Pursuing a Master’s in Special Education Degree Programs in Texas will allow both new and experienced teachers in the state to work with children who have emotional, physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities. Many of the programs prepare teachers to work in a kindergarten through 12th grade setting, while some of the programs also train teachers to work with children under the age of six.
In Texas, there are several options to choose from in the field of special education. All of the programs on this list are fully accredited, with the institution having regional accreditation and the special education program earning specialized field-specific accreditation. Some of the programs are also online, allowing busy teachers to take courses at a time that is convenient, from the comforts of their own home. Other programs offer flexible evening, weekend and summer-intensive courses designed to allow teachers to continue to work in the classrooms while pursuing a graduate degree.
Sam Houston State University
Office of Graduate Studies
The Office of Graduate Studies offers dozens of graduate-level degrees in areas such as victim service management, specula education, statistics, music, international literacy, biology, accounting and clinical psychology. There are also several graduate certificate programs available, such as a PGA golf management program, a School Counselor Certification, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Certification program.
Master of Education in Special Education with an Educational Diagnostician emphasis
This 36 credit hour program prepares teachers to earn, not only a special education endorsement or credential for their teaching license, but also an educational diagnostician certification. In order to receive the EDC, teachers must have two years of classroom teaching experience, and many program participants have already earned that prior to enrolling in the master’s degree program. Classes are offered at three campuses: main campus, The Woodlands Center and University Park. Students may choose to attend classes at any of, or all of, the locations. There is also a hybrid program available, where coursework can be completed in a traditional classroom and online.
Accreditations
Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. In addition, the College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Contact
Sam Houston University
Office of Graduate Studies
1806 Avenue J
Huntsville, TX 77340
(936) 294-1971
[email protected]
http://www.shsu.edu/programs/master-of-education-in-special-education-educational-diagnostician/
Stephen F. Austin State University
Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services at Stephen F. Austin State University offers eight academic programs in the field of special education: counseling and student affairs, deaf and hard of hearing, orientation and mobility, rehabilitation services, school psychology, special education, speech-language pathology and visual impairment. There are also several research clinics and laboratories, including the Autism Clinic, the Human Neuroscience Laboratory and the School Psychology Assessment Center. These laboratories are designed to give students a unique hands-on experience in specialized areas of special education.
M.Ed. in Special Education Online (initial teacher certification in Special Education)
This 45 credit hour online program is designed for new teachers seeking initial licensure as an educator. Students are required to take several prerequisite courses, as well as courses in math, reading and pedagogy, a thesis project and student teaching. This program prepares individuals to work at all grade levels, which children who have mild, moderate or profound disabilities. Prior to earning initial teaching licensure and the special education endorsement, the student must successfully complete the TExES examination.
M.Ed. in Special Education Online (Educational Diagnostician certification seeking)
Both current teachers and individuals who have a master’s degree in a related field are eligible for the educational diagnostician program. This program focuses on special education, assessment and special education law. Upon program completion, the individual will have the qualifications necessary to work in the public school systems in order to ensure that special education services are provided to all eligible children within the state and federal laws. With the exception of field experience, the program can be completed online.
Accreditations
Stephen F. Austin State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS. In addition, the education and special education programs have earned an accreditation through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Contact
Stephen F. Austin State University
Special Education
P.O. Box 13019 SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
(936) 468-1078
[email protected]
http://www.sfasu.edu/humanservices/124.asp
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at Brownsville
College of Education
The Graduate College at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Brownsville campus offers more than 50 master’s and doctorate level programs, including unique options for teachers such as Bilingual Education, Educational Technology, and E-Learning. The college has a focus on respect for the culturally and linguistically diverse learners, as well as the use of best practices, reflective inquiry and critical thinking. The university also asks that faculty be active in both scholarly work and service, making them well-rounded and experienced in their fields.
Master of Education in Special Education
The Master of Education in Special Education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Brownsville campus offers a 30-credit hour course of study that can be completed in just 10 months. The comprehensive program covers everything from assessments in special eduction and strategies for helping students develop communication and social skills to working with multilingual exceptional learners and applied behavior analysis interventions. In order to be admitted to the program, applicants must have a valid teaching license or approval from the graduate program faculty plus coursework in the fields of special education, psychology or social sciences.
Accreditations
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Brownsville campus is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the education program is accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and most recently, was awarded National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education accreditation.
Contact
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Brownsville Campus
College of Education
BMAIN 2.306
Brownsville, TX 78520-4991
(956) 882-5708
[email protected]
https://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/for-future-students/graduate-programs/program-requirements/special-education-med-ao/index.htm
University of North Texas
College of Education at the Toulouse Graduate School
The College of Education offers several degree options, including certification, master’s degrees, M.Ed programs and PhD programs in the areas of bilingual education, counseling, curriculum and instruction, early childhood studies, educational leadership, educational psychology, higher education, kinesiology, sport management, teaching and special education. The US News & World Report ranked UNT as one of the Top Schools for Innovative Changes in Academics, Faulty, Studies, Campus Life, Diversity and Facilities.
Master’s of Education in Special Education
The Master’s of Education in Special Education program strives to produce teachers qualified to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults diagnosed with disabilities. The program offers concentrations in autism interventions, behavior specialist, educational diagnostician, mild/moderate disabilities, instructional models and transition specialists. All students have access to the UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center and the Center for Parent Education in order to gain valuable and state-of-the-art research and intervention experience.
Graduate Academic Certificate: Educational Diagnostician
This program is designed for students who already have a master’s degree in a field either inside or outside the area of special education. All applicants must have a valid teaching license and at least two years of teaching experienced as a fully licensed teacher. This program is up to 36 credit hours in length and helps to certify individuals to administer the WISC-IV, Stanford Binet V, the WJ-COG, the WIAT-III and other educational standardized assessments.
Graduate Academic Certificate: Autism Intervention (GAC-AUTI)
The GAC-AUTI program is 18 credit hours in length, and must be completed in four years. All courses for this program are offered online. All credit hours may be earned towards a master’s degree in special education if the program participant desires. Students will complete coursers in behavior management strategies, teaching students with high-functioning autism, assessment of autism spectrum disorders and autism across the lifespan.
Accreditations
The programs at the University of North Texas are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education (ACCE), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Association for Behavior Analysis, Inc., the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the State Board for Educator Certification.
Contact
University of North Texas
Department of Educational Psychology
1155 Union Circle #311335
Denton, TX 76203-5017
[email protected]
http://www.unt.edu/gradmajors/spedm.htm
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
College of Education
The College of Education offers graduate courses that often lead to educational specializations, advanced certifications and licensers. Students can choose one of six specializations in the Master of Arts in Education program: educational leadership, educational counseling, professional education in early childhood education, bilingual and ESL education, reading and special education. All students with a valid teaching certificate or who are pursuing a degree that will lead to licensure are eligible to be considered for the institution’s BEST scholarship.
MA in Education: Special Education
The MA in Education: Special Education program is a 36-45 hour program that can be completed in two years. Students have the option to complete the entire program online, for maximum flexibility. Students in the program can choose from three distinct tracks: generic special education, educational diagnostician and autism and developmental disabilities in early childhood. The generic special education concentration is a 36 hour program that prepares teachers to work in a K-12 setting with children who have mild to moderate disabilities. The educational diagnostician track is 45 credit hour program, with nine hours required to be taken on campus during the summer. The autism concentration is designed for individuals who would like to work with children who have developmental disabilities in school, early intervention or community-based programs.
Accreditations
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the special education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the State Board for Educator Certification.
Contact
College of Education
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
(432) 552-2120
https://www.utpb.edu/academics/programs/special-education/index
Pursuing a master’s degree in special education can lead to a rewarding and challenging career working with children who have special educational needs. Most who earn this degree will work in a public school setting, while some will also work in community clinics, private schools or non-profit organizations. Enrolling in Master’s in Special Education Degree Programs in Texas is the first step towards making a difference in the lives of children who have developmental disabilities or other special educational needs.
