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M.S. in Special Education
  • Semesters to completion: 3
  • Fieldwork hours: 150
  • Fisher family:1

M.S. in Special Education: Severe or Multiple Disabilities

The graduate-level special education program at Fisher prepares teachers for distinguished careers in special education. Online courses provide a deeper understanding of special education laws and best practices, with a focus on students with severe or multiple disabilities.

A Fisher students reads to children in a classroom.

Applicants to the program must hold initial teacher certification in special education, students with disabilities, blind and visually impaired, or deaf and hard of hearing. The program includes a four-course module to build teacher-leader skills in special education.

Program Overview

The 30 credit hour (10 classes) master's program features integrated coursework and a practicum that leads to a Master of Science in Special Education, a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Special Educational Leadership, and an annotation in Severe or Multiple Disabilities. Materials within classes are tailored to fit the specific grade levels (childhood or adolescence) you will teach. The program is offered in an online format and can be completed in one calendar year.

Life After Fisher

The M.S. in Special Education prepares you to advance as a special education teacher and leader.

 I loved each field placement and it was in these field experiences that I gathered many of the resources I use in my own classroom today. ”


Kimberly Brown
  • Kimberly Brown '16
  • ELA Teacher, Rochester City School District

 My favorite thing about the program was moving through my classes with my cohort. The structure of the program allowed us to really become close and support one another, and our diversity added so much to my learning and professional connections. ”


Abigail Jones
  • Abigail Jones '14
  • Special Education Teacher, Indian Landing Elementary School

 Teaching has always been a dream of mine, and thanks to the wonderful professors in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, I get to have that dream come true every day. ”


Kerri Kephart
  • Kerri Kephart '16
  • 6th Grade Science Teacher, Greece Athena Middle School

 I would highly recommend Fisher’s graduate education program as I believe it is a well-rounded, current, and carefully curated experience that will prepare anyone for the realities of teaching. ”


Adam Tatar
  • Adam Tatar '09
  • Director of Instruction and Student Services at Kendall Central School District