Master's Degrees

Disability & Psychoeducational Studies

Special Education Accelerated M.A.

Interested in earning both your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in as few as five years? The Special Education Accelerated Master’s Program offers students pursuing the Bachelor of Science Mild to Moderate Disabilities degree the opportunity to begin taking graduate courses during their final year. After completing the undergraduate program, students take another year of courses to complete the master’s degree in the specialization area of their choice:

  • Severe and multiple disabilities (hybrid program)
  • Deaf and hard of hearing (online program)
  • Visual impairment (hybrid program)

Eligible students in the mild to moderate disabilities undergraduate program can apply to the Accelerated Master's Program during their junior year.

Graduate with a bachelor’s degree, Arizona teacher certification in mild to moderate disabilities, a master’s degree and Arizona teacher certification in your selected master’s specialization
Learn about issues related to the fields of special education and rehabilitation
Prepare for a high-demand career that offers a competitive starting salary upon graduation

Sample Courses

The Special Education Accelerated Master's Program includes courses that will apply towards both a Bachelor of Science Mild to Moderate Disabilities and a Master of Arts in Special Education. Required core coursework includes courses like SERP 502 (Behavior Principles and Disability) and SERP 504 (Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners). In addition to core coursework, you must complete courses within your selected specialization track:

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SAMPLE COURSES
SERP 530: Educational Issues: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
SERP 532: Principles of Listening & Spoken Language

SEVERE AND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES SAMPLE COURSES
SERP 513: Assessing and Educating Students with Intellectual & Severe Disabilities
SERP 515: Assessment & Instruction: Low Incidence Disabilities

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SAMPLE COURSES
SERP 515: Assessment & Instruction: Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities
SERP 520: Low Vision and Visual Functioning

Careers

A master’s degree in special education prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities in roles like a resource classroom teacher, itinerant teacher, self-contained classroom teacher, parent advisor, and early intervention specialist.

Contact Us

For more information about the program, contact Assistant Professor of Practice Christina Rivera at 520-621-7822.