Exceptional Student Education (MS)

School of Education, Leadership and Human Development

Program Overview Exceptional Student Education (MS)

Do you have a passion for learning, helping people, and teaching? Do you believe you can make a difference by challenging young children to learn in spite of their disabilities? If you do, then you must explore the educational opportunities offered by the Department of Exceptional Student Education at Barry University. 

The graduate Exceptional Student Education (ESE) degree programs at Barry University are designed for working professionals by offering courses in the evening.

Special tuition rates are offered for educators. Students may also qualify for tuition reimbursement from the State of Florida and local school districts.

View Curriculum Graduation Requirements

This program is designed for candidates who want to work with children and youth with mild disabilities (both academic and behavioral) in grades K-12.

Graduate students choose to study ESE at Barry because:

  • There is an insufficient number of exceptional student education teachers in the southeast tri-county areas of South Florida (i.e., Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties).
  • Barry's ESE programs are designed to prepare all graduate students with a quality education that is based on high standards and academic rigor. Instructional methods and course content are based on best practices and research.
  • ESE faculty is committed to helping you succeed.
  • Faculty-to-student ratio is low, with class sizes ranging from 12 to 15 students. The faculty will mentor you as you learn how to best teach and interact with children and adults with disabilities.
  • Prospective candidates who do not have a bachelor's degree in education or an initial teaching certificate may still enroll in the program and complete the required pre-requisite methods courses.
  • ESE graduates are prepared to teach across all grade levels, K-12. This means that you will be able to teach students with exceptionalities at all grade levels (elementary, middle, or high school).You will be provided opportunities to engage in authentic K-12 classroom experiences, where you can directly apply the knowledge and skills learned in the college classroom.
  • Throughout the program, you are taught effective strategies to instruct and challenge students to improve and maximize their learning potentials.

Exceptional Student Education (MS) Autism Education Endorsement

Today 1 in every 54 children in the U.S. has been identified with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018. This is a significant increase from 2000, when the projected prevalence rate was 1 in every 150 children. The new prevalence rate highlights the rapid expansion of the number of children requiring special services and instructional supports in our schools and the increased need for teachers who are qualified to work with these students. For the past three consecutive years, the Florida State Board of Education has reported an unmet and increased demand for qualified ESE teachers.

Only four courses (12 credits) beyond a valid certificate in special education or Exceptional Student Education (ESE) are needed for the endorsement.

You may complete the four endorsement courses at Barry University within two short semesters to qualify to teach students with autism.

Endorsement courses may be added to a Bachelor's or Master's degree in ESE.

Required Courses

Exceptional Student Education (MS) Autism Education Certificate

Enhance your expertise in working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Learn various behavioral management techniques appropriate for children with autism and children with emotional handicaps. Become knowledgeable about educational assessment techniques and procedures to provide an objective database for individualizing instruction for children with exceptionalities.

You may complete the four certificate courses and a practicum to qualify to teach students with autism. The practicum course provides an opportunity for graduate students to apply their knowledge, strategies, and skills relevant to students with ASD in the classroom while under the close supervision mentorship of a University instructor. This program is for international and out-of-state students only.

View Curriculum

Admissions Overview Getting Started

Congratulations on taking the first step to pursue your passion, advance your career, and make a difference in your community. We are committed to assist each student through the admission process.

Whether you transition straight from undergraduate studies to a graduate program or have been out of school for some time, we offer a welcoming and professional environment for graduate study.

With small class sizes, there is a considerable amount of personalized attention from your faculty and opportunities to build strong relationships with fellow classmates.

Apply Now!

Start your application today. In just a few years, you'll graduate with a degree from a highly-respected, affordable university.

Admission Requirements

  • A completed Application
  • Statement of purpose
  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution with official sealed transcripts
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation or a resume with two (2) references and their contact information
  • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (B) or higher.

Admissions Overview International Student FAQs

If you are an international student, applying as early as possible is in your best interest in order to allow ample time for immigration processing. Please be aware that admission to Barry University does not guarantee that you will be granted a student visa by the United States Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin.

View FAQs

Financial Aid Affordable for you.

At BarryU, our tuition is competitive, affordable and still promises all the perks of a private school education. Our cost per credit is in-line with other institutions, but we offer a mission-driven educational experience and provide our students with small class sizes, personalized attention, and academic excellence. Scholarships, graduate assistantships, and financial aid can also be explored to help offset overall costs.

Barry University participates in the full array of federal and state financial aid programs. At Barry, we are committed to doing all we can to help you finance your education.

Barry University's Financial Aid staff will assist you through the financial aid application process.

Financial Aid Programs Graduate Assistantships

School of Education Tuition Per Credit

  • Counseling

    • $1,125.00

    Curriculum & Instruction

    • $950.00

    Organizational Leadership

    • $850.00
  • School Psychology

    • $750.00

    Educational Leadership

    • $600.00

    Montessori

    • $600.00
  • Counseling

    • $800.00

    School Psychology

    • $750.00

    Human Resource Development

    • $600.00

    Educational Leadership

    • $600.00

    Leadership and Innovation

    • $600.00

    Curriculum & Instruction

    • $600.00

    Bahamas Tuition Rate - Master's Programs

    • $600.00

    Montessori

    • $600.00
Please inquire about military, public service, and certificate program rates

School of Education, Leadership and Human Development Faculty

The odds are definitely in your favor at Barry University. Our student-faculty ratio is only 15:1. That means you get personal attention and guidance, and nobody gets lost in the shuffle. Even more impressive, over 80 percent of our faculty hold a PhD or the highest degree available in their field of expertise.

We seek out professors who are not only great teachers, but who love what they do. Their passion, enthusiasm, and inspiration are contagious, and there's no better way to keep young minds excited about learning and discovering. Beyond each teacher's area of expertise, our faculty is committed to promoting equality, social justice, altruism, diversity, and humility. Through education, everyone can have a voice.

School of Education, Leadership and Human Development Student and Professional Organizations

Barry University's School of Education, Leadership and Human Development sponsors and is involved in several student organizations and national professional organizations that are designed to assist you in your professional development.

Student Organizations can be a powerful way for students to enhance, enrich, network and develop their leadership skills while making valuable community contributions.

School of Education, Leadership, and Human Development Graduate Programs Accreditations

All of the Barry University School of Education, Leadership, and Human Development graduate programs are accredited by the regional accrediting agency, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Accreditation is a process whereby an educational institution (and/or a program within an educational institution) is assessed for educational quality based on already developed standards.

Accreditation also serves as a statement to the public that an institution and/or its programs are committed to educational quality.

Barry University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist and doctoral degrees.

View all our Accreditations

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