What is the degree name?

The degree title is Master of Arts in Special Education. The program is listed as Special Education (Online Program) (Masters) in the MSU application portal.

When is the application deadline?

Our annual application deadlines are:

• Feb. 1 for Summer Semester admission (classes start in May)
• June 1 for Fall Semester admission (classes start in late August)
• Oct. 1 for Spring Semester admission (classes start in January)

How long is the program? Can you complete it on a part-time basis?

The Master of Arts in Special Education is designed to be completed within approximately two years of matriculation, though full-time versus part-time status will affect the length of the program because many courses are offered only once a year.

What is the average course load per semester?

Typically students take two courses (six credits) per semester. A helpful rule of thumb is to devote at least two hours per credit outside of class, in addition to the online contact hours for the course. This means an estimated six to nine hours per week per three-credit course.

Do you require the GRE test and if so what scores do you need?

No, the GRE is not required for admission into the M.A. Special Education program.

Do I need a teaching license to be in the special education program?

Yes, you need a teaching license to be in the M.A. Special Education program.

When are admissions decisions made?

Typically, you will hear from us 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.

What has the greatest weight in terms of all the application materials?

There is a common misconception that there is one factor over all others that we emphasize in the evaluation of each application. The review is comprehensive and faculty consider each component of the application for the applicant’s fit with the program philosophy, knowledge about the program and faculty members’ interests and expertise and experiences that reflect preparedness to assume graduate-level work.

What are the average GPA scores of students in the program?

Students are required to maintain 3.0 or higher.

What is the retention rate after the first year?

Because the pool of applicants is highly competitive and admission decision-making occurs only after extensive faculty deliberations, the retention rate is nearly 100%. The exceptions to this rule are typically related with one of the following: a shift in students’ life circumstances, students’ desire to re-focus career goals, or failure to maintain “good-standing” status within the program. These are the exceptions, but such cases do occur from time to time.

Where can I get answers to other general questions I might have?

The Registrar’s Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and can be reached at (517) 355-3300. Information is also available on the Office of the Registrar site. You may also make after-hours and weekend inquiries with the university operators at (517) 355-1855.

For general technology questions, contact the ATS Help Desk at (517) 432-6200, or visit tech.msu.edu/support.

What are the tuition rates for this program?

Tuition for students is the same for all students regardless of residency. Find the most up-to-date information on tuition on Michigan State University’s official Tuition and Fees page. The Special Education M.A. program is included under “Online Education Masters.” 

The current cost per credit hour is $933. The M.A. in Special Education is a 30- to 36-credit program.

MSU’s Tuition and Fees Calculator will help you estimate your tuition and student fees each semester. When using the calculator, select “In-State” for Residency, “Masters” for Level, “College of Education” for College and “Online MA/MS Education Programs” for Special Program Type. Most Special Education students two 3-credit courses per semester, so you can estimate your number of credits as 6 each semester.

MSU’s Office of the Controller’s website is the most up-to-date source of information related to tuition (this program is listed as “Online Education Masters”).

How do I know when to pay my tuition?

Students and guests can make payments on balances via the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu. After logging in, students and guests should navigate to the Student Accounts tile to access their student account. Once inside the payment portal, students and guests can make payments on current and prior semester balances, view account details and bills, enroll in a payment plan or sign up for direct deposit refunds.

For more information about billing and payments, visit the Student Accounts information on the MSU Office of the Controller website.

Can I have more information on financial aid?

The College of Education’s Academic & Student Affairs Office has compiled some helpful information about financial aid on its website, including eligibility, how to start your application and when to apply.

Graduate financial aid advisors can be reached at ofagrad@msu.edu and through MSU’s Office of Financial Aid website. (Please note: This office is typically quite busy at the beginning of a semester.)

Are there scholarships for M.A. in Special Education students?

If you’re interested in pursuing the M.A. in Special Education with Learning Disabilities endorsement, you may also be interested in participating in Project Hi2LD. Scholars will complete their respective programming along with additional monthly seminars that include training for working collaboratively in school teams to promote positive outcomes among students with high intensity needs in high-needs schools. Participating scholars receive funding to alleviate tuition and supply costs and attend in-state professional conferences in-person. LD Endorsement applicants applying for Summer Semester admission (application deadline: Feb. 1) will also be considered for Hi2LD. Learn more about Project Hi2LD.

The College of Education offers a series of scholarships that are open to all enrolled graduate students, including online master’s students. Applications for these scholarships open in the Spring Semester and are issued in the following Fall Semester (applicants must be enrolled in both semesters to be eligible). Find the most up-to-date information on these scholarship opportunities and information on when to apply via the College of Education.

These scholarship opportunities include:

• College of Education Alumni Fellowship: Open to all CED graduate students
• Robert I. Boyd Scholarship in Education: Open to all CED graduate students
• Clifford E. Erickson Memorial Fund Scholarship: Open to all CED graduate students
• Dr. Kenneth Harding Graduate Student Endowed Scholarship: Open to all CED graduate students
• Anderson-Schwille Endowed Fellowship in International Education: Open to a non-U.S. citizen/international CED graduate student (student visa or permanent U.S. resident)
• Hinman Graduate Fellowship: Open to CED students who are Michigan residents, preferably Lansing residents
• The Michael B. Salwen and Okhee Lee-Salwen Endowed Scholarship in the College of Education: Open to CED students with financial need
• Janice Marston Memorial Fund Scholarship: Applicants must be a demonstrably needy and academically worthy CED graduate student
• Gaylin Green Miller Endowed Scholarship in Education: Recipients should be admitted students in the College of Education in good academic standing. Recipients will be selected based on financial need with financial need being determined by the federal government according to its policies and procedures. Priority will be given to students with current or previous residency in southeast Michigan
• Donald H. Nickerson Scholarship in Cultural Diversity and Minority Concerns: For American ethnic minority graduate students in education. Preference will be given to candidates studying to improve teaching and learning of diverse learners and underserved populations in the United States.
• Grace Hoffer Endowed Fund for Graduate Students in the College of Education: Open to all CED graduate students

How many of my MSU internship credits can transfer into the MAED, and how do I get them transferred?

Up to 12 of your internship credits may be used: CEP 801A, 802A, 803A, 804A. Have questions about your credits? Email us at sped@msu.edu.

Can I transfer previously taken credits into this program?

Yes. Students may transfer a total of nine credits of M.A. level work taken prior to admission to the program; however, once you begin taking MA courses online, all remaining course work must be taken online. Also, all course work must be no older than five years at the time of graduation.

What are the criteria for transferring credit to the program?

For courses to transfer:

• A grade of 3.0 or better must have been earned
• The course(s) must be graduate level
• The course(s) may not have been used towards another degree
• The course(s) must be no older than five years at the time of graduation
• The course must be from another similarly accredited institution

How do I set up a MSU email account?

1. Once you have accepted your Offer of Admission in the MSU admissions portal, you can find your MSU Student ID at the top of the Application Status page within the portal.
2. You will receive an email notification to log into their Admissions portal to retrieve your PAN. Students will need to click on “Show Personal Access Number (PAN)” button to display the 4-digit PAN.
3. Within the portal, you will need to click on the link “Activate your MSU NetID and email,” which will take you to the Admissions website to activate your NetID.
4. Use your MSU e-mail address to access the online course web systems Desire2Learn. You will also use your e-mail address to access Campus Solutions, where you can see your course schedules and grades, view and pay bills, and track your financial aid. 

Do I need to use my MSU email account?

Your MSU email address is the only email address that the university will use to send official communication to students. However you may auto forward all incoming email to another service or account. Click on “MSU Prefs” in the sidebar menu to access this setting.

When are you assigned an advisor?

Once admitted to the program, students will be assigned an advisor.

How do I enroll for classes?

Find more information about class enrollment and registration on MSU’s Office to the Registrar’s website.

How do I drop a course?

You can drop any course on the enrollment system through the middle of the term of instruction. Click on the section number in the Schedule of Courses to see important drop dates.

To drop a course after the middle of the term, you must follow the regulations as enumerated in the General Procedures and Regulations section of Academic Programs.

If you wish to drop a course but have a hold, call the Registrar’s Office at 517-355-3300 for assistance.

Where can I access the program plan form?

Please visit forms for master’s students.

Where can I get my grades, class schedule, billing information, account detail, etc.?

You can visit student.msu.edu.

Do I need to apply to graduate?

Yes. The first week of the semester you expect to graduate, submit the graduation application. If you expect to graduate in the summer, submit this application in the first week of spring. The Graduation Application is now available at student.msu.edu. After clicking on the Academic Progress tile, you will see a link to Apply for Graduation in the left-hand navigation under the Graduation heading.

When will I receive my diploma?

Your diploma will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application approximately four weeks after the end of the semester that you graduate.

Where do I find information about commencement?

Go to the MSU Commencement website.

MSU Registrar FAQ page