About
In Appalachian’s Master of Arts in Special Education degree program, students learn and practice advanced skills in improving the lives of those with special needs. Graduates are regarded as well trained and are readily hired to teach special education in public and private schools across the country.
The program fulfills requirements for the advanced competencies licensure from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Graduates are eligible for employment in a variety of special education settings. Students are required to complete a final portfolio (Product of Learning) in the last semester of their program.
This program requires a minimum of one course in each of the three disability areas listed below. Each course provides specific strategies for improving social, emotional or academic skills:
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
In addition, students can earn the Graduate Reading Certificate, which may lead to licensure as a reading teacher in NC, and/or the Graduate Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate.
Professional Licensure
This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.
If this applies to you, check the U.S. Department of Education for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at Appalachian at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.
Courses
Course titles and information can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Application Essentials
Required Entrance Exam: Applicants to this program may be eligible for a standardized exam waiver. For details, please read the Admission Requirements information.
Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3
Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.
Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).
Admission to Special Education: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.
For information on Accelerated Admissions or advising, email the program director at shanklandrk@appstate.edu.
Employers
Public and private schools across North Carolina and the U.S.
Application Deadlines
- Spring: on and off campus: 11/1
- Summer Session 1: on and off campus: 4/1
- Summer Session 2: on and off campus: 4/1
- Fall: on and off campus: 7/1
Why Appalachian?
- Appalachian has long been recognized as an outstanding teacher education institution.
- Graduates are readily hired by public and private schools across the country.
- Off-campus cohorts in addition to the on-campus program improve accessibility for working teachers.
- Students engage in meaningful professional relationships with faculty.
- Classes are small, and the program emphasizes opportunities for research and applied field-based projects.
- There are add-on certificates in Autism and Reading.
- All graduate programs at Appalachian have small class sizes, providing intimate classroom interaction.
- The School of Graduate Studies offers scholarships, fellowships and assistantships to support eligible, full-time, degree-seeking students.
Method of Delivery
On campus and off campus
Careers
- Teacher
- Behavioral Specialist
- Resource Teacher
Contacts
Dr. Rebecca Shankland
Program Director
shanklandrk@appstate.edu