M.S.Ed. in Special Education

The Graduate Studies Office will accept unofficial transcripts and self-reported test scores for admission reviews. Any admission made with these documents would be conditioned on receipt of official documents, which should be provided as soon as possible.

Note: If you are currently enrolled or have applied in the past year, you should qualify for an application fee waiver. Click here for criteria and how to obtain the waiver.

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
2. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 out of 4.00
3. Completed online application that includes:
   • Personal statement
   • Resume (required from international students only)
   • Two letters of recommendation
   • GRE scores (required from international applicants only)
   • Minimum 79 TOEFL score or minimum 6.5 IELTS score (international students only)

Learn more about how to apply

• M.S.Ed. in Special Education (Online) Program Requirements

Per credit hour

Find more information and calculate your expected costs at Student Central.

Below is a list of potential resources for graduate students. Note: graduate assistantships are generally intended for students studying and working on the Bloomington campus.

• Learn about the variety of fellowships and assistantships available to graduate students.
• Visit Student Central for information about financial assistance.
• Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.
• Active duty military, veterans, and military families should visit the Center for Veteran and Military Students to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

The M.S.Ed. in Special Education requires completion of 36 credit hours. The requirements listed below are the minimum requirements for the M.S.Ed. Individuals who want to add licensure or obtain initial licensure in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention should refer to the respective program sheets for additional course requirements. 

1. M.S.Ed. in Special Education without Licensure
   This is the traditional master’s degree program and is intended for individuals who have:
   • Earned a bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited postsecondary educational institution and have a current practitioner license in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention (or equivalent out-of-state special education licensure/certification), OR
   • Earned a bachelor’s degree (in or outside of education) from an accredited postsecondary educational institution and want to learn about the field of special education, but do not want to obtain a practitioner license in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention.
2. M.S.Ed. in Special Education with License Addition in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention
   This option is intended for individuals who currently possess a non-special education practitioner license at the elementary (K-6), secondary (5-12) or preschool through grade 12 (P-12) level. Individuals obtain a master’s degree in special education and can add licensure in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention to their current practitioner license. The license addition is added at the same instructional level (K-6, 5-12, or P-12) on the individual’s current practitioner license. Individuals who wish to pursue this option must apply for both the M.S.Ed. in Special Education AND the Graduate License Addition in Special Education: Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention.
3. M.S.Ed. in Special Education with Initial License in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention
   This option is intended for individuals who want to obtain a master’s degree in special education and an initial practitioner license in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention at the secondary level (grades 5-12). This track is also appropriate for individuals who are currently teaching and possess an emergency permit in Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention. This track requires participation in the graduate Community of Teachers (CoT) program, which incorporates field-based seminars, a portfolio, and field experiences to prepare students to teach individuals with mild/high-incidence disabilities. Individuals who are not currently teaching on an emergency permit complete field experiences with an experienced special education teacher and complete 12 weeks of student teaching in special education. Individuals who are currently teaching and possess an emergency permit complete their field experiences in their employment setting. Individuals who wish to pursue this optionmust apply for both the M.S.Ed. in Special Education AND the Graduate-Level CoT Initial License in Special Education: Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention program.