Special Education (M.Ed.)

Institutional Accreditation

Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation

Getting Started

Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.

• Submit an FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
• Official academic transcripts from every college or university attended
• Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) or equivalent foreign institution.
• A minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours accrued to the undergraduate degree OR a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• An in-person, phone or virtual interview if GPA is below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• One-page personal statement about your career and personal goals connected with pursuing graduate work in special education. This statement should explain your motivation for pursuing a master's degree in special education.
• International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
• Performance in courses taken in other graduate degrees and/or non-degree seeking post-baccalaureates will be taken into consideration for admission.

Official transcripts, test scores and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:

Email address: grad_docs@fgcu.edu

Mailing address:10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565

Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum 36 credits.
• A grade of B or higher must be earned in all College of Education (COE) graduate courses used as prerequisites and each program course.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in program.
• Students must complete and pass a culminating demonstration of learning and competence at the end of the program. These may include comprehensive examinations, portfolios, special practicum projects, or research projects. (Students seeking certification must fully demonstrate Educator Accomplished Practices.)
• The COE limits the transfer of coursework into its graduate programs to a maximum of 12 credits or three courses. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B and no more than seven years prior to the date of entry into the graduate program and no more than ten years prior to graduation from the graduate program.
• Submit an application for graduation by the semester deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
• Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
• Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree through FGCU. 

Program Requirements

1. Required Courses in the Major (36 credits)
     EBD 6215 AdvTheories&Prac in BehavDisor (3)
     EDF 6481 Foundations of Ed Research (3)
     EEX 5752 Work w/Fam: Pluralistic Persp (3)
     EEX 6025 Foundations of Special Educ (3)
     EEX 6222 AdvPsychoEd Assess-Excep Stud (3)
     EEX 6245 TransProg-Adol&Young ExcepStu (3)
     EEX 6248 Instr Approaches for Excp Pops (3)
     EEX 6612 Mgmt &Motiv Excep &at-RiskStud (3)
     EEX 6732 Consult & Collab in Spec Ed (3)
     EEX 6939 AdvSem: Paradigms,Prac & Pol (taken in last semester) (3)
     ELD 6015 AdvTheo/Prac-Spec LearnDisab (3)
     EMR 6052 AdvTheories&Prac-Intel Dis (3)

Total Credits Required: 36 HRS