Special Education, M.S. - Learning Disabilities

For further information: SpecialEdGrad@southernct.edu

Application Deadline

Rolling admissions 

All Master ’s degrees in special education require 30 credits, as well as a culminating experience. Some graduate courses may require field experiences. Courses should not be taken without an adviser’s approval.

Graduate students can work towards a Master of Science degree in Special Education in a variety of concentration areas, including Learning Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Assistive Technology, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities and Interdisciplinary Special Education. Sixth-year professional diplomas in Applied Behavior Analysis and Assistive Technology are also offered.

Admission and program requirements are as follows:

• 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
• The program must include 30 credits at the 500 level or above
• Each student must choose an area of concentration for the master's program from the following:
  • Interdisciplinary
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Emotional Behavioral Disorders
  • Adaptive Technology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities

An interview, essay and two letters of recommendation are required for admission. However, additional materials may be required.  Contact the Special Education Office for information on acceptance to the program.

Learning Disabilities — 30 Credits

SED 514 — Transition within Disability Services — 3 credits
SED 530 — Approaches to Learning Disabilities: Issues and Research — 3 credits
SED 536 — Diagnostic Testing and Reporting in Learning Disabilities — 3 credits
SED 537 — Seminar in Learning Disabilities — 3 credits

Select one of the following:

SED 535 — Programming for Learning Disabilities: Middle and Secondary Levels — 3 credits
SED 554 — The At-Risk Child in the Early Elementary Grades: Instruction and Assessment — 3 credits

*15 credits of graduate electives may be chosen from special education or related courses with advisor approval, but these may not be credits that have been applied to a previous degree. These courses can be any graduate level course in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, or College of Health and Human Services.

*Comprehensive Exam in Learning Disabilities is Required.

Special Education Comprehensive Examination Schedule

• Fall — Study Session: to be announced (see website). Comprehensive Examination: Typically given on the third Saturday in November, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Spring — Study Session: to be announced (see website). Comprehensive Examination: Typically given on the first Saturday in April, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

NOTE: If Easter falls on the first Sunday in April, comprehensive examinations will be held on the second Saturday.