SPECIAL EDUCATION AND APPLIED DISABILITY STUDIES
GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The graduate programs in Special Education and Applied Disability Studies at Mercyhurst University will give you the skills and knowledge to transform the lives of students and adults with mild to severe disabilities across a variety of settings. These programs are designed to assist providers of educational and behavioral services to refine their critical thinking and analytical skills to the highest level, and develop applied research competencies necessary to create innovations in education and behavioral services that benefit individuals with disabilities or unique learning needs.

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: $830 per credit; $26,750-$34,000 total
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Start term(s): Fall or Spring semester
Careers: Teaching, behavioral health, autism support, developmental disability services

The Special Education and Applied Disability Studies graduate program seeks to produce the most skilled special education professionals in the region. Mercyhurst strives to be the school of choice for those seeking a program that challenges them to think critically about trends in education while providing them with evidence-based effective approaches. We continue to shape the field nationally through service, publication, and presentation. By pursuing this degree, you’ll be prepared to work with clients in a wide range of potential settings, living out the Mercyhurst Education Department’s philosophy to “Teach Anyone. Anywhere.”

Master's degree and graduate certificate options are available to students whether or not they hold a teaching certification.* Educational opportunities include the master's degree (30-39 credits) with several concentrations, as well as graduate certificates (9-12 credits), which can lead to specific licensure or a PDE Endorsement.

*Please note: Those seeking special education teaching certification from the PDE must hold a teaching certification in another area, such as early childhood, middle level, or secondary education. Please peruse the program offerings below to find the program that's right for you.

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Learning Outcomes

Mercyhurst graduate programs are designed to give our students a competitive edge in the marketplace. Our curriculum will prepare you as an educator who is able to:

Analyze and critique educational research
Design a single-case research proposal using APA writing style
Critically evaluate and apply the ethical guidelines according to special education practice standards
Apply dimensions of applied behavior analysis
Utilize evidenced-based practices and assessments in clinical settings
Write measurable objectives, such as those found in an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Write procedures for evidenced-based practices across disability groups and lifespans

To obtain a Master’s Degree in Special Education at Mercyhurst, students must complete a core of 30-39 graduate credit hours. Credit hour requirements may vary depending on concentration selected. The program may be completed in 24 months (full-time), or 30-36 months (part-time).

If a student is seeking special education teaching certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, he or she must also hold teaching certification in another area, such as early childhood education (grades PK-4), middle level education (grades 4-8), or a specific content area in secondary education (grades 7-12).

Candidates who do not already hold a valid teaching certification may have to take prerequisite or co-required courses in addition to the required special education graduate courses. This will affect the length of the program from start to finish. Additionally, there may be cases where exceptions to the following sequences may be made, based on previous related coursework.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

This concentration prepares individuals to work as behavior analyst within the fields of education and developmental disabilities.

Courses:

EDSP 640 Basic Principles of Behavior
EDSP 650 Functional Assessment and Intervention Development
EDSP 660 Advanced Seminar: Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Disability Service in Higher Education

As a growing number of students with disabilities seek to continue their education in postsecondary settings—both traditional four-year college settings as well as one- and two-year certificate/vocational settings—skilled professionals are needed to lead the way in this growing field. This concentration will prepare you to provide disability services in higher education and post-secondary education, with the opportunity to get hands-on experience working with staff and students in Mercyhurst’s nationally recognized Learning Differences program and the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst.

Courses:

EDSP 531: Curriculum and Instruction: High Incidence Disability
EDSP 532: Supervised Clinical Experience I (25 hours required in LDP or AIM program)
EDSP 533: Curriculum and Instruction: Low Incidence Disability
EDSP 534: Supervised Clinical Experience II (25 hours required in OASIS program)
EDSP 673: Internship (required in LDP, AIM, or OASIS program)
One EDSP elective

Autism

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:

EDSP 540 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
EDSP 541 Instructional Assessment and Methods: ASD
EDSP 501 Behavior Management: Intro to ABA and Behavior Change

English Language Learners

This concentration is for graduate students who are looking to specialize in instructing English Language Learners (ELLs). Our education department’s recent creation of the Carpe Diem Academy, in conjunction with the Erie School District, is creating 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 course plus cross-listed ELL courses including:

Courses:

WL 501 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
WL 512 Second Language Acquisition (with 20 hour practicum)
ELL 514 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
ELL 515 Supporting Literacy for English Language Learners (with 20 hour practicum)
ELL 500 Teaching English as a Second Language: Issues in Theory and Practice (with 20 hour practicum)
ELL 505 Professionalism and Program Development for English Language Learners

After completion of the coursework, students may apply for the PDE ESL/ELD Program Special Certificate.

Applied Behavior Analysis

The graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis is designed to meet the educational requirements for certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. This 6-course sequence and associated practicum focuses on integrating research, basic principles, and specialized coursework with fieldwork in the areas of intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and behavioral health. Prospective students will have a choice to complete either the certificate alone, or as a concentration while pursuing a graduate degree in Special Education. Click here for more information.

PDE Autism Endorsement/Graduate Certificate in Autism

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 students with autism. To solidify our reputation as experts in education for this population, the University's Education Department has become the first program 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. Click here for more information.

Available to qualified Mercyhurst undergraduate students, the M.S. in Special Education 4+1 program allows students to begin earning graduate credits during their junior year at no additional cost. Students starting the 4+1 program in the fall of their junior years can earn up to six credits, saving more than $5,000. Learn More.

Career Paths

Depending on your concentration of choice, our special education program prepares you for careers related to:

Behavioral health and analysis
Developmental disability services
Autism support
Postsecondary academic support and career services
English as a second language education
Traditional special education

Admissions Requirements

Prospective applicants for the Master of Science in Special Education and Applied Disability Studies must fulfill the following admissions requirements. At the discretion of the program director, admission may be granted to applicants who have not fulfilled all the admissions requirements provided they agree to the conditions of the acceptance prescribed by the director.
Admission decisions are made by the program director on a rolling basis after a holistic review. Applicants can choose to start in the Fall semester (preferred), the Spring semester, or the Summer semester.

Completed (free) online application
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited school with a preferred overall minimum GPA of 3.0
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended
A current resume
A 500- to 750-word personal statement outlining your reasons for enrolling and personal and professional goals
A letter of recommendation from a professional or academic source (such as an employer or professor)
International applicants whose records are written in a language other than English must have their documents translated into English and a notarized statement attesting to the accuracy of the translations
International applicants whose primary language is not English must attain a TOEFL score of at least 79 on the internet-based exam OR an IELTS score of at least 6.5 OR a Duolingo English Test score of no less than 100.
Please note: for those seeking special education certification or ABA certification, during the course of your program it will be necessary for you to undergo the following:
- Criminal background check
- Fingerprinting
- Child abuse clearance
- Drug screening
- Medical verification of TB vaccination

Professional Education Portfolio Credits

Students currently employed in the field of special education and disabilities services may earn academic credit for life experience by completing a Professional Education Portfolio (PEP). The PEP documents the student’s ability to interpret learning outcomes and how they are assessed, consider methods in which the learning outcomes can be addressed (i.e., outside the traditional university course), and critically examine their own prior professional learning opportunities. Once the PEP has sufficiently met course outcomes as outlined in EDSP 536 and EDSP 623, a maximum of six credits for life experience will be earned by the student.

Cost and Financial Aid

Mercyhurst graduate programs are competitively priced. Our goals it to provide you with an education that earns you an excellent return on your investment.

Tuition for the M.S. in Special Education graduate program is $804 per credit (2019/20 school year rates).

Estimated total program cost for the M.S. in Special Education ranges from $26,000 to $33,000.

Students in the M.S. in Special Education program are eligible for several graduate assistant positions in educational settings throughout Erie County. Graduate assistantships help offset tuition charges and provide students with a stipend for their work. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.

Learn more about available financial aid for graduate programs including: