Special Education - Graduate Programs

The Curriculum & Instruction: Special Education graduate program at Florida State prepares educators and related service professionals to identify and apply evidence-based practices. As a student here, you’ll be immersed in special education and related areas while enjoying close mentorship from our faculty. Designed for working professionals, graduates are prepared to put theory into practice. 

Currently ranked #16 in the nation among public universities by U.S. News and World Report, our Special Education program aims to train high-quality professionals who need skills and expertise to enhance the quality of life of children, youth, and adults with disabilities. Our faculty regularly produce nationally recognized research to improve outcomes for and understanding of individuals with disabilities.

Within the Special Education program, we offer on-campus master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. In the on-campus master’s program, you can specialize in:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • Teachers already licensed in the state of Florida can earn the Autism Endorsement from the Florida Department of Education. After finishing this program and earning the endorsement, you will enjoy increased marketability and new job opportunities. Demand for autism specialists continues to grow, and this specialization prepares our students for a variety of autism-related jobs.

  • Reading
  • Severe Disabilities

In the specialist and doctoral programs, you work with faculty advisors to identify an area of focus and tailor your program of study to support growth in that area. 

We regularly have funding available for master's, specialist, and doctoral students.

Please note: these are advanced programs that do not lead to teacher certification. If you wish to become certified to teach special education, please see our Special Education combined BS/MS pathway.

Interested in working with individuals with autism? Check out our online master's in Autism Spectrum Disorder and online graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder!

We also offer an online master's in Early Childhood Special Education and an online graduate certificate in Early Childhood Special Education