Special Education: The Master Teacher
MA
Master's degree in special education
You've already proven your commitment to students with disabilities. Now, take the next step with our Master's in Special Education. This program will give you advanced skills in teaching and leadership, helping you excel in your career and classroom. With hands-on projects and real-world experience, you'll be ready to make a real difference in students' lives.
AT A GLANCE
Special education pathways at CMU
Picture yourself as a strong advocate, guiding and supporting students with disabilities at every stage of their lives. Our program will help expand your skills and knowledge to new areas of special education.
We also offer several pathways for obtaining special education certification and endorsements in the State of Michigan.
- If you are a certified teacher and are interested in an initial or additional special education endorsement, we offer pathways for earning endorsements in autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment and specific learning disability.
- If you are seeking initial certification, we offer an expedited pathway for those with bachelor’s degrees to earn a standard teaching certificate with a cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorder or specific learning disability endorsement. These pathway will prepare to you to teach students with disabilities K-12 in the State of Michigan.
- If you are seeking to earn your bachelor's degree, we offer a pathway where you can obtain a non-teaching bachelor’s degree that is paired with accelerated admission to the MA-SPE. The MA-SPE is a fully online graduate degree that leads to K-12 special education certification.
Contact CMU Online for information on these pathways to special education certification and endorsement at onlineprograms@cmich.edu or 989-774-4371 and 800-950-1144.
Master's degree in special education program highlights
As a student in this program, you'll join the ranks of thousands of CMU-educated teachers.
- Gain real-world experience: Combine your coursework with real-world experience through hands-on clinical training before you graduate. To partake in clinical experience, an iChat is required.
- Accredited program: CMU's Educator Preparation Programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
- Certifications and pathways: This program is available to individuals who hold PreK-12 general or special education certification. Pathways toward initial special education certification are available for those without certification.
To get certified in special education in Michigan, you need to complete an 8-week (initial endorsement) or 180-hour clinical experience (additional endorsements). You can complete this experience in your own classroom if you have eligible students under the endorsement area you are seeking. If not, we can help secure a placement for you. After passing the Michigan Test for Certification (MTTC) and finishing coursework, we'll recommend you for certification and endorsement.
Jobs in education
CMU-trained educators teach in schools across Michigan. We've been a leader in teacher education since 1892. You will have the opportunity to put your master's degree in special education to good use.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Education Teacher | $65,910 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,680 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,290 |
The Literacy Center
Founded in 2015 with support from generous donors, The Literacy Center at CMU serves teachers and students in the region and throughout the state through efforts to support literacy learning for all, from early childhood through adolescence.
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