The MA in Special Education is a 30-unit program, offered by the Department of Special Education , that prepares candidates to be transformative educators who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to creatively and holistically meet the intersectional identities (dis/ability, race, gender, linguistic, and ethnic identities) of all learners, and who work as change agents to create equitable and inclusive environments in schools and communities in order to reimagine accessible schooling. Students complete an MA action research project in their fieldwork setting. Students may opt to complete the MA simultaneously with the Education Specialist credential.

Advisors: Dr. Andrea Golloher, Dr. Peg Hughes, Dr. Sudha Krishnan, Dr. Saili Kulkarni, and Dr. Lisa Simpson.

University Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply system and meet all the university and department admission requirements . See the GAPE Graduate Admissions website and this Catalog for general information about graduate admissions at SJSU. Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on GAPE’s Graduate Program Test Requirements webpage. For TOEFL requirements, see the Policies and Procedures section, Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Information in this Catalog.

1. CSU Apply application with statement of purpose for admission to SJSU.
2. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
3. Grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 in the last 60 units of coursework.
4. 45 hours of Pre-professional experience.
5. Certificate of Clearance (fingerprint clearance) from California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
6. Two letters of recommendation.

If completing MA simultaneously with the Education Specialist Credential must also submit:

     7. Verification of Basic Skills (met with undergraduate degree.

     8. Verification of Subject Matter Competency or California Subject Examination for Teachers - submit by end of first semester in program.

Upon review of submitted document applicants may be called for a department interview. Applicants are encouraged to attend a department information session for more information about the application process and program offerings. Students must complete each course with a B or higher and maintain a GPA of 3.0 in the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

The university requirements for advancement to candidacy  for the master’s degree are outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures  section. 
Students should seek advancement to candidacy as soon as possible for their given program and on the advice of their graduate program coordinator. Graduate students may submit a Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy form to the Graduate Admissions & Program Evaluations (GAPE) office after satisfying the following: achieved classified status; completed a minimum of nine letter-graded units with all grades “C” or higher; fulfilled the Campus Graduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (CGGWAR) requirement; achieved a minimum cumulative and program 3.0 GPA, and, graduate within the seven-year time limit for degree completion. Graduate students must submit their petition no later than one semester prior to graduating. Courses that satisfy the CGGWAR are listed in the course requirements for the program.

Program of Study Requirements

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements  section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures . Students must comply with all other graduate requirements contained in this catalog.

Culminating Experience (Plan A or Plan B)

Plan A (Thesis): EDSE 299  
Students selecting the Plan A option will write a master’s thesis. The thesis will include original research on a topic approved by the thesis committee, and must meet university requirements as stipulated in this catalog and in the SJSU Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Guidelines. Thesis proposals must be approved by the graduate committee made up of two department faculty and a third faculty member from outside the department. 
 
Plan B (Project): EDSE 220  
Students selecting the Plan B option will complete a master’s project or research paper. This a significant undertaking that evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. The final paper includes the significance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion or recommendation.