»Master of Arts in Special Education

Chapman University I Attallah College of Educational Studies

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About MA in Special Education: Education Specialists Credentials 

Mild Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) or Extensive Support Needs (ESN) 

Chapman University’s combined Master of Arts in Special Education and Education Specialist teaching credential program prepares candidates to serve children, youth, and young adults with a broad range of (dis)abilities. Through a rigorous curriculum and hands-on fieldwork, students are trained to become compassionate and effective special education professionals.

Program Mission

Chapman’s teacher education programs aim to prepare educators who:

• Use integrated, developmentally appropriate, and critical pedagogies

• Collaborate effectively within diverse educational settings

• Advocate for students across a wide spectrum of support needs

Future Educators

Chapman teacher candidates may pursue one or both of the following Education Specialist credentials:

• Mild Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)
  Authorizes teaching students with autism, emotional disturbance, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, and traumatic brain injury.

• Extensive Support Needs (ESN)
  Authorizes teaching students with moderate to severe disabilities, including autism, deaf-blindness, emotional disturbance, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, and traumatic brain injury.

View all teaching credentials offered at Chapman University.

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Why Attallah College?

• Small Class Sizes
  Low student-to-faculty ratios for personalized learning
• Flexible Schedule
  Evening classes held once a week (4 p.m. or 7 p.m.) to accommodate working professionals
• Financial Support
  Tuition assistance, fellowship opportunities, and Golden State Teacher Grant options
  
• Individualized Attention
  Tailored instruction and one-on-one support
• Hands-On Learning
  Community-based experiences that integrate coursework with student teaching
  
• Diverse Program Offerings
  Combined credential + master’s programs in elementary, secondary, special education, and music education

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Where Our Graduates Teach

Chapman’s MA in Special Education alumni are employed in districts across Southern California, including:

• Orange Unified School District
• Santa Ana Unified School District
• Tustin Unified School District
• Corona-Norco Unified School District
• Irvine Unified School District
• Los Angeles Unified School District