Special Education

Pursue a MEd in Special Education focusing on interventions or a MEd in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician certification. Both programs offer 100% online coursework.

To pursue the MEd in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician certification, a valid teaching certificate and at least three years of teaching experience are required. 

And if you're working ahead, take a look at the new Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's in Special Education.

For initial teacher certification, see the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT).

Teacher Education Course Rotation

Degree Plan - MEd in Special Education

Degree Plan - MEd in Special Education (Diagnostician)

Contacts

The 100% online Educational Diagnostician certification program provides a path for graduate students to pursue Educational Diagnostician certification in compliance with the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Educational Diagnosticians are highly-trained specialists with skills to assess academic, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral needs of students and to work with teachers to recommend accommodations, modifications and interventions based on assessment results.

Diagnosticians work closely with parents of students being evaluated and special educators, school psychologists and other specialized personnel (e.g., speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists) to ensure all students, including those with disabilities, receive appropriate and effective services based on individualized needs. 

For more information, see the Educational Diagnostician Handbook.

Certificate Plan - Educational Diagnostician Certification

Contact

Maria Peterson-Ahmad, PhD
Associate Professor
mpeterson3@twu.edu 
940-898-2214

The PhD in Special Education is offered in person through a cooperative program of the Federation of North Texas Area Universities, allowing students to access faculty, library, computer facilities and research opportunities at both Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas.

Research coursework and experiences are major emphases of the TWU doctoral program in special education. Those experiences include designing, conducting and disseminating new knowledge gained through firsthand examination of special education issues.

Graduates typically assume leadership positions in public and private schools, higher education institutions and federal, state and local agencies.

For more information, see the PhD in Special Education Handbook.

Teacher Education Course Rotation

Degree Plan - PhD in Special Education

Contact

Randa Keeley, PhD
Associate Professor
rkeeley@twu.edu 
940-898-2278

Program Contacts

Ph.D. in Special Education

Randa Keeley, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Special Education
(940) 898-2278
rkeeley@twu.edu

M.Ed. in Special Education seeking Educational Diagnostician Certification

Maria Peterson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Special Education
(940) 898-2267
mpeterson3@twu.edu

M.Ed. in Special Education

Minkowan Goo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Special Education
(940) 898-2047
mgoo@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall – August 1
Spring – December 1
Summer – May 1

Admission Requirements

• Minimum 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of study
• Resume/CV (Uploaded to graduate application)
• 2 letters of recommendation for M.Ed. or 3 letters of recommendation for Ph.D. addressing applicant's academic capabilities and suitability for the degree program (Name, email, and phone number for recommenders entered into graduate application. Required for Summer and Fall 2024 applicants only.)
• Statement of Intent (Uploaded to the graduate application.)
• Valid teaching certificate (M.Ed. and Post-master's Diagnostician programs only.)
• Teaching Service Record (M.Ed. and Post Master's Diagnostician programs only)
• Writing Sample - PhD only
• Interview - PhD only

Note: Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 applicants to the Diagnostician programs will submit copies of teaching certificate and teaching service record to the program director via email at the address shown above. Beginning with Spring 2025 applicants the teaching certificate and teaching service record will be uploaded to the graduate application.

For additional information about the program, please see the Department of Teacher Education. For additional information about obtaining educator certification for candidates who already have a bachelor’s degree, please contact TWU’s Office of Educator Preparation Services and visit the Master of Arts in Teaching and Post-Baccalaureate Initial Teaching Certification websites.

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application.
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - Payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 304 Administration Drive, Suite 102, Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
   3. Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (down the hall in ACT).
   4. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   5. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.