M.A. Special Education

Master of Arts in Special Education

The Master of Arts in Special Education serves a critical need as school districts across the U.S. report a significant shortage in teachers who are adequately prepared and able to serve the diverse needs of today's learners. Whether you wish to teach as a special educator or add special education skillsets to your current teaching, this program provides the foundation for certification as a special educator at the elementary or secondary level. Per recent guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Education, students pursuing the program do not need to possess initial teaching certification prior to pursuing Special Education certification in the State. Rhode Island is a member of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. 

This Program

  • Is available full-time or part-time with hybrid evening coursework
  • Provides a one-year completion option for current undergraduates
  • Offers pathways to elementary or secondary certification in Special Education
  • Does not require a prior teaching license or education degree

Open 4+1 Option

If you are currently an undergraduate student at an institution other than Roger Williams University, you can apply to be considered to start RWU graduate courses in your senior year and complete your master's with us in just one year. Open 4+1 students take two online graduate courses in the M.A. Special Education program during the senior year at a more than 75 percent discount and then pursue the master's degree full-time in just one year on campus in a hybrid format. 

Tell Me More More About The Program

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