Master of Special Education at Drexel University

Drexel University

United States of America, Philadelphia

University Rank:#711

Drexel University offers the Master of Special Education as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Philadelphia, United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for special education and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on September 26, 2027.

About Master of Special Education

The Master of Science in Special Education program is intended for those interested in gaining greater skills and expertise in special education and/or acquire a teaching certificate in the area of special education.

The courses address all required state and federal regulations as well as the Pennsylvania General Standards for Special Education and the competencies and standards outline by the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC). Graduates seeking Pennsylvania special education certification must either have an active Pennsylvania Instructional I or II teaching certificate or select the initial certification concentration to gain eligibility while in the program.

The Master of Science in Special Education prepares professionals who are equipped with the fundamental skills, knowledge, and competencies they need to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The program is a flexible, part-time graduate program consisting of a minimum of 48.0 credits: 27.0 credits in core special education certification courses, a minimum of 12.0 credits in concentration courses*, and 9.0 credits in capstone research*. Most courses have a field component that has the student apply what they are learning to classroom experiences.

Available Concentrations

Autism Spectrum Disorders
Within the past decade, the number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder has increased drastically. Consequently, the need for professionals trained in this specialized area has significantly increased. This concentration is designed for those who seek additional expertise in this critical need area. It will provide knowledge and skills for working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as effective teaching methods, interventions, and supports. Students who have an active PA Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate are eligible to apply for the PA Autism Spectrum Disorders endorsement upon completion of EDEX 555 and the concentration courses.

Collaborative Special Education Law and Process
Meeting the needs of children with disabilities through school-family-community collaboration is an ambitious goal of educational policy in the United States. An implementing objective is to develop highly qualified special education teachers and administrators in schools and the community, as well as to offer special education collaborative knowledge and practical skills training to parents and advocates. Their cooperative partnership is imperative to support the provisions for the successful learning of all students as incorporated and mandated in legislation such as Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).

Dyslexia Specialist
It is estimated that up to 20% of school age children experience difficulty with some aspect of literacy. This course sequence gives teachers the necessary skills to provide direct instruction in a multisensory, phonetic-based program to students with decoding deficits. With successful completion of the coursework, students are eligible for WILSON^® Level 1 Certification. The Wilson Reading System^® is recognized nationwide and is a highly desirable certification to have in special education.

Special Education Leadership
The courses in the Special Education Leadership concentration focus on change, finance, evaluation and assessment, and technology. Students must complete all courses and meet the prerequisite standards established by the PA Department of Education for recommendation for the PA supervisor of special education certification.

Applied Behavior Analysis
The ABA concentration prepares candidates with the background and knowledge related to applying behavior therapies in schools with a focus on behavior assessment, intervention, and consultation.

Social Emotional Behavioral Wellness
Social Emotional Learning is an empirically based approach to the non-academic barriers that students face in order to achieve a set of positive goals. Research shows that 1 in 5 students will experience some type of mental health issue during their time in school. This certificate is designed to help teachers and prospective teachers learn how to create positive classroom environments and how to execute evidence-based, age-appropriate strategies to foster social, emotional, and behavior wellness in PreK-12 students within a multi-tiered system of support. Students who have an active PA Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate are eligible to apply for the PA Social Emotional Behavioral endorsement.

*Students may take coursework to obtain a Pennsylvania teaching certificate while in the program. Students choosing this option will take core education courses in lieu of the concentration and capstone courses.

Additional Information

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Special Education at Drexel University

Entry Requirements

Transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.

Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.

If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.

Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.

International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to [email protected]. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.

If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Standardized Test Scores

GRE test scores are not required.

Test of English as a Foreign Language

International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 80/550/213), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 53) unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.

Essay

Please write an essay describing your career goals, including specific research and scholarly interests. Please be sure to indicate how your interests coincide with those of particular School of Education Faculty members.

Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.

Résumé

Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.

Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.

Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Recommenders should be able to speak to your academic performance.

Interview

Virtual, in-person, or telephone interview required for qualified applicants.

Academic Experience

Admission to this program requires a minimum 3.25 GPA (a 3.5 is preferred).

Writing Sample

Please submit a sample of scholarly writing, including but not limited to published articles, theses, or term papers, by mail or email as an attachment to [email protected].

Mailing Addresses

By Postal Mail

Drexel University
Application Processing
PO Box 34789
Philadelphia, PA 19101-4789

By Express Courier

(DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Drexel University
Application Processing
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2876

English Requirements

PTEMin 53
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 80

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Special Education at Drexel University

Application Fee 65

How to Apply for Master of Special Education at Drexel University

1. Review Your Program's Requirements and Application Deadlines

It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials required for the evaluation of your application are received by the Office of Admissions before the deadline. If your application is not complete by your program's deadline date, it may not be evaluated for the term requested.

Individual programs have specific deadlines and requirements. Please review your program's requirements and deadlines before beginning your application.

If you are a returning student who has previously enrolled in graduate coursework at Drexel University, please refer to the readmission instructions for requirements. Non-matriculated applicants should refer to the graduate application process.

2. Read the Application Instructions

Please review the graduate application process, and be sure to submit all required materials before your application deadline.

3. Complete Your Application

Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party.

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4. Submit Your Supplemental Materials

Refer to the program requirements and deadlines for program-specific requirements.

5. Apply for Financial Assistance

Visit Drexel Central to learn how to apply for financial assistance. Drexel's Federal School Code is 003256.

6. Check Your Application Status

After your admission application has been processed, you will receive an email that gives you access to the Discover Drexel portal to check the status of your application.

6. تحقق من حالة التطبيق الخاص بك

Master of Special Education at Drexel University

Drexel University

United States of America, Philadelphia