Through application-based projects and practitioner-friendly assignments, you will learn to be an inclusive special educator who provides engaging and differentiated instruction to learners with diverse learning abilities. Upon completing the program, you will have enhanced knowledge and skills as a special educator ready to make a difference in the classroom for all students.
Special Education: General Curriculum K-12
This concentration leads to a master’s degree and eligibility for a license to teach
special education in kindergarten through grade 12.
Special Education: Adapted Curriculum K-12
In this concentration, you will take up to 39 hours of coursework in education and
adapted curriculum and 6 hours of internship to obtain initial licensure in special
education, adapted curriculum.
Early Childhood Special Education, 0-5 years old
This option prepares graduates to work with and advocate for infants and young children with
developmental delays and disabilities birth to five and their families in a variety
of early intervention, home and school settings.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Pre-K-12
This concentration prepares teachers to work with deaf and hard of hearing students
of all ages. You are exposed to the various communication and instructional approaches.
Blindness and Visual Impairment, Pre-K-12
This concentration is for individuals interested in a master's degree in special education
with visual impairments. Only one additional course in educational research is required
beyond the full licensure program.
How do students from Radford do professionally post-graduation?
What’s the career outlook for Special Education?
A combination of factors including GPA, personal essay, current resume, 3 professional references, official transcripts, and teaching experience will be used for determining acceptance to the graduate program in special education.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
No specific application directions.
Early Childhood Special Education
If you are currently teaching preschool-aged children with disabilities and do not
have the ECSE endorsement, send an email to Sharon L. Gilbert.
Special Education: Adapted Curriculum K-12
You must also apply to the Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Special Education Adapted Curriculum.
Please send this form to:
Annemarie Horn, Graduate Advisor and Grant Coordinator for Adapted Curriculum and
Visual Impairment
School of Teacher Education and Leadership
540-831-5140
alhorn1@radford.edu
Special Education: General Curriculum K-12
No specific application directions.
Visual Impairment
You must also apply to the Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Visual Impairment. Application to the Consortium involves submission of the application form for participation
and three essays, your updated, detailed resume, and a telephone or face-to-face interview.
All individuals who wish to take one or more courses in visual impairment must apply
to both the VI Consortium and Radford University. Please begin the application process
as soon as possible. It often takes at least 4-6 weeks for the process and you must
be accepted and have an ID number before you can be registered for classes.
Annemarie Horn, Graduate Advisor and Grant Coordinator for Adapted Curriculum and
Visual Impairment
School of Teacher Education and Leadership
540-831-5140
alhorn1@radford.edu
There are opportunities to conduct research in classrooms that can result in publishing peer-reviewed journal articles or books and presenting at professional conferences with faculty.
The Certificate in Autism Studies is another option requiring 12 credit hours. The Masters Only program is available for those interested in a non-licensure route.
The Five-Year program is for full-time students who immediately want to get their master’s degree after completing their bachelor’s degree.
99% acceptance rate
99%
acceptance rate
5 special education concentration areas
5
special education concentration areas
99% of students pass their comprehensive exam on the first try
99%
of students pass their comprehensive exam on the first try
“From the very beginning of my journey at Radford University, the staff in admissions, advisement, financial aid, professors, instructors, departmental chairs, deans, and even my peers all played a major role in my success in becoming a Special Educator. Radford University is a magnificent learning facility that refines a student by molding unique individuals like myself into awesome special educators that give 100%.”
Regina Baines '21
We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.