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Go A Step Further in Your Teaching Journey

MA IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

Our MA in Special Education with an Additional License

Already an experienced teacher? If you hold a tier III license, the University of St. Thomas School of Education makes it easy to earn your Master of Arts Degree in Special Education, while also earning an additional SPED license. Whether you are an existing special education teacher looking to earn an MA and another SPED license, or a general education teacher looking to earn your first SPED license, our School of Education has a degree pathway for you. All candidates in our MA in Special Education Program will earn both an MA and SPED license. And better yet, our 5 award-winning concentrations can all be completed online.

Regional Low Incidence tuition support is available for additional special education licensure. Alumni discount of 15% is also available.

Learn more about our degree offerings and course requirements below:

Where you'll learn:

On campus (Minneapolis or St. Paul), Metro Locations, Online

When to start:

Year round

Contact

Barbara Jo Stahl

Adjunct Faculty, Off-campus Coordinator
Phone Number
(651) 962-4398

Concentrations

Educators who are Academic Behavioral Strategists (ABS) evaluate and specially design instruction for children and youth from kindergarten through age 21. They work to assist children and youth with mild to moderate needs in the areas of academics, behavior, social, emotional, communication and functional performance. These students come from the primary disability areas of autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders, other health disabilities and learning disabilities.


Educators specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) work toward discovering the ways that ASD challenges a student in communication, socialization and behaviors, and affect a student's thinking and perceiving, sensory processing, and motor, vocational, academic and organizational skills.


Educators specializing in Developmental Disabilities (DD) provide personalized instruction using skills in assessing intellectual ability, adaptive behavior, academic achievement and functional skills while collaboratively designing effective instruction that promotes interdependence, productivity and inclusion in the community.


Educators specializing in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) learn to assess and provide instruction for children ages birth through six with motor, sensory, health, communication, social-emotional or cognitive disabilities. We emphasize working as collaborative team members with families and other professionals so that children with disabilities can thrive in their natural environments.


Educators specializing in Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) teach students whose emotional and/or behavioral disabilities interfere with their acquisition of academic, vocational and social skills. Educators gain skills in differentiating instruction, assessing challenging behavior and implementing effective classroom management and positive behavioral support.


FACULTY

Headshot of Dr. Shelley Neilsen Gatti

Dr. Shelley Neilsen Gatti

Shelley is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education in the School of Education. Shelley started at the University of St. Thomas in 2006 after working in Minneapolis Public Schools for six years. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 2001 in Educational Psychology, Special Education.

READ ABOUT DR. SHELLEY NEILSEN GATTI
Headshot of Dr. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan

Dr. L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan

Lynn is the parent of a young adult with autism and she coordinates the autism spectrum disorders certificate, license and master's program. Lynn earned her Ph.D. in Urban Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2007). She received a Masters degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Special Education and her undergraduate degree from Purdue University.

READ ABOUT DR. L. LYNN STANSBERRY BRUSNAHAN
Headshot of Bonnie Ingelin

Bonnie Ingelin

Bonnie Ingelin, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Special Education. She coordinates the Early Childhood Special Education Program.

READ ABOUT DR. BONNIE INGELIN
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Online Information Sessions Available

Join us for an online information session to learn more about all the ways you can pursue your Special Education licensure or degree.

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Getting Noticed for Excellence

Top Pick

PreSchoolTeacher.org named the University of St. Thomas MA in Early Childhood Special Education among the best ITP Master's in Early Childhood Education for 2020-21.

Additional Opportunities

  • Ongoing Professional Development
  • Mentored Clinical Practice
  • Community Partnerships
  • Ongoing Professional Development

    The Department of Special Education and Gifted Education offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities throughout the year.

    Mentored Clinical Practice

    The dedicated faculty in the Special Education and Gifted Education programs will work with you to ensure that your clinical practice experience (student teaching) will surpass your expectations.

    Community Partnerships

    Students in the School of Education find many opportunities for professional growth as a result of working with community organizations.

    Ongoing Professional Development

    The Department of Special Education and Gifted Education offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities throughout the year.

    Mentored Clinical Practice

    The dedicated faculty in the Special Education and Gifted Education programs will work with you to ensure that your clinical practice experience (student teaching) will surpass your expectations.

    Community Partnerships

    Students in the School of Education find many opportunities for professional growth as a result of working with community organizations.