Master of Arts in Administration of Special Education (MAASE)

Earning a degree while working full-time or raising a family has never been more possible. Here’s why adult students are thriving and reaching their goals at SNU:

• Classes take place one night a week or completely online.
• Students focus on one class at a time before moving on to the next.
• Students study alongside other adults in similar stages of life.
• Instructors with vast amounts of industry experience guide students through courses.
• Textbooks can be delivered directly to your door at the beginning of each class.
• A supportive community of faculty, staff and classmates are here to help you on your journey toward a master’s degree.

A Special Education teacher works with students who have a range of learning, emotional, mental, or physical disabilities, adapting lessons to meet their unique needs. With a Master of Arts in Administration of Special Education from SNU, educators gain leadership skills to manage individualized education programs (IEPs), collaborate with parents and staff, and ensure compliance with educational standards. This degree prepares teachers to advocate for inclusive practices and support students’ academic and personal development.

As a veteran teacher, this program will provide you with the skills you need to move to the next level of leadership. As a new teacher, this program will not only fulfill you provisional certificate requirements but also equip you with the leadership skills that ALL special ed teachers need to be successful.

Graduates with a Master of Arts in Administration of Special Education from SNU are typically hired by public and private school districts to oversee special education programs. They may also find leadership roles in educational agencies, state departments of education, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting students with disabilities. These graduates are well-suited for positions such as special education directors, coordinators, or instructional leaders, where they manage programs, develop policies, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

A Master of Arts in Administration of Special Education from SNU prepares graduates for roles such as special education directors, program coordinators, or instructional leaders. These professionals manage special education services, oversee compliance with educational regulations, and advocate for inclusive learning environments. They can also work in school districts, state education agencies, or nonprofit organizations, where they design and implement policies to support students with disabilities.

Graduates with a Master of Arts in Administration of Special Education can expect an average salary depending on their specific role and location. For instance, special education directors typically earn around $111,947 annually, while special education coordinators/teachers earn approximately $48,497. Instructional supervisors make about $64,584 per year, and special education principals earn around $69,995 on average. These roles offer opportunities for leadership and high levels of responsibility in both public and private educational institutions.

Most importantly, all of our classes are taught by practitioners. We have less theory and more real-world topics being covered. Secondly, we offer a pathway to obtain your principal certification as well as your Master's in Special Education Administration without taking more hours.

• Face-to-Face/Zoom Courses or 100% Online
• Wednesday nights from 6-10p
• 15-20 hours per week 
• Cohort Model

The Master of Arts in Administration of Special Education program costs approximately $18,900. However, if you are in a Title I school, you should qualify for a Special Education loan forgiveness and the teaching grant, which will cover the cost of the program.

SNU has an active network of over 600 educators across Oklahoma, Texas, and the United States! Networking opportunities exist online, and while job placement is not currently offered, there are multiple opportunities for in-person networking at SNU career fairs, the annual Women in Leadership Symposium, and SNU's monthly Business and Leadership Network.

Most importantly, at SNU, you are not just a number. You are a person, and you become part of our family. You will build a strong network with your cohort that will last a lifetime.

Yes, you can transfer up to nine hours as long as your degree has not been conferred and the course meets the same requirements.

Click here and fill out the application. We have trained enrollment specialist that will walk you through the process.

Credit hours: 3 This course will focus on the implementation and characteristics of Servant Leadership in the Special Education Setting. Students will discover the importance of leadership practices, sharing power, the characteristics of a servant leader, and the barriers to servant leadership. This course will encourage learners to put the people they lead first, empower them, and help them excel by building on their strengths, unlocking their creativity, and providing them with a sense of purpose despite any exceptionality. Students will research best practices as servant leaders when working with students with disabilities, their families, teachers, and the community.

Credit hours: 3This course will include an advanced study of persons with learning disabilities. This study may include, but not be limited to, development, theoretical models, intervention, issues and trends, and legislation pertinent to this category.

Credit hours: 3 The term ‘low incidence’ includes the traditional profound diagnosis, but could also introduce students to the medical and physical needs of students with multiple disabilities. This has implications for the educational model of intervention and service delivery of programs. Advanced adaptations and structural modifications will be researched for individuals under this category.

Credit hours: 3 This course will explore the educational assessment procedures for exceptional individuals. An overview of the norm-referenced and curriculum-based measurement and observation rating skills will be introduced. Response to Intervention (RtI) will be including in this course as a part of the identification process of mild disabilities.

Credit hours: 3

This course will address the theoretical frameworks and assessments for consultation and collaboration including paraprofessionals and student families. Professional relationships with teaching faculty will be targeted as academic and behavioral supports are needed to ensure student success.

Credit hours: 3

This course will conduct an analysis of research-based intervention strategies for students with varying disabilities. Content will include, but not be limited to literary and reading comprehension, written composition, and mathematics. Portfolio and curricular options will also be a component of the course. There will be an emphasis on Reading Assessment and Instruction in this course.

Credit hours: 3 This course will explore the introductory knowledge of current research in applied behavior analysis, the application of learning theories and examine functional relationships. This course will include the creation of behavioral/learning plans to optimize the success of student learners with disabilities.

Credit hours: 3 This course will begin the process of building a working network of state and local agencies that assist in the transition planning stages for students with disabilities. Guest speakers representing agencies and their specific services will provide teachers with helpful information for parents and caregivers as the process requires early planning and direction.

Credit hours: 3 This course will deepen the knowledge of assistive technology with the overview of assistive technology for communication, education, employment, recreation, and daily living activities. Developing modifications for students as they identify their least restrictive environment will be a priority for this course. This focuses on planning for student needs, evaluating, and implementing student plans by establishing appropriate classroom adaptations/modifications for students with disabilities.

Credit hours: 3 Sped Law is a moving target as far as proficiency. Case studies designed around the basic premise of the federal law will add to the instructional strength of this course. This course will include the analysis and practical application of legal and ethical issues in the field of special education.

Credit hours: 6 This course strengthens the specific special education federal and state policy and procedural knowledge required for leadership within the area of special education administration. This course will include working with federal programs and school finance.

Credit hours: 3 Three hours will be a practicum that is embedded into coursework throughout the program. The practicum will include activities focused on topics such as analysis of the organizational structure in Special Education program, methodologies, behavior modification and curriculum, test eligibility and assessment, contemporary issues outside of typical families, socialization, teacher burnout, recruiting special education teachers, survival toolkits, education camps, supporting teachers in class, communications, visual schedules, autism, differentiating instruction, IEPs, accommodations, etc.