The Masters of Education in Special Education is broken into the following areas of concentration.

Assistive Technology (Online Option)

Through program students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to use various assistive technologies to address the needs of persons with low incidence and/or severe disabilities.

When applying to the program, students can indicate they want to obtain a master's degree in Special Education or Instructional Technology with an emphasis in Assistive Technology. Students may attend classes full or part-time. Courses are provided on campus, or via the Internet.

The goal of the program is to offer a master's degree that will advance one's knowledge and further their expertise in a specialty area.

Learn more about the Assistive Technology concentration.

Autism (Online Option)

Through this program students will increase their understanding of individuals with Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) across the lifespan. They will learn to use alternative communication systems to address the needs of persons with Autism/PDD.

Courses are provided on campus, or via the Internet.

Learn more about the Autism concentration

Learning and Behavior Disorders

Through this program teachers increase their knowledge and expertise in teaching students with Behavior Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Mild Mental Disabilities and Orthopedic Impairments at all grade levels from preschool through high school.

Learn more about the Learning and Behavior Disorders concentration

Moderate and Severe Disabilities (Online Option)

Through this program teachers will increase their knowledge and expertise in teaching students with Functional Mental Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Multiple Impairments, and other health impairments from preschool through high school.

Courses are provided on campus, or via the Internet.

Learn more about the Moderate and Severe Disabilities concentration

Program Curriculum

Detailed requirements for completing this degree are provided in the Graduate Catalog.

Note: Meeting GRE score and GPA minimums do not guarantee a student will be accepted to the program.

Admission Requirements

Students may apply to the program by first going to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies web site.

Students must also submit the following information:

• official transcripts with a GPA of 2.75 in the Bachelor's degree and a 3.0 GPA or higher for graduate work
• For GRE scores prior to August 1, 2011, a minimum combined (verbal and quantitative) score of an 800 is required for unconditional admission. For GRE scores taken August 1, 2011 and after, please refer to the concordance table from ETS (Educational Testing Services) [PDF] for revised score equivalencies.
• two letters of recommendation (use graduate recommendation forms [PDF])
• TOEFL is required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language. Students holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.

Contact Us

Terry Scott
Department of Special Education
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Office: 502-852-0576 or 502-852-1642

Career Pathways and Certification

Students acquiring the Certified Orientation Mobility Specialist (COMS) and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) credentials work as consultants, or as direct employees of schools' postsecondary disability agencies to provide O&M and AT services. Others use their training in a variety of ways in education and administration.

Financial Aid

In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.

Other financial aid opportunities available include graduate assistantships and other employment opportunities.

Supervising and Resource Teachers

In recognition of valuable service to the preparation of teachers and the need for all teachers to have continual professional growth, a supervising teacher or a resource teacher for teacher interns may, with prior approval of the course-offering institution, take a maximum of six (6) credit hours per term at any public postsecondary institution and pay no tuition. The postsecondary institution shall waive the tuition up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours.

To apply, you must complete the Tuition Waiver Certification for Supervising and Resource Teachers Application [PDF]. It should be completed by the supervising teacher, certified by their principal, and returned to our office. Return the form to the Student Financial Aid Office at U of L, attention: Wesley Partin.

Eligibility: 6 credit hours of tuition benefits for each semester served as a full responsibility supervising or resource teacher, or 3 credit hours of tuition benefits for each semester served as a shared supervising or resource teacher. Students may exercise the tuition waiver option up to twelve months following the assignment. Tuition benefits are paid directly to the University of Louisville.

I have some credit hours from another program/university. Can the credit be transferred?

Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL advisor approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.

What degrees or endorsements do I receive if I complete the program?

You will receive a Master of Education in Special Education degree.

How long does it take to complete the MEd program?

The program can be completed in as few as two years or as many as six years.

Where are courses being delivered?

Courses are delivered on UofL's Belknap Campus; some courses may be available online.