Program Admission

The graduate student seeking admission to the Master of Arts degree program in the Special Education Department is required to:

1. Meet the Graduate School admission requirements;
2. Present a valid teaching certificate. Students who do not have a teaching certificate must complete requirements as outlined in the SEM-T program.
3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.7 as an undergraduate (including “last-half GPA”) or 3.0 in graduate-level coursework (degree or non-degree) or receive acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
4. Submit two references (name and contact information);
5. Be recommended for acceptance by a faculty member (this may involve a personal interview); and
6. In the case of international students, provide a score of 90 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB).
7. Personal statement from the applicant;

Admissions and program requirements for Master of Arts programs in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) , Learning Disabilities (LD) , and Speech-Language Pathology (SPLP)  are described separately.

Department Information

Special Education, College of Education

David Winters, Ph.D. | Department Head | 128 Porter | 734.487.3300 | david.winters@emich.edu

Advisor Information

Graduate Coordinator

Derrick Fries, Ph.D. | 106 Porter | 734.487.2720 | dfries@emich.edu

Contact the Graduate Coordinator for information concerning admissions and programs of study

Faculty Advisor

Please contact the department for advisor information

Program Requirements

The graduate student seeking a Master of Arts degree through the Special Education Department must:

1. Complete a minimum of 33 to 37 hours of approved graduate credit with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
2. Complete an approved master’s degree program that has been planned with a special education graduate advisor;
3. Complete the degree requirements within six years of enrolling for the first course applicable to the degree program;
4. Receive a recommendation from the area faculty committee for continuance in the program. This is done upon completion of 12 to 15 hours of courses, and before the internship/practicum. The committee will consider GPA, faculty recommendations, demonstrated competence in academic and professional work, and rate of progress in the program.
5. Meet all other requirements of the Graduate School.

Exit Requirements

Exit criteria involve achievement of the objectives for graduate study in special education listed previously, as demonstrated by:

1. Successful completion of all coursework on the program (minimum GPA of 3.0);
2. Successful completion of required practica/internship; and
3. Successful completion of a thesis, if pursuing the thesis option, or other culminating experience, which may include but not be limited to comprehensive oral or written examination, portfolio or other product, performance or exhibit.

Degree Requirements: 33-37 hours