Special Education (MSEd)

Admission Requirements:

1. Completed Graduate Studies Application
2. $36.00 (non-refundable) application fee
3. Two letters of Recommendation
4. Official undergraduate transcript showing your degree awarded
   • 2.75 GPA from an accredited institution 
5. Verified teaching certification

Students who graduate with an undergraduate Special Education (BSEd)  degree from NSU, and who have taken SPED 510 , SPED 517 , SPED 520 , SPED 531 , and SPED 560  can complete the Special Education (MSEd) degree in one year (Fall, Spring, Summer semesters.) Students who graduate with an undergraduate Special Education (BSEd)  degree from NSU, and who have taken SPED 521 , SPED 523 , SPED 524 , SPED 525 , and SPED 534  can complete the Special Education - Visual Impairments Specialization (MSEd) degree in one year (Fall, Spring, Summer semesters.)

Program Overview:

Northern State University’s M.S.Ed. in Special Education is designed for current K-12 teachers, both special educators seeking deeper expertise and general classroom teachers who want to transition into special education and diversify their skills. The program enhances preparation for supporting students with diverse learning abilities and behavioral needs through evidence-based instruction, curriculum development, legal and ethical practice, and inclusion strategies. Students can choose to specialize in visual impairments or pursue a broader focus in special education. For those specializing in visual impairments, Northern State collaborates closely with the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, located in a brand-new facility adjacent to campus, to provide practicum experiences that ensure skills are applied in real classroom settings.