Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling

The Master of Science in Special Education degree program is designed for persons who desire to improve their teaching or behavior analysis skills. In the Applied Behavior Analysis MS concentration, students complete coursework that will allow them to sit for the National Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. An MS degree is appropriate for students who are contemplating enrolling in a doctoral program later on. Generally, MS theses differ from MEd creative projects in that they require experimental research that contributes knowledge to the field of special education. A minimum of 30 credits, including a thesis, is required for the MS degree.

Master of Science 

All master’s students are required to enroll in courses that support their area(s) of interest. Courses may either be taken in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling or in other departments. Coursework taken post bachelor’s degree can be applied from licensure or endorsement areas such as:

• Administrative/Supervisory
• Dual Sensory Impairments
• Early Childhood
• English as a Second Language
• Mild/Moderate
• Reading
• Severe Disabilities

Coursework can be applied from a single program or accrued across departments such as:

• Elementary Education
• Family and Human Development
• Instructional Technology
• Program Evaluation
• Psychology
• Secondary Education
• Sociology or Social Work

For more specific information, please visit the department’s website: sper.usu.edu/masters/sped/ms.

MS with BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) Coursework

Participants will complete the coursework necessary to sit for the National Board-Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) exam (individuals already possessing a master’s degree can apply to take only BCBA-preparation courses). Students will gain valuable clinical and research experience that will strengthen their professional skills and/or prepare them for further graduate study. For more specific information, please visit the department’s website: sper.usu.edu/masters/sped/ms-bcba.

MS Transition Concentration

The Master of Science Transition Concentration degree program will prepare special education teachers licensed at the bachelor’s level and other eligible graduate students to (a) provide transition services preparing individuals with disabilities for adult living, and (b) support and monitor individuals with disabilities in post-secondary education and supported/competitive employment. Students will take “core” masters courses along with transition-related courses. For more specific information, please visit the department’s website: sper.usu.edu/masters/sped/ms-med-transition.