Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Populations
From left: Spring 2024 M.Ed. in special populations graduates Cherry Peipelman, Carissa Petersen and Raquel Vargas at the UH Athletics Center on May 9, 2024Learn more about the M.Ed. in special populations program at a free virtual info session Monday, March 3 at 6 p.m. RSVP now!
To apply for this program, please visit Graduate Admissions.
Is this program for me?
The Special Populations Master's Program prepares professionals for the high-needs field of Special Education. Special education has been a teacher shortage area in Texas and across the nation since shortage areas were first reported by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates find abundant opportunities for challenging and rewarding careers. It will typically take one to two years to complete the degree if students are enrolled full-time (9 hours per semester).
The program offers five tracks:
Special Education Emphasis (Online) focuses on obtaining the necessary capacity for working with individuals with disabilities.
Special Education Certification Emphasis (Hybrid – UH Main Campus) focuses on obtaining the necessary capacity for working with students with disabilities, as well as meets certification requirements to teach special education (EC-12) in Texas.
Educational Diagnostician Certification Emphasis (Hybrid – UH Main and Katy Campuses) prepares students for certification as Educational Diagnosticians in Texas public schools. Students in this program currently hold a teaching certificate in Texas. This program extends teachers' special education expertise by developing the necessary skillset to assess and identify learning problems in children, consult with parents and teachers in a multidisciplinary setting, and assume leadership roles.
Special Education Leadership Emphasis (Hybrid – UH Main Campus) prepares students who are working with learners with disabilities and other special needs to assume administrative roles* in special education in a K-12 school or at the district level. This emphasis develops students into special education leaders* who have the skills to address the complex issues surrounding educating students with challenges related to learning, social, and emotional needs.
Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis (Online or Hybrid – Katy Campus) prepares students to become Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), equipped with the skills needed to make a meaningful impact in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics and communities. This program teaches students how to design, implement and evaluate effective behavioral interventions, using evidence-based strategies to support positive change and improve outcomes for individuals. Note: The BCBA certification requires coursework, supervised field work, and a passing score on the certification test. Students will need to complete their supervised field work and certification exam on their own.
GRE Waiver
The GRE requirement will be waived for all applicants to the M.Ed. in Special Populations program. In the absence of standardized test scores, applicants will be evaluated with particular attention paid to quality of writing sample, relevant experience, recommendations and undergraduate grades in courses related to education and/or statistics and/or statistics and measurement.
What will I learn?
The Master’s in Special Populations develops professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills through:
- College of Education Core Coursework
- Special Education Content Coursework
- Comprehensive Exam
Students who complete the Special Education Emphasis:
- Understand, assess, and evaluate the needs of students with disabilities to make instructional decisions.
- Skillfully manage the teaching environment, including the use of assistive technology.
- Promote students’ educational, behavioral and social performance.
- Apply knowledge of transition issues and teaching across the lifespan.
Students who complete the Special Education Certification Emphasis:
- Understand, assess, and evaluate the needs of students with disabilities to make instructional decisions.
- Skillfully manage the teaching environment, including the use of assistive technology.
- Promote students’ educational, behavioral and social performance.
- Apply knowledge of transition issues and teaching across the lifespan.
- Engage the roles and responsibilities of the teaching profession.
Students who complete the Educational Diagnostician Certification Emphasis:
- Understand federal and state disability criteria and identification procedures for determining the presence of an educational need.
- Recognize the significance of diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction.
- Select, administer and interpret appropriate assessments and evaluations.
- Understand appropriate curricula and instructional strategies for developing the academic, behavioral and social skills of students with disabilities.
- Engage the roles and responsibilities of the teaching profession.
Students who complete the Special Education Leadership Emphasis:
- Apply current special education laws and policies to design and deliver inclusive special education and/or support for diverse students.
- Provide leadership* and expertise in assessing, identifying, and implementing special education needs and to collaborate with related services and other personnel, including school psychologists, educational diagnosticians, speech therapists, administrators, and teachers.
- Understand ethical decision making, innovative problem solving, and professional growth.
- Understand appropriate curricula and instructional strategies for developing the academic, behavioral and social skills of students with disabilities.
Students who complete the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Emphasis:
- Understand key theories and principles of ABA.
- Develop effective strategies based on ABA principles to address a variety of behaviors.
- Learn to collect and analyze data to monitor progress and make data-driven decisions.
- Learn to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, read and interpret research findings, and contribute to the field’s knowledge base..
- Understand ethical guidelines and professional responsibilities when working with clients.
- Gain skills in supervising behavior technicians and collaborating with other professionals in interdisciplinary settings.
What can I do with my degree?
The Special Populations Master’s Program prepares educators to assume positions in:
- Public and Private Early Childhood – 12th grade school settings
- Educational and Social Agencies
- Foundations
- Public and Private Research Organizations
- Residential Facilities
- Behavioral Therapy Facilities
Graduates with an M.Ed. in Special Populations may pursue the following careers:
- Community College Instructors
- Educational Diagnosticians
- Special Education Teachers
- EC-12 Team Leaders
- EC-12 Department Chairs
- EC-12 Special Education Coordinators/Administrators*
- Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
*Please note that some districts require Principal certification for designated administrative positions. Students wishing to pursue Principal certification need to (1) apply to the K-12 Leadership certification program, and (2) complete additional requirements (including coursework and practicum, at a minimum).
An applicant or candidate who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. Please refer to the current State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules prescribed in §249.16 of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to Eligibility of Persons with Criminal History for a Certificate under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53, and Texas Education Code, Chapter 21). Applicants/candidates have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in Chapter 227, Subchapter B, of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility).