are not necessarily compatible with licensure or certification requirements in other states. Students who plan to enroll in Mansfield's degree programs with the intent to pursue licensure or certification in states other than Pennsylvania must be aware of the professional licensure requirements in those states. Current students who are planning to undertake field experiences outside of Pennsylvania should also be aware the requirements of other states. Consistent with federal regulations, Mansfield is making a good faith effort to determine if our academic programs leading to licensure or certification meet the requirements of licensing boards in other states. Doing so requires contacting out-of-state licensing boards and having those boards review Mansfield's program curricula. As information from the out-of-state licensure boards is received, it will be posted on the University Licensure and Certification page.

M.Ed. in Special Education