Applications for MA and Certificate Programs are reviewed on a rolling basis
Welcome to Special Education!
The College of Education’s School of Teacher Preparation, Administration and Leadership (TPAL) offers a Master of Arts in Special Education, a Graduate Certificate in Autism, and a Graduate Minor in Special Education.
Catalog information: SPED Catalog Information
Programs
Master of Arts in Special Education
There are several options for the Masters of Arts in Education:Listed below are the MA programs offered. The programs include:
- Master of Arts in Special Education (preparation for an Initial License in Special Education)
- Master of Arts in Special Education (preparation for a Second License, in Special Education, for those who already have an initial license in General Education)
- Master of Arts in Special Education (preparation using the Alternative Licensure in Special Education process)
- Master of Arts in Special Education (a Scholarly route for those who are not seeking licensure or who already have a license and are seeking additional depth of knowledge)
- Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairment (preparation for licensure in teaching school-aged children/infants/toddlers and/or orientation and mobility)
Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Autism (can be pursued separately or in combination with another program) ONLINE
Graduate Minor in SPED
- A minor in special education requires 9 credits of graduate coursework that carries the SPED prefix. Official minor documentation must be completed with the School of Teacher Preparation, Administration and Leadership. An example of the three courses (choose three of the four) can be: SPED 500 (Intro to SPED), SPED 506 (High Incidence Disabilities in a Diverse Society), SPED 507 (Low Incidence Disabilities in a Diverse Society), and SPED 585 (Intro to Autism).
Currently, this program is being offered exclusively online. Although this program has both an NMSU Global and an NMSU Main Campus designation, program coursework is currently offered online only.
Admission
Admission to the specialization programs is based on the evaluation of a portfolio of materials that includes:
- Undergraduate GPA
- Graduate GPA (if applicable)
- Academic Transcripts
- A resume or academic vita
- A one-page letter of interest in which the candidate cites relevant background experiences and personal motives for applying to the program
- Email addresses for three individuals who can provide professional letters of reference
- Other optional materials (as available) such as samples of writing, evidence of scholarship, indication of membership in a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate programs, or extenuating factors highlighted by applicants in their letters of interest
