Who should apply?
Prospective students of George Mason’s MEd in Special Education come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. Many students find special education through their experiences as a substitute teacher, instructional assistant, provisionally licensed teacher, or as professionals from completely different fields who are supporting a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Why choose George Mason?
- George Mason University’s online graduate program is part-time, which allows for busy professional and family schedules while providing a high-quality, immersive student experience.
- Students choose between two graduate certificate tracks in Autism Spectrum Disorders or Applied Behavior Analysis. Standalone certificates are also offered.
- An experienced faculty of distinguished scholar-practitioners delivers an education informed by extensive academic and professional experience.
Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the University Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.
Requirements: 30 total credit hours
Most courses for George Mason’s online MEd in Special Education are offered in convenient, online, asynchronous and synchronous (i.e. real time virtual participation) formats. Students complete four foundational classes in conjunction with courses in a selected area of focus. Two tracks are available allowing students to earn a graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders or Applied Behavioral Analysis, along with their MEd in Special Education.
Core Courses:
EDSE 501 Introduction for Special Education
EDSE 517 Computer Applications for Special Populations
EDSE 590 Special Education Research
Capstone:
EDSE 590 involves a research application project applying key concepts from multiple courses throughout the program.
Autism Track Courses for MEd in Special Education
EDSE 634 Characteristics of Individuals with Autism
EDSE 620 Supporting the Behavior and Sensory Needs of Individuals with Autism
EDSE 635 Interventions for Individuals with Autism
EDSE 636 Supporting Communication and Literacy for Individuals with Autism
EDSE 637 Autism Across the Lifespan: Collaboration with Critical Partners
EDSE 638 Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues in Assessment and Intersectionality
*Students on the Autism track will need to take either EDAT 524 or EDSE 619 to reach 30 credit hours.
ABA Track Courses for MEd in Special Education
EDSE 619 Applied Behavior Analysis: Principles, Procedures, and Philosophy
EDSE 621 Applied Behavior Analysis: Empirical Bases
EDSE 622 Philosophical and Conceptual Issues in Behavior Analysis
EDSE 623 Applied Behavior Analysis: Assessments and Interventions
EDSE 624 Applied Behavior Analysis: Applications
EDSE 625 Applied Behavior Analysis: Verbal Behavior
EDSE 664 Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysis
Tuition & Fees (2024-2025):
Tuition is $805 per credit hour. An additional charge of $35 per credit hour applies for a Distance Learning fee.
Financial Aid:
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.
A study by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)™ suggests a steep increase in the number of qualified behavior analysts needed internationally. According to a 2009 survey by the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), most individuals are working full-time.
Graduates are prepared for a broad range of special education and administrative positions in schools, private practice, social service agencies, and to support at-home learning needs. George Mason’s online MEd in Special Education provides two specialized graduate certificate tracks in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialists: work with children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in school, home and community settings. George Mason’s online special education graduate program is unique in that it emphasizes working with individuals with autism across their lifespans, from childhood to adolescence; adulthood to advanced ages.
The Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate track is ideal for:
- School Administrators
- Interventionists
- Psychologists
- Speech and Language Pathologists
- Behavior Analysts
- Physical and Occupational Therapists
- Family Members Touched By Autism
Applied Behavior Analysts: are devoted to understanding all human behavior and are trained to make behavioral improvements for a broad range of students, both with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) graduate certificate track is ideal for:
- Registered Behavior Technicians
- Teachers, Psychologists and Other Providers Who Work With:
- Children and Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
- Children in General and Special Education
- People with Psychiatric Conditions and Disabilities
- Families
- People who Work in the Following Settings:
- Community Programs
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Schools
If you are unable to find the answers to your questions, submit a Request Information form or contact our admissions representative via the contact information below.
Phone: 703-348-5006
Email: online2@gmu.edu
How do I apply?
Submit an online application to begin the admissions process for the online special education degree program. Be sure to apply for the MEd or Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis by spring of 2025 so that you have time to complete this online program before it is replaced by our new MS in Behavior Analysis program in 2026. You can apply for the MEd or Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders at any time. If you have other questions, please see the FAQs below.
Admissions FAQs
What is ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a discipline devoted to understanding all human behavior and making behavioral improvements through the application of empirically validated, scientific methodology to real-world problems and solutions. George Mason’s Applied Behavior Analysis online graduate certificate is markedly different from the Autism Spectrum Disorders program; its application isn’t limited to special education or for people who have disabilities.
What is the workload like?
The MEd in Special Education online program with the supporting ABA graduate certificate involves video lectures and YouTube videos, guest speakers, discussion boards, attendance at workshops, Behavior Development Solutions (BDS) Modules, and interactive educational games (e.g., Quizlet, Inter-teaching, Class Dojo for engagement). Extension resources are available and clarifying lectures help to answer questions from students.
The MEd in Special Education online program with the supporting Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate involves lectures, video-based case studies, guest speakers, discussion boards, interactive educational activities (e.g., Popplet, Padlet, collaborative case studies). Extension resources are available and clarifying lectures help to answer questions from students.
What are the requirements for admission?
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent and a GPA of 3.0 GPA or higher is required for admission. No testing is required for admission, but test score equivalencies from SAT, ACT, Praxis, etc. may be used to compensate for a slightly lower GPA. All prospective students must adhere to university standards for English proficiency and degree equivalency.
Field experience (internship or practicum) is not required; simulations and application activities are built into coursework.
What accreditation does George Mason have?
George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
How long does it take to complete the program?
The online MEd in Special Education includes 30 credit hours and can be completed in 24 months, including the graduate certificate tracks. When pursued independently, the 18-credit ASD and 21-credit ABA graduate certificates can be completed in one year.
Please note that the MEd and Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis will no longer accept applications past spring of 2025, so that you can finish your program before it is replaced by our new MS in Behavior Analysis in 2026. The MEd and Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders will be unaffected by this change.
Can I transfer credits from another University?
Transfer of similar courses from an accredited U.S. college or university may be possible on a case-by-case basis for the online MEd in Special Education. Transfer credit policies are included in the University Catalog.
When are classes offered?
Classes for the MEd and Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders will be offered online on a rolling basis.
Classes for the MEd and Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis will be offered through the end of 2026, when the programs will be removed. Be sure to apply by spring of 2025 if you’re interested in these.
Where can I find course descriptions?
Course descriptions for the MEd in Special Education are available in the University Catalog.
What tuition assistance is available?
George Mason’s Office of Student Financial Aid provides information on potential scholarships and aid packages for the online MEd in special education program.
How do I receive additional Information?
Prospective students can complete an online request for information form.
How much does it cost to apply?
While there is a $75 application fee, there are multiple times throughout the year that the fee may be waived.
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