Revised Summer 2025
Welcome to the Master's Degree program in Special Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We are pleased you have chosen to join our graduate community of learners dedicated to optimizing the social and educational outcomes of persons with disabilities and their families.
Collectively, the faculty members in Special Education have knowledge and experience that reflects a full range of disabilities and ages (birth to 21 years). Furthermore, the faculty members include researchers who are nationally recognized for their work in critical issues impacting quality education for students with disabilities, and instructors who have received recognition for their outstanding teaching qualities. Our aim is to help you gain the knowledge and expertise in this graduate program that will help you take leadership roles in your community, modeling and advocating for quality education and community opportunities for all students with disabilities and their families. A listing of the faculty and associated areas of expertise, along with contact information, is available here.
This handbook contains procedures and requirements for the Master's Degree program in Special Education and is intended as a resource for our graduate students. The handbook does not replace the information available to students in the UNL Graduate Catalog or the Department website. All students are advised to bookmark the webpages for Steps to Degree Completion.
Nothing in this handbook is intended to supplant information contained in the UNL Graduate Catalog. Each student is responsible for being familiar with the information presented in the Graduate Catalog, and for knowing and observing all regulations and procedures relating to the program they are pursuing. In no case will the Graduate College waive regulations or grant exceptions because a student pleads ignorance or contends that they were not informed of the regulations or procedures of the UNL Graduate College.
Special Education programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Council for Exceptional Children, and approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.