Master of Special Education at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston

University Rank:#384

The Special Education at Northeastern University is a Master program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered hybrid across its Boston and Online campuses in United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 2 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on January 1, 2027.

About Master of Special Education

Adding special education to your professional portfolio opens doors to working with new groups of students in meaningful ways. The Master of Education in Special Education degree program will prepare you to anticipate and meet the needs of a broad range of students with specialized learning needs.

This program is designed for teachers or aspiring teachers who have already earned an initial license as an elementary or secondary teacher and want to help children with a broad range of learning needs reach their full potential. Your fellow students are professional and aspiring teachers who share a passion to deepen their knowledge of educational theory and practice, while learning the latest ways to improve special education.

The Master of Education in Special Education degree meets the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards and competencies for initial licensure as a teacher of students with moderate disabilities, pre-K-8, and 5-12.

More Details

Unique Features

Curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and real-world application of theory
Students create an ePortfolio to document their progress toward program and professional goals and illustrate their distinct abilities to employers
Benefit from an international network to leverage personally and professionally
Boston location, on flagship campus in a city known as a hub of education and innovation

Program Objectives

Hone the skills and disposition to educate and inspire children with specialized learning needs
Develop a conceptual framework to effectively advocate for the educational rights of all children
Examine the impact of local, national, and global changes on policy and practice for special education
Learn to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for the broad and varied range of student learning and behavioral style

The Master of Education in Special Education allows licensed educators to enhance their professional portfolios and gain experience teaching and supporting students with specialized learning needs.

Curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and real-world application of theory
Students create an ePortfolio to document their progress toward program and professional goals and illustrate their distinct abilities to employers
Benefit from an international network to leverage personally and professionally
Boston location, on flagship campus in a city known as a hub of education and innovation

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

Entry Requirements

Online application
Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
Professional resumé
Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores

Teacher's license; Initial or professional level: provide a copy of license

English Requirements

PTEMin 76
IELTSMin 8
TOEFLMin 108

English Program Requirements

Northeastern students will be exposed to not only a rigorous academic environment but also a fast-paced experiential one. In order to be successful in both, all first-year and transfer applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English to be considered for admission to Northeastern.

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
- C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

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

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Special Education at Northeastern University

1.Create your application
Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.
2.Submit all required materials
Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.
3.Check your application status
Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.

Master of Special Education at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston