The Master of Arts in Education (M.A.) degree is a research-oriented degree that may be pursued by any student interested in studying issues in special education at the graduate level, whether or not holding or gaining teacher certification. It consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours (normally 10 courses) of graduate credit, including a thesis.
This advanced program of study includes rigorous study of research methods and findings that allow students to become skilled consumers and producers of research. The primary distinction of the M.A. degree program in special education is the formality of the research product, in which M.A. students conduct research culminating in a Master’s thesis.
The M.A. degree program is a non-cohort program that can be completed either part-time or full-time. New students can be admitted during any semester or term. Courses are offered only on the Athens campus and typically scheduled during the evening.
Graduates with degrees in special education find such rewarding careers as
- Teaching students with mild disabilities in public P-12 school systems
- Serving as instructional and behavioral consultants
- Serving students in alternative school settings such as the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS)
- Pursuing advanced degrees in related fields