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The Special Education Program at Mississippi State University prepares future practitioners and leaders to make a meaningful impact in special education. Our students learn to identify and implement evidence-based practices tailored to the unique needs of each student and family. With programs that span the entire lifespan, we emphasize empowering families to support student success at every stage. Our faculty is committed to advancing and continuously improving innovative practices that propel the field forward.

Program highlights:

In-State Tuition:

All online students, regardless of location, receive the in-state tuition rate.

Flexible Online Learning:

Experience the flexibility of online learning with our 100% online coursework. Complete your studies from anywhere while balancing other commitments.

Licensure opportunity:

Program graduates are eligible to be recommended for the Class AA Mississippi Educator License.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $581.00
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour $25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Program Structure

The Master of Science in Special Education requires 33 hours of graduate coursework beyond the bachelor's degree.

Required Courses

Course Number Course Title Hours
EDX 6813 Intro to Assessment Issues in Special Education 3
EDX 8003 Multi-tiered Systems of Support  3
EDX 8043 Evidenced-Based Practices for Struggling Learners 3
EDX 8063 Universal and Focused Behavioral Interventions (Tier 1 & 2) 3
EDX 8073 Intensive Behavioral Interventions (Tier 3) 3
EDX 8083 Universal Design for Learning  3
EDX 8113 Sped Law and Research 3
EDX 8093 Special Education Project 3
EDX 8343 Single Case Design Research in the Classroom  3
EDX 8173 Special Education in the Regular Classroom 3
EDX 8493 Action Research  3
  Total Hours 33

 

 

Admission Requirements

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as classified students.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

  • December 1 to be considered for Spring admission.
  • May 1 to be considered for Summer admission.
  • August 1 to be considered for Fall admission.

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution with unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. The applicant must also meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the MS in Special Education program.

Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.00/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the cited criteria, the student's application may nevertheless be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are NOT required to enter this program.

 

 

Admissions Process

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose you will select Special Education as your major and Online Education as your campus
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  4. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
  5. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  6. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  7. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  8. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor.

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

English Language Test Score Requirements

TOEFL Essentials TOEFL iBT IELTS Admission Eligibility Outcome
9 and above 79 and above 6.5 and above Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5 69-78 6.0-6.4 Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship. Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5 61-68 5.5-5.9 Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5 54-60 4.6-5.4 Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below 53 and below 4.5 and below Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School. Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

Contact Information

Photo of Samantha Clardy

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

  • Center for Distance Education
662-325-9092
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Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

  • Center for Distance Education
662-325-8876
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Dr. Patricia Hampshire

Program Coordinator

  • Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
    Department of Teacher Education and Leadership
662-325-2188