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Create an Inclusive Classroom for Exceptional Learners With Webster’s Master of Arts in Special Education
Webster University’s Master of Arts in Special Education helps you advance your career in just three years while maintaining your teaching schedule. You’ll advocate for children with disabilities and learn strategies that you can immediately implement in your classroom. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to lead in the classroom or community and make a real difference for exceptional learners.
Our program is designed for practicing educators, advocates and other professionals interested in deepening their knowledge of teaching and advocating for individuals with special learning needs. You’ll build on your experience with a focused curriculum that incorporates essential special education competencies, like advocacy, assessment and program development. In addition to our core Master’s in Special Education requirements, you’ll choose an emphasis area to align with your personal and professional goals.
Customize Your Degree
Our Master of Arts in Special Education allows you to choose a personalized learning experience by specializing in unique areas of study:
- Applied Behavior Analysis: Learn to improve academic and adaptive behaviors of persons with autism spectrum disorder, significant disabilities and other developmental disabilities. This emphasis will also prepare you to apply and sit for the board-certified Behavior Analyst® Examination.
- Mild/Moderate Disabilities: Develop proficiency in teaching students with mild/moderate disabilities and acquire foundational knowledge in preparation for an endorsement in mild/moderate disabilities: cross-categorical (*this emphasis offered in person).
- Specialized Approaches for Exceptional Learners: Build expertise in working with, advocating for or instructing students with special learning needs and gain a specialized understanding of specific student populations and instructional approaches.
Choose Webster for a Master of Arts in Special Education
Expert Faculty Mentors
Our faculty are experienced global leaders in special education who actively conduct research and present at professional conferences. They share their experience in the classroom to enhance your learning experience, and provide access to their global professional network for additional learning and career opportunities.
Modern Curriculum
We ensure our Master’s in Special Education courses are designed to meet current field practice by aligning with the most recent Council for Exceptional Children’s standards. Additionally, we collect data from our alumni and students to ensure our Master's in Special Education requirements meet workforce demands for those working with exceptional learners.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
As a graduate student in Special Education, you’ll complete class projects that are directly tied to your classroom practice. In addition, you’ll complete an applied field research project as part of our Master’s in Special Education requirements that focuses on specific student interventions or classroom initiatives to improve your teaching.
Graduate Scholarships
We’re proud to offer scholarships to our graduate education students, including Webster’s Grad to Grad Scholarship and the School of Education Master’s Alumni scholarship.
Explore the Program
Master of Arts in Special Education
Find out more about the overall Master’s in Special Education courses, program info, learning outcomes and more.
Program Details
Explore our catalog for more details about our Master’s in Special Education requirements and special education courses for the core curriculum and emphases areas.
Locations
Our Special Education program is designed for teachers’ busy schedules, with Master’s in Special Education courses offered online or in a hybrid format or classes in person in St. Louis.
Student Perspective
"I was able to apply what I was learning in my courses when interacting with my students. Faculty was understanding that I was a full-time student, teacher and parent, and my advisor worked with me to help me be successful."
Jennie Danaher
Master of Arts in Special Education, ’22
What Can You Do with a Master of Arts in Special Education?
Adding a Webster’s Special Education master’s to your existing experience can help you advance your career. You’ll gain expertise in curriculum, advocacy and collaboration that will equip you for a leadership role within your current school or district, or allow you to explore new educational opportunities. Some of our graduates have used their Webster education to advocate for people with disabilities in community organizations.
Career Outlook for Special Education Teachers
Jobs in special education are expected to grow by 8% over the next decade, adding almost 500,000 new jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, there is a considerable shortage of teachers in the special education field, according to the American Association for Employment in Education 2020-21 Supply and Demand Report. You can feel confident knowing that earning your graduate degree will be a worthwhile investment.
Salaries for Master’s in Special Education Graduates
Special education teachers can typically expect a salary boost after they earn a master’s degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicates special education teachers earn, on average, over $60,000 a year. Salaries vary depending on your location and specific experience, but earning your master’s will help strengthen your skills as an educator and help you stand out in the job market.
Get Started on Special Education Graduate Degree
Take the next step toward earning your Master of Arts in Special Education. We are here to help you get started.
Explore
Learn more about our academic programs and our main campus and locations.
Engage
Connect with our admissions counselors and academic advisors.
Apply
Apply to Webster and take the next steps for financial aid and scholarships.
Contact the Admissions Office to Find Out More
If you have more questions about the program, your application or other enrollment-related inquiries, contact our Admissions Office.
Call 314-246-7800 or 800-753-6765 or send an email to admit@webster.edu.