Special Education, MA

Piedmont University’s Master of Arts in Special Education is a 30-credit-hour program offered fully online, providing flexibility for working professionals. Graduates of this program will gain advanced expertise in:

• Specialized instructional methods for students with specific learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, and high-functioning autism
• Curriculum development and assessment for diverse learning needs
• Basic and advanced behavior management strategies
• Evidence-based approaches to collaboration and inclusion
• Special education policy and law
• Applying research to real-world teaching practices

Candidates also choose three elective courses, allowing for further specialization or endorsement. Endorsement options include the Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement, the Gifted Education Endorsement, and the Dyslexia Endorsement—all recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC).

Please note: This MA program is not designed for individuals seeking initial certification in special education or those who wish to add special education to an existing certification.

If you are an educator ready to advance in your career, Piedmont is here to help. Our MA candidates may begin in fall, spring, or summer semesters, complete courses online, and design course schedules that fit their needs.

Master of Arts (MA) degrees in education are designed for public school teachers and/or individuals who hold a valid teaching certificate or who are currently teaching in a private school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level. Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university and a copy of a valid teaching certificate or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator.* NOTE: Master of Arts (MA) degree programs do not lead to initial educator certification nor to the conversion of a non-renewable certificate (provisional or waiver certificate) to a professional certificate. Piedmont has Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and certification-only programs leading to initial certification.

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the bachelor’s degree showing all course work from all colleges and universities attended. (Piedmont University transcripts are on file.)
3. Two (2) professional references. One reference is required from a supervising administrator, and the other can be a choice of the following: a former professor, or instructor (college instructor, staff development instructor or mentor), or professional colleague
4. Copy of valid, current professional Georgia teaching certificate at the appropriate level or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. For those holding provisional certificates a copy of the current certificate and a copy of the PSC letter outlining requirements for updating to a clear-renewable certificate
   • (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)
5. Personal Affirmation Form

* These programs are for advanced certification and do not lead to a recommendation for an initial Georgia Teaching Certificate. Holders of out-of-state certificates should contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for reciprocity rules.

** Teachers using this option must have taught three out of the past five years with a professional teaching certificate in an accredited public school or private school [SACS or GAC (top two levels)] verified through submitted annual evaluations.