Application Details
Prerequisites to Apply
Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university. Earned minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in all previous undergraduate and graduate studies (including for incomplete programs of study and for programs still in progress).
Application Requirements and Deadlines
| MS in Special Education — Severe Disabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline: | Rolling until Aug. 1. Based on cohort-space availability; completed applications will be reviewed for decision three weeks before the start of the semester. | |
| Application Requirements: | ||
| Online application form | ||
| $80.00 application fee | ||
| Resume/CV: | To be uploaded to your online application form. | |
| Official Transcripts: | Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended | |
| Essay: | To be uploaded to your online application form. Upload a 500-word essay discussing why you wish to pursue a degree at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on your long-term goals and how your academic program will complement those goals. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses in your educational background, as well as any additional comments that will assist in evaluating your application materials. Essays should be submitted in a typed format on a separate sheet of paper. | |
| Letters of Recommendation: | Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your work with children with disabilities. After entering the contact information for your recommendation providers within the online application, each provider will receive an email with instructions about logging onto our system. At that time, they will have the opportunity to fill out the Recommendation Form and upload a recommendation letter. Providers should use the online application form to upload and send their recommendation letters. Applicants should request recommendation letters that directly address their candidacy for admission to this program. Ideally, individuals selected to provide letters should include those from both academic and professional settings. It is acceptable for candidates who have not been enrolled in post-secondary-level courses for several years to substitute letters from professional contexts. | |
| Interview: | Applicants who meet admission requirements will be asked to interview (in-person, via Zoom, or by phone) to ensure that their goals align with the program’s goals before an offer of admission. | |
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are subject to change for ensuing academic years and will be updated on the School of Education website accordingly.
Admissions Webinar
More Information
Baltimore, MD 21218
What to Expect
Student Outcomes
After you have completed the 36-credit program, you will have acquired the competencies to:
- Understand the legal issues and federal requirements involved in educating students with disabilities
- Assess and evaluate student performances using formal and informal assessments
- Collect and analyze data to make evidence-based decisions across academic and behavioral domains
- Develop effective and innovative individualized instructional programs appropriate for students with autism spectrum disorders; in particular, instruct your students in community and independent-living skills
- Assess, develop interventions, and monitor outcomes to address challenging student and classroom behaviors
- Collaborate effectively with fellow educators, parents, itinerant teachers, and other specialists, administrators, and students, when appropriate
- Augment your instruction using the latest technology for supporting students with complicated issues
- Address the needs of students identified with autism spectrum disorders through evidence-based practices for classroom programming, teaching communication and social skills, and teaching in an inclusive classroom
- Reflect on your own ethical practices while becoming a lifelong member of the special education professional community
What is the definition of severe disabilities in education?
In education, severe disabilities refer to significant and chronic impairments that significantly impact a student's ability to learn and function in an educational setting.
Severe disabilities may include intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, multiple disabilities, or other conditions that require substantial support and specialized instructional strategies to address individual learning needs.
How much do special education teachers make?
The salary of special education teachers can vary.
The salary of special education teachers in Maryland can vary based on factors such as the teacher's qualifications, experience, and the specific school district. On average, special education teachers in Maryland earn a median salary of around $65,000 to $70,000 per year. However, actual salaries may range from approximately $50,000 to over $85,000 per year.
What can you do with a master's degree in autism spectrum disorders?
You can pursue various career paths in the field of autism spectrum disorders.
With a master's degree in special education with a specialization in severe disabilities (autism spectrum disorders [ASD]) from the Johns Hopkins School of Education, you can work as an autism specialist, behavior analyst, autism consultant, intervention coordinator, special education teacher, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapist, or researcher focusing on autism-related studies and interventions.
What certifications do you need to work with children with autism?
To work with children with autism, professionals may need several certifications.
To work with children with autism, professionals typically need certifications such as Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), which focus on applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. Additional certifications or training in special education, speech-language pathology, or occupational therapy can also be beneficial for providing comprehensive support to children with autism.
International Applicants
This program offers part-time enrollment only. Admission is not open to international applicants seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa for this program. International students interested in applying to a program at the Johns Hopkins School of Education must follow the same application process and submit the same general application materials as their peers, along with some additional requirements.
International Student Admissions
Please visit the International Student Admissions webpage for additional application requirements or information.
International Student Admissions
Please visit the International Student Admissions webpage for additional application requirements or information.
Legal Disclosure
Legal Disclosure
State Authorization Disclosure Regarding Educational Prerequisites
Federal regulations require Johns Hopkins to disclose to students considering enrollment or enrolled in this program whether or not it meets educational prerequisites for licensure or certification by state. Educational Prerequisites for Professional Licensure or Certification.
Educational Prerequisites for Professional Licensure or Certification
(1) This program is categorized as non-certification and does not satisfy the educational prerequisites for initial teacher certification for the state of Maryland’s Special Education Generic or Severely & Profoundly Disabled certification areas.
Students located in a state where their program does not meet that state’s licensure or certification educational prerequisites may have difficulty finding a job in that occupation and/or repaying loans borrowed to complete the program.