University of Wyoming Logo

Special Education

Master of Arts (M.A.) Concentration

Online

Apply Now Request Info

Teacher reading book

Continue Your Education at UW

As a special education teacher, you will change lives. From teaching students with behavioral challenges to working with assistive technologies to engage youth with learning differences, you will help students make small—and bold—leaps toward reaching their potential.

In UW’s special education Master of Arts program, you will learn best practices for providing services to students with disabilities while also acquiring an understanding of special education law, assistive technologies, and collaborating with regular classroom teachers to work with students of all abilities.

Program Details

Tuition and Fees

Please visit our cost of attendance page

Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Education
School of Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy and Design

About Special Education

All over the country, including Wyoming, school districts face serious shortages of special education teachers. Not only does this create job opportunities, but it also provides a tremendous opportunity for educators to build deeply meaningful, fulfilling careers.

The online UW Master of Education with a concentration in special education is a generalist program that will prepare you to work with K-12 students across a range of special needs, qualifying you to apply for a teaching endorsement in K-12 special education from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board.

UW’s special education master’s degree can also serve as a path to doctoral-level study.

Questions? 
Speak with our program coordinator Tiffany Hunt (thunt@uwyo.edu)!

Teacher observing students
Kids playing with lights

Application Deadline

  • June 15 - Fall semesters
  • Septmeber 15 - Spring semesters

Admission Requirements

  • K-12 teaching certificate from the United States

Domestic Students

  • GPA: 3.25
  • GRE: no requirement

International Students

  • TOEFL: 550 minimum written or 80 minimum online, OR IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
  • GRE: 900/291 minimum

How to Apply
Please visit our program admission webpage for more details.

Teacher helping student

Take these classes as a special education master’s degree candidate:

  • Special Education Law
  • Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
  • Teaching Students with Severe to Low Incidence Disabilities
  • Positive Behavior Support and Management
  • Assessment
  • Assistive Technology

View the full master of arts in education with a special education concentration curriculum.

 

Online Learning At UW

The University of Wyoming offers an extensive selection of fully online and hybrid programs in addition to the online Education, M.A., Special Education concentration. These programs are on par with our on-campus programs in every significant aspect, with equivalent learning expectations and the same accreditation. Additionally, we understand that online learners have distinct requirements, and we are committed to delivering a range of academic and student resources specifically designed to support your success during your time at UW and beyond graduation.

 

uw online

What Can You Do with a Special Education Master’s Degree?

Your graduate degree program in special education positions you to take your place in a K-12 setting working with exceptional children.

Graduates from our program go on to become special education teachers, specialists and leaders in their schools and districts as well as pursue Ed.D. and Ph.D.-level degrees.

Special Education Careers

UW School of Teacher Education graduates hold titles such as:

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Special Education Coordinator
  • Special Education Case Manager/Resource Teacher
Kids raising hands

 

Opportunities abound: There are over 900 special education teachers employed in Wyoming's 48 districts

 

mountain logo

Special Education Master’s Degree Program Highlights

The UW special education master’s program makes it possible for you to earn a master’s degree and qualify for a special education teaching endorsement at the same time.

Here are some additional reasons to consider the UW program:

Online Convenience

Complete your classes wherever you may be through online and video-conferencing technologies with courses delivered by UW Online and Continuing Education.

Assistive Technology

Become familiar with how to assess and use assistive technologies to help students succeed.

Accredited

Choose an accredited program. UW’s College of Education is nationally accredited by by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). In addition, the special education master’s degree adheres to the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Professional Preparation Standards.

 

 

Experiential Learning

Acquire practical skills that align with the Council for Exceptional Children standards and that follow the Wyoming Teaching Standards for Special Education Certification. Practica are completed in your current school or in schools in your community.

 

 

Disability Studies

Utilize the resources of the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) whose mission is to promote the inclusion, independence and social participation of individuals with developmental and other disabilities and their families.

Special Education Director Endorsement

You can gain the Special Education Director endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) if you have earned a masters from UW in either educational leadership or special education AND at least a graduate certificate from UW in either educational leadership or special education.

Online Resources

Students in UW at a Distance courses can access resources to ensure their academic success and wellness while studying online.

Assistantships

Apply for a graduate assistantship, which offers full-time, on-campus students with faculty research opportunities, college-level teaching experiences and stipends.

Faculty

Study and conduct research alongside faculty who are experts in disability law, IEP development, specialized instruction in mathematics, universal design for learning and technology enabled personalized learning.

Scholarships

Look into relevant UW scholarships such as:

Ace Cossairt Scholarship
Donald and Dorothy Bird Scholarship
Eleanor R. “Rusty” Rowland Memorial Scholarship
Relaxation Foundation Donald R. Austin Student Scholarship Fund
Silver Symbol Circle of Kings Scholarship

 

The special education master's program at the University of Wyoming was outstanding. This distance program allowed me to study in Los Angeles and receive valuable knowledge online. The program is rigorous and informative. Attaining this degree helped me to easily find a job in an area I desired. I would recommend this program to anyone considering it.

- Olivia Spanos, M.A. ’19

Related Programs

UW also offers these relevant programs:

Apply to UW
Request Info
UW Online