Special Education

When you are ready to apply, you can create an online application. Please plan to spend about 10 - 15 minutes completing the application. You can create the application and return to the platform in the future to submit it if you require additional time. You should be prepared to answer a series of questions about your biographical information, program of interest, and educational/ work background. Additionally, you will be required to enter the names and contact information of two references. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit all official college transcripts (sent directly from your institutions), two recommendations (submitted directly from your references who will receive a unique email link), a personal statement, resume, and test scores (required for programs leading to state certification).

Please note that you may submit the online application before submitting the required supplemental materials. For any questions about the online application please contact Fairfield University Graduate Admission.

For more information, visit the application requirements here. For further questions, our Office of Graduate Admissions is available to explain the application requirements and to help you get your application together. You may contact them at gradadmis@fairfield.edu or by calling (203) 254-4184.

We keep our classes small. The typical maximum class size is 20, but class sizes range from 12 to 20.

Students who already hold a teaching certificate in another state-approved area are eligible for the cross-endorsement in special education. Please contact the program director for more information.

Students who attend full-time take 9 credits each Fall and Spring semester and up to 6 credits in the summer sessions. For full-time students who start in the Fall semester, the program can be completed in about 2 years. For students who attend part-time, the time will vary based on how many courses are taken at a time. Students are required, however, to complete their degree within 6 years after they begin their first course.

Our financial aid office can best answer that question for you. You may reach them by phoning (203) 254-4125 or by emailing them.

Our graduate assistantships provide tuition credit for work. Please see the Graduate Assistantships page for more information.