Why Pursue a Master's in Special Education
The Master of Arts in Special Education enables students in all stages of their careers to gain deeper knowledge working with individuals with disabilities. Courses cover a range of topics and types of disabilities to offer depth and breadth to students’ knowledge.
The program intends to offer students the opportunity to acquire theoretical understanding and classroom/clinical experiences to develop and apply effective instructional, habilitation skills and therapeutic practices for working with individuals with disabilities and their families.
Hybrid Online Program
The Special Education (MA) is offered in a hybrid online format, giving you the flexibility to complete the program online while still accessing valuable campus resources and connections. It’s the perfect blend of convenience and connection—ideal for working professionals or anyone balancing school with a busy life.
Online Course Delivery
All courses are delivered online either asynchronously or synchronously, with access to interact with faculty and classmates.
Required Campus Experience
As part of the capstone course Seminar on Current and Critical Issues in Special Education, students will need to conduct a research synthesis of an evidence-based practice for a specific disability category (e.g., Effects of Graphic Organizers on the Reading Comprehension Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities in High School) and provide a professional development workshop for colleagues in your department and/or school.
See What Our Faculty Says
When you choose UT San Antonio, you join a community of talented students being taught by award-winning faculty. See what Dr. Kathy Ewoldt has to say.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
Please note for international students this program is almost completely online and will not satisfy requirements for a student visa. Alternative options that would meet the residential requirements include the MA in Curriculum and Instruction and the MA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
| Special Education (MA – Online) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Special Education (MA – Online) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2026 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2026 | April 1 | May 1 | |
| Fall 2026 | June 1 | August 1 | |
| Spring 2027 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2027 | April 1 | May 1 | |
Funding Opportunities
ResourcesCareer Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
Courses are offered at night once a week for three hours (6:00 PM to 8:45 PM) Monday-Thursday in the fall or spring., They are also offered during the day two hours a day Monday through Friday in the four-week summer sessions. In addition, some courses are available at night meeting Monday through Friday for three weeks in the Maymester.
This program is housed on Main Campus.
Current research focuses on using technology to promote achievement for students with disabilities.
Graduate Advisor of Record
Marissa Munoz, PhD
210-458-5969
