Special Education Master’s (M.Ed.) and Graduate Certification Options
Currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.
Earn recommendation for endorsement for teacher licensure with the New Hampshire Department of Education as a Special Education Teacher (Grades K-12), in the Graduate Licensure only Program or go beyond with a Master’s in Special Education. The program emphasizes collaboration and hands-on application of skills using a clinical-based cohort model**. The Special Education program is approved by the NH Department of Education and Nationally Recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.
Complete a master’s in one year, full-time, or in two years, part-time. The 34-credit M.Ed. makes the most of a student’s expertise and leadership potential in Special Education. The Graduate Certification Option, Licensure Only, consists of 24 credits of licensure coursework that can be completed within a single year.
Our licensure programs in Special Education require supervised clinical experiences. Keene State faculty serve as clinical supervisors for these placements so applicants for these programs are limited to our geographic region. Applicants must live within the New England region to be considered for these licensure programs. Within New England, graduate program coordinators will evaluate whether requirements can be met for the specific applicant before admitting them to the program.
Become a Special Education Teacher through one of these programs
Master of Education degree:
- Option 1 - M.Ed. in Special Education with recommendation for endorsement to NH Department of Education for the Special Education Teacher (K-12) license (34 credits)
- Option 2 - M.Ed. in Special Education Non-licensure for those who currently hold the Special Education Teacher (K-12) license (30 credits)
Graduate Educator Certification Program: with endorsement for NH Department of Education Special Education Teacher (K-12) license (24 credits)
Benefits of a Keene State M. Ed. degree in Special Education
- Complete an M.Ed. with special education licensure in one year. Start in the summer term and complete your master’s degree the following May.
- Coursework is directly applied to field settings and connected to best practices based on the Council for Exceptional Children’s standards.
- During the school year, licensure courses are scheduled for after-work in late afternoons or weekday evenings.
- Year-long intensive internship experience in a public school setting.
- One-on-one collaboration with faculty. Allows for accelerated, experiential learning and school-based research. Two 400-hour internships, one in the fall and one in the spring.
- An exceptional tuition value. Tuition and fees competitive with and lower than surrounding schools with a minimal premium for non-residents
- A highly regarded faculty. Classes are held in one of New Hampshire’s most comfortable, friendly, and exciting small cities
- After graduation, Keene State College’s Educator Preparation Office assists with paperwork to help you obtain licensure/certification in other states.
- Individual attention from admissions interview to graduation and beyond.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher with 2.50 GPA. A GPA below a 2.50 may be considered when certain conditions are met. Preference given to candidates with GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Candidates must be employed at least half-time in an approved educational setting or be enrolled in an approved internship for the duration of the program. Candidates for the M.Ed. in Special Education, Non-licensure option must hold a permanent state teaching license.
- Passed the New Hampshire Basic Academic Skills Assessment and demonstrated their knowledge of the Professional Education Standards.
- All candidates for Graduate Education Programs are required to complete an application, interview, essay, and provide three recommendations.
Program Information for Master’s in Special Education options can be found Here
Program Information for the Special Education Graduate Certificate - Licensure only option can be found Here
For more information see Graduate Studies, email GraduateStudies@keene.edu or call 603-358-2378.
