Program Search

Note: This program is not currently accepting applications. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, Specialty: Early Childhood Birth to Age 5, Shady Grove (MSPEC) is a 30-credit, 10-course curriculum that addresses the developmental and learning needs of our youngest ages birth-5. Graduate work addresses the developmental and learning needs of our youngest ages birth-5 including those with physical, sensory (e.g., deaf-blindness, cortical visual impairment, etc.), and multiple disabilities. The program focuses on providing the graduate student the knowledge, skills and abilities that support efforts to achieve equitable developmental and academic achievement for all. The program is designed for professionals who already hold an early childhood special education teacher license/certification, professionals interested in expanding their knowledge, skills, and abilities with those with special needs from Birth-Age 5, and for professionals interested in working in an early childhood special education context outside of the classroom.

This 30-credit hour Special Education, Master of Education (M.Ed.) Specialty Autism Spectrum Disorders (ONLINE) program is designed for professionals interested in increasing their skills and expanding their knowledge to better serve the increasing number of students with ASD with high intensity needs. This M.Ed program is interested in recruiting members from underrepresented groups, including applicants with disabilities, multilingual applicants and applicants from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

The Special Education - with Certification, Master of Education (M.Ed.) program enables aspiring educators to be functional in classrooms where students have diverse needs. To ensure preparation for diverse classroom settings and needs, faculty embed self-reflection, advocacy, critical consciousness and cultural competence throughout the program of study. Teacher candidates will be prepared to teach students with support students at-risk, students in need of intervention, and students with mild to severe disabilities, across disability categories. M.Ed. programs are practitioner focused programs that focus on in-classroom experiences and prepare educators for working with students. A bachelor's degree in any field is required.

The Institute for the Study of Exceptional Children and Youth, in the Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education Department, is pleased to offer a unique Graduate Certificate program designed for General Education teachers: Special Education for General Education Teachers in Inclusive Classrooms. This program prepares educators to meet the needs of students with disabilities in inclusive classroom settings. The skills gained through this program will equip participants to better serve all students in their schools. With one course at a time, this certificate program is designed for busy professionals to increase their skills as they complete five online graduate classes consecutively. Once completed, the certificate can be used to fulfill half of an online MEd in Special Education with a special focus on autism if scholars wish to continue on directly.

NOTE: This program is not open for admissions. The ISECY in the Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education Department (UMD) offers an EdD in Special Education Leadership to increase the number and capacity of leaders of special education services. This Ed.D. prepares our future leaders in the following areas: (1) Leadership and Management skills in Special Education including professional development and supervision; (2) Oversight and evaluation of evidence-based instruction, to ensure positive learning outcomes; (3) Policy issues in Special Education; (4) Methods to build positive partnerships with families of students with disabilities to ensure high expectations for students; and (5) Data-based evaluations and research skills. This program is offered in two locations: Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland and in Brussels, Germany in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense. The Germany cohort is located in Brussels, Germany and consists of special education teachers, related service professionals, principals, and special education administrators employed by the Department of Defense Dependent School System (DoDDS).

With increasing awareness of diverse learner needs, Special Education teachers are in demand, and the Special Education with Severe Disabilities Endorsement, Master of Education program caters to this demand through 30 credit hours of intensive coursework focused on birth through grade 12. This option is ONLY for teachers with a special education certificate. Coursework and field experiences are offered to obtain Maryland State Department of Education certification in severe disabilities. This MEd program is available only when the applicant has Maryland Special Education Certification in one or more age-based areas (i.e., Early Childhood; Elementary; or Secondary/Middle). Prior to admission to the program, a copy of a valid MSDE Generic Special Education Certificate must be provided in the application. M.Ed programs are practitioner focused programs that focus on in-classroom experiences and prepare educators for working with students.

The Special Education, Master of Arts program focuses on diverse learner needs. The program is designed for educators who wish to focus on special education. An M.A. in the special education field assists educators with research and will incorporate the thesis option. Three hours of written examinations are required.

The Special Education, Ph.D. is the highest level of mastery UMD offers for those invested in working with learners with disabilities. This program prepares graduates for leadership in the special education field and advances their expertise. Students accepted into the Ph.D. program are prepared to assume faculty positions at research universities or leadership positions in state and local education agencies, policy organizations, or the federal government. This program does include a dissertation.

The Supporting Children with Intensive Behavior Needs Certificate is offered in partnership with the Center for Innovation and Leadership (CILSE) at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Ideal for experienced teachers, this program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and promotes equity and inclusion in educational settings, ensuring all students receive the support they need to succeed. The curriculum combines online courses and hands-on experiences at Kennedy Krieger, equipping educators with evidence-based interventions and practical strategies.

The Post Master’s Certificate in Supporting Immigrant Students for Professional School Counselors (Z171) is a 12 credit, 4-course graduate program that equips Professional School Counselors with specialized skills to work with students of families who have recently immigrated to the United States in specifically Prince George’s County. The program provides purpose and structure to directly respond to the complex needs of immigrants and refugees resettling in the County.

The Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) minor equips students from diverse fields such as linguistics, languages, sciences, and more with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. Whether pursuing a career in language teaching, enhancing cross-cultural communication skills, or broadening the student’s understanding of language acquisition, this program offers valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth.

This highly ranked Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Education Policy and Leadership Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) program is designed to address the intersection of education policy, practice and societal impact. As schools play a pivotal role in shaping communities and fostering social change, understanding and influencing education policy becomes increasingly essential. The curriculum provides in-depth knowledge, research skills, and professional competencies necessary to navigate and address the complex challenges facing education systems today.

The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Education Policy and Leadership Specialization, Ph.D. program is designed for people aspiring to lead and influence educational policy and practice. It addresses critical issues in education by integrating diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives from the social sciences and humanities. Students engage in rigorous research and enrichment experiences to develop policies that promote equity and effectiveness in educational institutions. Ideal for aspiring education policy makers, analysts, curriculum specialists, and advocates, the program equips students with the skills to critically analyze and influence education systems.

The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Language, Literacy, and Social Inquiry Specialization, Ph.D. program is focused on the study of language and literacy learning in pre-kindergarten through high school. Our program offers two areas of focus, Applied Linguistics and Language Education, and Literacy Education, that will prepare you for roles as researchers, curriculum specialists, teacher educators and educational leaders. Students have research interests ranging from bi/multilingualism, bilingual/dual language education and code switching to culturally responsive approaches to elementary reading instruction, research comprehension strategies and vocabulary for literacy learning.

Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Mathematics and Science Education Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) has been designed for a world that increasingly relies on STEM fields to drive innovation and solve global challenges. With the need for skilled math and science educators more pressing than ever, this highly ranked program is designed for educators aiming to deepen their expertise in math and science education. Students engage in rigorous research, coursework, and professional development, focusing on topics such as quantitative research methods, trends in education, and subject-specific content knowledge. To accommodate working students, our courses meet once per week, in the late afternoon/early evening.

With a doctoral degree in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership with a specialization in Mathematics and Science Education, you will advance your science and math knowledge through theory, research and practice. Our program blends traditional and cutting-edge research that will help you gain knowledge and skills in policy, leadership, law, economics, and research necessary to transform schools and systems for the greater good.