Special Education and Applied Disability Studies
Teach. Anyone. Anywhere.
At Mercyhurst, we continue to shape the field of special education at a national level through our service, publication, and presentation.
Mercyhurst University’s Master of Science in Special Education and Applied Disability Studies is designed to prepare highly skilled professionals who are ready to meet the diverse needs of learners in today's classrooms—in northwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. Whether completing a master’s in Special Education or seeking certification for licensure, our flexible, outcomes-driven curriculum equips you with the tools to make an immediate and lasting impact.
Our faculty are active contributors to the national conversation on special education—through service, research, and advocacy—and they bring that real-world insight directly into the classroom. At Mercyhurst, you’ll sharpen your analytical thinking, deepen your understanding of evidence-based practices, and emerge as a confident leader ready to elevate the field of special education in your school or organization.
Join us and develop the critical thinking and analytical skills you need to become a special education leader throughout your community.
Program Overview
Options: Master’s (with concentrations), graduate certificates, 4+1 for Mercyhurst undergrads
Location(s): On campus; limited online courses available
Credits: 30 to 39
Duration: Minimum 21 months
Cost: $953 (Special 639 per credit rate for PA teachers and veterans) per credit; $29,500 (26,000) total
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Start term(s): Fall or spring semester
- Criminal background check
- Fingerprinting
- Child abuse clearance
- Drug screening
- Medical verification of TB vaccination
- EDUC 501: Introduction to ABA: Behavior Interventions I (three credits)
- EDUC 502: Educational Research: Single Case Research (three credits)
- EDUC 536: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Practices (three credits)
- EDUC 640: Concepts & Principles of ABA I (three credits)
- EDUC 645: Behavior Interventions II (three credits)
- EDUC 650: FBA & Behavior Interventions III (three credits)
- EDUC 660: Concepts & Principles of ABA II (three credits)
- EDUC 673: Internship: Special Needs or EDUC 675: Capstone Clinical
- EDUC 676: Special Education Thesis
- One EDUC three-credit elective
- EDUC 501: Introduction to ABA: Behavior Interventions I (three credits)
- EDUC 502: Educational Research: Single Case
- EDUC 504: Behavior Management: Intro. to ABA & Behavior Change Clinical (one credit)
- EDUC 536: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Practices
- EDUC 540: Intro. to Autism & Clinical (four credits)
- EDUC 541: Instructional Methods, Assessment, & Clinical (four credits)
- EDUC 673: Internship: Special Needs or EDUC 675: Capstone Clinical
- EDUC 676: Special Education Thesis
- Three EDUC nine-credit electives
- WL 501: Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners (three credits)
- WL 512: Second Language Acquisition - Practicum 20 Hours (three credits)
- WL 514: Sociolinguistics (three credits)
- WL 515: Supporting Literacy for ELLs - Practicum 20 Hrs. (three credits)
- ELL 500: Teaching ESL: Issues in Theory & Practice - Practicum 20 Hrs. (three credits)
- ELL 505: Professionalism & Program Development for ELLs (three credits)
- EDUC 501: Intro to ABA: Behavior Interventions I
- EDUC 502: Educational Research: Single Case
- EDUC 536: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Practices
- EDUC 673: Internship: Special Needs or EDUC 675: Capstone Clinical
- EDUC 676: Special Education Thesis
- WL 501: Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners (three credits)
- EDUC 501: Introduction to ABA: Behavior Interventions I (three credits)
- EDUC 502: Educational Research: Single Case
- EDUC 521: Psychology of Diverse Learners - Summer (three credits)
- EDUC 522: Inclusive Practices PreK-12 - Summer (three credits)
- EDUC 531: Curriculum & Instruction: High Incidence Disabilities (three credits)
- EDUC 532: Clinical: High (one credit)
- EDUC 533: Curriculum & Instruction: Low Incidence Disabilities (three credits)
- EDUC 554: Clinical: Low (one credit)
- EDUC 535: Assessment & Data-Driven Decision Making (three credits)
- EDUC 536: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Practices (three credits)
- EDUC 675: Capstone Clinical - Student Teaching (six credits)
- EDUC 676: Special Education Thesis
This concentration prepares individuals to work as a behavior analyst within the fields of education and developmental disabilities.
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
Courses:
This concentration is for graduate students who are looking to specialize in providing special education services to students with autism. With associated clinical hours, this concentration also qualifies those who hold any Pennsylvania Department of Education Certification to add an Autism Endorsement to their certificate. This concentration is also available as a graduate certificate.
Courses:
This concentration is for graduate students who are looking to specialize in instructing English Language Learners. Our education department’s creation of the Carpe Diem Academy, in conjunction with the Erie School District, provides new opportunities for our students to interact with ELLs and witness the need for skilled educators with training in English language learning. The program is a mixture of core special education courses plus cross-listed ELL courses, including:
Courses:
After completion of the coursework, students may apply for the PDE ESL/ELD Program Special Certificate.
Courses:
- EDUC 501: Introduction to ABA: Behavior Interventions I (3 credits)
- EDUC 504: Behavior Management: Intro. to ABA & Behavior Change Clinical (1 credit)
- EDUC 540: Intro. to Autism & Clinical (4 credits)
- EDUC 541: Instructional Methods, Assessment, & Clinical (4 credits)
Mercyhurst University knows autism. Whether through unique and specialized coursework, extensive practical experiences, or innovative service delivery in the field, Mercyhurst has forged a track record of expertise in autism. This expertise has allowed us to provide top-level training for the professionals of today and tomorrow. Our program graduates have become some of the most highly regarded educators and behavior analysts in the region and beyond working with autistic students. To solidify our reputation as experts in education for this population, our Education Department has become the first in northwestern Pennsylvania approved to offer an Autism Endorsement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to any teacher or other education professional who holds a current Level I or Level II certificate.
Courses:
- EDUC 501: Introduction to ABA: Behavior Interventions I (3 credits)
- EDUC 502: Educational Research: Single Case Research (3 credits)
- EDUC 536: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Practices (3 credits)
- EDUC 640: Concepts & Principles of ABA I (3 credits)
- EDUC 645: Behavior Interventions II (3 credits)
- EDUC 650: FBA & Behavior Interventions III (3 credits)
- EDUC 660: Concepts & Principles of ABA II (3 credits)
- WL 501: Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners (Three credits)
- EDUC 501: Introduction to ABA: Behavior Interventions I (Three credits)
- EDUC 521: Psychology of Diverse Learners - Summer, online (Three credits)
- EDUC 522: Inclusive Practices PreK-12 - Summer, online (Three credits)
- EDUC 531: Curriculum & Instruction: High Incidence Disabilities (Three credits)
- EDUC 532: Clinical: High (One credit)
- EDUC 533: Curriculum & Instruction: Low Incidence Disabilities (Three credits)
- EDUC 554: Clinical: Low (One credit)
- EDUC 535: Assessment & Data-Driven Decision Making (Three credits)
- EDUC 536: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Practices (Three credits)
- EDUC 675: Capstone Clinical - Student Teaching (Six credits)
Courses:
Learning Outcomes
At Mercyhurst, we continue to shape the field of special education at a national level through our service, publication, and presentation. Join us and develop the critical thinking and analytical skills you need to become a special education leader in your community.
- Prepare for certification from the Association for Behavior Analysis
- Learn from expert faculty with decades of experience
- Explore possible career paths in special education
- Gain hands-on experience as a graduate student assistant
Why choose Mercyhurst?
Graduate with the skills to make a measurable difference.
Mercyhurst’s Special Education curriculum is designed to prepare you as a confident and capable provider of educational and behavioral services for individuals with disabilities and diverse learning needs. You’ll gain a strong foundation in research-based practices while sharpening your critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and professional ethics—key tools for today’s most effective special educators and clinicians.
Through your coursework, you’ll learn to:
- Analyze and critique current educational research.
- Design single-case research proposals in alignment with APA style.
- Evaluate and apply ethical guidelines in accordance with professional standards.
- Implement core principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
- Use evidence-based practices and assessment tools in clinical and educational settings.
- Write measurable, impactful objectives for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Develop procedures tailored to diverse disability populations using best-practice frameworks.
Whether you’re preparing for licensure or advancing your expertise, our program ensures you’re ready to lead with both skill and compassion.
Phillip J. Belfiore, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Professor of Education,
The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Office: Hirt 300B
Colleen Hordych
Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions
Meet the Education Faculty
Maria Garase, Ph.D.
Dean, The School of Social & Behavioral Sciences; Associate Professor, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Phillip Belfiore, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Education; Program Director; Graduate Special Education, Professor
Amy Bauschard, M.S.
Instructor of Early Childhood Education, Director, Mercyhurst Early Learning Innovation Academy
