The Department of Special Education has multiple program areas for graduate study. These areas explore interventions and best practices for supporting those with a diverse range of disabilities throughout the lifespan.
Students in master’s programs gain experience in clinical, educational, and research-based degrees. Our degrees have pathways for a student to become a certified special education teacher or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Doctoral programs in special education are research intensive and focused on areas of specialized interest. Students work closely with faculty to research topics related to special education and to develop interventions that assist students with disabilities and their families.
Our diverse alumni network demonstrates our students’ abilities to take the skills learned from their training and bring them into the world. Our graduates have gone on to become leaders in the field of special education—using the knowledge gained at UT to improve the education and lives of individuals with disabilities in Texas, the United States, and throughout the world.
Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Our programs in Autism and Developmental Disabilities train clinicians, teachers, researchers, and leaders to work with individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorders) , their families, and the broader community to foster positive learning, supportive, and inclusive outcomes. Our master's programs feature a Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) approved course sequence.
M.Ed. M.A. Ph.D.
Early Childhood Special Education
Featuring a Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) approved course sequence at the master's level, our Early Childhood Special Education programs prepare students to become leading experts in instruction and intervention for young children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The Ph.D. program features intensive research and mentoring experiences with a focus on early language development.
M.Ed. M.A. Ph.D.
High Incidence Disabilities with Special Education Teacher Certification Option
Students in this concentration will follow a 15-month program of study to receive a master’s degree plus teacher certification. Teach students with disabilities in early childhood through 12th grade in the state of Texas. You will learn evidence-based practices for working with students with a range of disabilities.
M.Ed. M.Ed. + Teacher Certification
Learning Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders
Learn to improve the quality of education for students with disabilities. This Ph.D. program takes an interdisciplinary approach to special education by encouraging students to develop leadership, research, and practice skills by participating in studies and teaching alongside faculty.
Ph.D.
Equity and Diversity in Special Education
Focus on the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and their families from diverse socio-cultural and linguistic communities. Students will become prepared to work in higher education, leadership roles in schools, research roles in education, and as critical thought leaders in multicultural special education.
Ph.D.Contacts
Terry Falcomata, Graduate Advisor
Represents the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies and facilitates the administrative processing of admissions, matriculation, and graduation, as well as overseeing curriculum, funding, doctoral candidacy and dissertations.
Alicia Zapata, Graduate Program Administrator
Performs the administrative processing of admissions, registration, enrollment, academic appointments, scholarships, doctoral candidacy, graduation, and maintaining academic records.