Master of Special Education Online FAQs 

Entrance exams are not required for admission to Arcadia's master's degree program. You can learn additional requirements on the program admissions page.

Test scores are not required for admission to this master's degree program. You can learn more about how to apply on the program admissions page.

The first step is to start your application. Learn more by visiting the program admissions page. 

Prior work experience is not required. You can learn more by vising the program admissions page.

Yes, transfer credits are accepted for this program.

Up to six transfer credits may be accepted for the non-certification track. Transfer credits for the certification track transfer credits will vary but could be up to half of all course credit.

Applications are accepted year-round for starts in spring, summer, and fall. You can begin your application now. 

You'll need a GPA of 3.0 to apply to the program. If your GPA is lower than 3.0, you can still apply but will need to submit a personal statement explaining why. For more details, visit the program admissions page.

Admission requirements include official transcripts, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. Learn more on the program admissions page.

Arcadia offers three starts per year in spring, summer, and fall and applications are accepted year-round. You can begin your application now. 

Students who choose the certification track can pursue PK-12 special education licensure in the state of Pennsylvania upon program completion. Those who already hold a teaching license before completing the program will be prepared to pursue leadership opportunities in their school or district. Graduates of the non-certification track who do not already hold a teaching license can pursue roles such as education advocate or teaching assistant.

Learn more by visiting the careers page.

Graduates of the program who choose the certification track are qualified to pursue special education licensure in Pennsylvania. You can learn more by visiting the careers page.

You'll complete 33-55 credits to earn your degree. Students in the non-certification track complete 33 credit hours and students in the certification track complete 55 credit hours. You can learn more on the courses page.

You'll complete 11 courses if you choose the non-certification track and 18 courses (including 2 fieldwork courses) if you choose the certification track. Learn more about curriculum on the courses page.

This program offers a certification track for students who wish to pursue PK-12 special education teaching licensure in Pennsylvania. A non-certification track is also available for those who already hold initial licensure or those whose professional goals lie outside of classroom teaching. 

Yes, you must choose either the certification or non-certification track. For more information, visit the courses page. 

No, this program does not follow a cohort model — you may take courses in the order you choose as long as prerequisites are met.

This program is only available online, allowing you to study in the times and locations that are best for you throughout your entire program.

Those pursuing the certification track will complete seven to nine hours per week in a special education setting. In addition, they will complete a graduate practicum of full-time student teaching. The practicum meets the Pennsylvania certification requirement of 12 weeks of student teaching. Practicum hours are completed in the student’s home state, in classrooms or other educational spaces.

This program is offered part-time to provide maximum flexibility for working professionals. To review the curriculum, view our courses page.

This program is designed for professionals who work full-time and is offered with part-time scheduling. To review the curriculum, view our courses page.

Time to completion depends on the track you choose. Non-certification students can complete the program in one year and certification students can complete the program in two years. To review the curriculum, view our courses page.

If something interrupts your course of study, you do not have to worry about losing credit for completed courses. You have five full years to complete the degree. To see the curriculum, visit our courses page.

Tuition is $765 per credit hour. You will complete 33-55 credit hours for a total tuition of $25,245-$42,075. You can learn more about costs and fees on the tuition page.

Depending on the track you choose, tuition for the program is $25,245-$42,075 total. Learn more about program costs on the tuition page.

There is a graduate fee of $50 per semester and a technology fee of $100 per semester. You can learn more about all tuition fees on the program tuition page.