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Prepare for Work That Makes a Difference
Graduate study in UNO's Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders prepares you to support people across the lifespan—in classrooms, healthcare settings, and communities.
Whether you want to advance your work in special education, develop specialized knowledge in dyslexia or behavior intervention, earn initial teacher certification, or become a speech-language pathologist, UNO offers graduate pathways that connect research and evidence-based practice with meaningful, hands-on learning.
Our programs prepare practitioners to collaborate with individuals, families, educators, healthcare professionals, and community partners to improve learning, communication, participation, and quality of life. This emphasis on collaborative and interdisciplinary practice is central to the department's mission.
Explore Our Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Special Education — 100% Online
Advance your ability to support students with disabilities through a flexible online master's program designed for educators and other professionals. The M.S. in Special Education offers four concentrations, allowing you to choose a path that reflects your professional background and goals.
Special Education Concentration
Prepare to teach and advocate for students with a range of special education needs. This concentration provides advanced preparation in assessment, instructional methods and interventions, behavior supports, collaboration, special education law, and practicum experience, with options aligned to Nebraska special education endorsement requirements.
Behavior Intervention Concentration
Develop specialized knowledge and skills for supporting children and youth with behavioral and emotional challenges. Designed for teachers and other professionals, this concentration emphasizes behavior supports and interventions, mental health, assessment, and instructional strategies, with options based on your professional background and endorsement goals.
Dyslexia Concentration
Focus your M.S. in Special Education on dyslexia and evidence-based literacy practices. Coursework includes the Science of Reading, language essentials, assessment for instructional planning, structured literacy instruction, and applied practicum experience.
Accelerated Special Education Program (AC-SEP)
Have a bachelor's degree and want to teach? The Accelerated Special Education Program (AC-SEP) is a two-year pathway for career changers and other professionals seeking initial Nebraska teacher certification in special education. Graduate coursework and hands-on field experiences prepare you to teach special education in K–6 or 7–12 settings.
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
Prepare for a career helping people communicate, connect, and participate more fully in their lives. UNO's nationally accredited M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology combines rigorous academic preparation with extensive supervised clinical experiences. You'll learn to evaluate, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan while providing evidence-based, person-centered care.
Clinical experiences take place in UNO's onsite Speech-Language Clinic and in community schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other community settings. The full-time, 41-credit-hour program is completed over approximately five semesters and prepares graduates to pursue ASHA certification (CCC-SLP), Nebraska state licensure, and the Nebraska Speech-Language Pathology teaching endorsement.
Graduate Certificate
Dyslexia Specialist Certificate — 100% Online
Help students become stronger, more confident readers through focused graduate study in dyslexia, the Science of Reading, assessment, and structured literacy instruction.
Designed for teachers and educational professionals with a bachelor's degree, this stand-alone certificate consists of five courses totaling 15 graduate credit hours. Courses are offered online in eight-week sessions, with a three-term completion schedule and fall and spring start options.
Full tuition scholarships are available.
Why UNO? Learning That Connects to Practice
Graduate education in Special Education and Communication Disorders at UNO goes beyond coursework. Across our programs, you'll have opportunities to apply what you learn through practicum, clinical, and professional experiences.
- Put learning into practice through hands-on practicum and clinical experiences.
- Gain experience in real-world settings, including schools and community settings, as well as healthcare and rehabilitation settings for speech-language pathology students.
- Use evidence-based approaches to address the individual needs of the students, clients, and communities you serve.
- Learn to collaborate across disciplines with professionals, families, and community partners.
Connect research to practice as you develop the knowledge and skills to make informed professional decisions.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Explore the graduate program that matches your goals, or contact the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders for help finding the right pathway.
Questions?
Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders
unosecd@unomaha.edu
402.554.2201