Academic Catalog 2026-2027

M.A. in Special Education

Admission Requirements

The M.A. degree and licenses in special education will consider applicants who:

  • Meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
  • Submit an official transcript (U.S. schools) or NACES or AICE evaluation (international schools) showing an earned baccalaureate degree and official transcripts or NACES or AICE evaluations from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended. Undergraduate transcript(s) may be waived if transfer credit(s) are not used being used to fulfill content area requirements.
  • Have earned a baccalaureate degree or higher from an institutionally accredited (or internationally recognized as equivalent) institution.
  • Have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on the highest degree completed.
  • Submit two professional Admission References.
  • Submit a written Statement of Purpose.1
  • Interview with the program director or enrollment counselor.1
  • Submit a copy of current or most recent state or internationally recognized teaching license at the elementary, secondary, or K–12 (or equivalent) level. Applicants without a current teaching license will be considered for admission to the special education program.
    NOTE: Students who become licensed in ABS K–12, ASD B–21, DD K-12 or EBD K–12 but do not have a regular teaching license prior to entering the program will only be eligible to teach in those areas of special education license, not as regular education teachers. 
  • Submission of current Tier 3 or 4 Minnesota teaching license is sufficient documentation of completion of equivalent Standards of Effective Practice (SEP) coursework listed in the degree requirements. 
  • Submit a current resume.

Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance. See Admission Categories.

1

Required if this is the student's first special education license.

Students must complete one to two of the following concentrations: Standards of Effective Practice, Academic Behavioral Strategist K–12; Autism Spectrum Disorders B–21, Developmental Disabilities K–12, and/or Emotional/Behavioral Disorders K–12; or complete the basic program sequence. Bethel offers each concentration fully online with 2-4 Saturday intensives. 

Special Education (M.A.)
Bethel Core Courses
EDUC 795Writing the Thesis *4
SPED 618Instructional Strategies for Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities4
SPED 655Classroom-based Assessment and Field Experience4
Minnesota PELSB Special Education Core
SPED 602Introduction to Special Education: History, Law, Academics, and Behavior4
SPED 617Norm-Reference Assessment and Field Experience4
SPED 623Consultation, Collaboration, and Resources2
SPED 627Programming and Planning for Special Education2
SPED 629Reading Foundations and Field Experience4
Select one to two concentrations10-30
Total Credits38-58
*

Course must be taken for credit at Bethel.

 

Academic Behavioral Strategist Concentration (13-15 credits)

SPED 633Characteristics of Mild-Moderate Disabilities (ABS)4
SPED 635Responsive Instruction, Intervention, and Assessment (ABS)2
SPED 639Intro to Behavioral Methods & Mental Health for Mild-Mod Special Needs (ABS, EBD) & Field Experience 14
SPED 770ABS: Student Teaching 23-5
or SPED 782 SPED Practicum for Teachers of Other Licenses
or SPED 786 Academic Behavioral Strategist: Practicum
Total Credits13-15

Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration (13-15 credits)

SPED 643Characteristics of ASD (ASD)2
SPED 645ASD: Evaluation, Communication, and Intervention Strategies and Field Experience 14
SPED 649Planning, Instruction, and Consultation for ASD (ASD)4
SPED 771ASD: Student Teaching 23-5
or SPED 782 SPED Practicum for Teachers of Other Licenses
or SPED 787 Autism Spectrum Disorders: Practicum
Total Credits13-15

Developmental Disabilities Concentration (13-15 credits)

SPED 661Foundations of Developmental and Cognitive Disabilities/Intellectual Disabilities2
SPED 667Instruction and Intervention for Students with Intellectual Disabilities4
SPED 669Supporting Students with Intellectual Disabilities Across Systems and Field Experience 14
SPED 774DD: Student Teaching3-5
or SPED 782 SPED Practicum for Teachers of Other Licenses
or SPED 779 DD: Practicum
Total Credits13-15

Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities Concentration (13-15 credits)

SPED 604Child & Adolescent Psychopathology3
SPED 613Intervention Strategies for Moderate to Severe Behavioral Disabilities3
SPED 639Intro to Behavioral Methods & Mental Health for Mild-Mod Special Needs (ABS, EBD) & Field Experience 14
SPED 773EBD: Student Teaching 23-5
or SPED 782 SPED Practicum for Teachers of Other Licenses
or SPED 788 EBD: Practicum
Total Credits13-15

Standards of Effective Practice Concentration (15 credits)

In order for students to be able to access financial aid for the standards of effective practice (SEPs) courses, the 16 credits of SEPs must be part of the Master's degree program as an additional required concentration. Students who enroll with a Minnesota Tier 3 or 4 teacher license are not required to take this SEP concentration.

TEAC 521Foundations of Education2
TEAC 524Educational Psychology4
TEAC 526General Methods of Instruction4
TEAC 528Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education4
TEAC 595School-Wide Systems Field Experience 11
Total Credits15

 Basic Program Sequence (10 credits)

SPED 633Characteristics of Mild-Moderate Disabilities (ABS)4
SPED 635Responsive Instruction, Intervention, and Assessment (ABS)2
SPED 639Intro to Behavioral Methods & Mental Health for Mild-Mod Special Needs (ABS, EBD) & Field Experience 14
Total Credits10
1

This course requires 30 hours/8 weeks in a school setting.

2

 Course must be taken for credit at Bethel.