Special Education Accelerated Graduate Pathway

Pathway Highlights

Complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as few as five years.
Take advantage of a time-saving & cost-saving pathway for highly motivated undergraduate students looking ahead to graduate school.
Save up to 18 credits worth of fees, tuition, and expenses.
Declare any undergraduate major to be eligible for the pathway.
Begin your special education career sooner with both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in hand.
Qualify for certification through the Maine Department of Education to teach students with mild-to-moderate disabilities in grades K-8 or 7-12.

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How the pathway works

During your final two years of undergraduate study, you’ll begin taking graduate-level Special Education courses — if you meet progress standards. The graduate-level courses will satisfy credit requirements for your undergraduate major as well as the Special Education graduate program.

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Select any major

Each of our undergraduate majors is eligible to enroll in the Accelerated Graduate Pathway leading to Initial Certification in Special Education (MS). Please be advised that some majors that require 70 credits or more will extend the normal timeline for the pathway.

Browse majors

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Planning to study online?

Our Special Education MS program is fully online. If you would like to complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees fully online, we recommend you select the Social and Behavioral Sciences major, which is also fully online.

Learn more

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Program requirements

You’ll be required to earn a grade of B or higher in all Special Education courses and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. You can submit the pathway application as soon as you have reached Junior standing.

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Admission to Special Education master’s program

During your undergraduate studies, you will be required to submit the graduate program application along with all required admission materials. Your Academic Advisor will provide guidance on submitting your application.

View application process

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About our Special Education MS program

This degree is designed for individuals seeking certification to teach students with disabilities. Graduates are qualified for initial certification to teach students with mild-to-moderate disabilities in grades K-12 through the Maine Department of Education.

Explore Special Education MS

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Frequently asked questions

Our Accelerated Graduate Pathways offer highly motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate study while completing their bachelor’s degree.

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Next steps

Our helpful admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services. We also invite you to explore the many ways to visit campus or to engage with us through online experiences.

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Please note: You must enroll at the University before declaring this pathway. You can submit the pathway application as soon as you have reached Junior standing. Current USM students should contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress.