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All Master's & Doctoral Programs
MA

Special Education

Format & Location

Hybrid

School/College

School of Education & Human Development
Two students sit on a bench indoors.

Start Dates

Spring (January), Summer (May), and Fall (September)

Application Deadline

Rolling Admission

Completion

24-30 months

Schedule

Full-Time or Part-Time

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The Master of Arts degree in Special Education teaches individuals to apply specialized support to students with challenges through educational, social, cognitive, rehabilitative, and behavioral management approaches.

What You'll Learn and Do

Take advantage of flexible study options.

The graduate candidates for master's degree and sixth-year certificate of advanced study (SYC) programs may choose one of several sequences of study that provide the preparation required by the Connecticut State Department of Higher Education, the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the Council for Exceptional Children.

Have a paid internship.

Paid teaching internships are available in the spring and fall semesters, offering practical, hands-on experience in real classroom settings while you complete your studies. Learn more about internships and professional development at the School of Education and Human Development today.

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Course Requirements

MA Special Education

30-46 credits

Contact Us

Graduate Admission
gradadmis@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4184

Video Poster

Special Education Program at Fairfield

See where a Master's Degree in Special Education from Fairfield will get you.

Accreditations

CAEP Accredited Provider

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

The School of Education and Human Development is currently accredited by NCATE, currently known as CAEP, the largest accrediting body for educator preparation providers, through December 2028.

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Learn From Industry Experts

Fairfield’s award-winning faculty have deep expertise in teaching special education. You’ll benefit from their firsthand insights and guidance in the field of teaching as you earn your master’s degree in special education.

View All Faculty

Emily Shamash
Emily Shamash
Associate Professor/Co-Director of Special Education

Admission Information

From your first admission conversation to graduation and beyond, you’ll find support at every turn. The Fairfield University student support network is dedicated to meeting your needs. You’ll receive personal, academic, and financial guidance as you complete your degree in special education.

My decision to return to Fairfield University for the 5th Year Graduate Degree program in Special Education was one of the best decisions I have made. Having experienced the supportive and engaging environment as an undergraduate student, I knew that Fairfield’s School of Education and Human Development would provide me with a high-quality education while allowing me to be part of an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative community.

– Madison Povemba, MA '23

Madison Povemba, dressed in white, and smiling at the camera after convocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you are ready to apply, you can create an online application. Please plan to spend about 10 - 15 minutes completing the application. You can create the application and return to the platform in the future to submit it if you require additional time. You should be prepared to answer a series of questions about your biographical information, program of interest, and educational/ work background. Additionally, you will be required to enter the names and contact information of two references. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit all official college transcripts (sent directly from your institutions), two recommendations (submitted directly from your references who will receive a unique email link), a personal statement, resume, and test scores (required for programs leading to state certification).

Please note that you may submit the online application before submitting the required supplemental materials. For any questions about the online application please contact Fairfield University Graduate Admission.

For more information, visit the application requirements here. For further questions, our Office of Graduate Admissions is available to explain the application requirements and to help you get your application together. You may contact them at gradadmis@fairfield.edu or by calling (203) 254-4184.

Applicants need to provide documentation of scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam, or if they meet the minimum score requirements for the SAT, ACT, or GRE, a waiver based on appropriate scores would fulfill that requirement

Our program is designed to meet the learning needs of full and part-time students

Most of our courses are offered from Monday - Thursday in the late afternoon and evening. A few are offered on the weekends. Weekday courses generally meet once a week for 2 hours. Weekend courses tend to be full-day courses that meet for 4 or 5 weekends or weekend days over the semester. We also offer summer courses from late May through early August.

We keep our classes small. The typical maximum class size is 20, but class sizes range from 12 to 20.

Students who already hold a teaching certificate in another state-approved area are eligible for the cross-endorsement in special education. Please contact the program director for more information.

Students who attend full-time take 9 credits each Fall and Spring semester and up to 6 credits in the summer sessions. For full-time students who start in the Fall semester, the program can be completed in about 2 years. For students who attend part-time, the time will vary based on how many courses are taken at a time. Students are required, however, to complete their degree within 6 years after they begin their first course.

Our financial aid office can best answer that question for you. You may reach them by phoning (203) 254-4125 or by emailing them.

Our graduate assistantships provide tuition credit for work. Please see the Graduate Assistantships page for more information.

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    Fairfield, CT 06824

  • (203) 254-4000

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