Graduate Studies

Special Education


Program Description

The Master of Science in Special Education is designed to further professional skills in the areas of Special Education and related research. The program focus is to understand advanced concepts, critically review research, and apply these concepts and research to the professional practice through ongoing, systematic professional development.

A student may choose to study a specific area of disability in one of the licensure areas, such as Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, Physical and Health Disabilities or Early Childhood Special Education. Another option is for the student to take more generic coursework that provides for a broad background in special education.


Admission Requirements

  1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. Minimum of one year documented, successful PreK-Grade 12 experience as a licensed teacher OR an undergraduate degree in education. Applicants with a comparable work experience and/or a related degree will be considered on an individual basis as determined by the department's graduate faculty. Information on specific requirements for individuals with a related degree or comparable work experience is available through the Special Education Graduate Coordinator.
  3. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall or 3.25 in the last 30 semester credits of course work.
  4. Completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study form.
  5. Undergraduate and other transcripts sent directly from the institution to the Graduate Studies Office.
  6. Non-refundable $20.00 fee for first-time applicants to Minnesota State University Moorhead.
  7. Score on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) of 380 or above or combined score of 800 or above on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Only official scores are accepted; no more than five years old.


Degree Requirements

The degree is offered with a thesis (Plan A) or project (Plan B) option. The thesis option requires the writing of a thesis and a minimum of 30 total graduate credits. The project option requires a final project and a minimum of 32 total graduate credits. Either option leads to the Master of Science in Special Education.

Additional Requirements:

  1. 3.0 grade point average required for courses submitted for the degree.
  2. Written comprehensive examination.
  3. Oral examination of thesis or project by committee.

Detailed information on these requirements and department policies and procedures may be obtained from the Special Education Graduate Program Coordinator. Further information on degree requirements may be found in:

General Degree Requirements


M.S. Degree in Special Education

An individualized program of study will be developed by the student and advisor. The plan should include the following coursework:
SPED 620 Perspectives and Policies in Special Education (3)
SPED 664 Theory and Process of Consultation (2)
SPED 699 Thesis (4)
  OR SPED 697 Project (2)
ED 602 Statistics in Educational Research (2)
ED 603 Methods of Research (2)
  OR ED 605 Single Subject and Small Group Research Design (2)
  OR ED 611 Introduction to Qualitative Research (2)

At least 13 graduate credits of electives in Special Education for the thesis option and at least 17 graduate credits in Special Education for the project option.

A concentration of at least 4 graduate credits in a related area.

17 of the total credits on the program of study must be at the 600 level.

A maximum of four credits of practicum. Only 600 level practicum may apply to the MS degree.

Students who wish to transfer credits from other institutions or have taken coursework before admission to the graduate program should refer to the "Residence and Transfer of Credit" section for further information.


Request Additional Information

Program information:

Application information:
Special Education Graduate Program
Minnesota State University Moorhead
1104 7th Ave. S.
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-2554
e-mail: fergub@mnstate.edu		 Graduate Studies Office
Minnesota State University Moorhead
1104 7th Ave. S.
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-2344
e-mail:  graduate@mnstate.edu
Application for Admission to Graduate Study