Online master’s in secondary special education and transition

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Secondary Special Education and Transition Master's

Earn your master’s in secondary special education and transition at KU

Every student deserves meaningful pathways. The transition from school to adult life represents a pivotal moment for students with disabilities. With proper support and evidence-based transition planning, these students can achieve meaningful employment, pursue post-secondary education, and build fulfilling community lives. A master's in secondary special education and transition* provides the advanced knowledge and research-backed strategies essential for creating successful transition outcomes.

Built on decades of expertise developed at the Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD), a nationally and internationally acclaimed, on-campus research center, KU's comprehensive master's program prepares you to lead transformational change in the lives of students with disabilities. Whether you're already working in special education or transitioning into transition services, this graduate-level credential demonstrates your commitment to excellence and opens doors to leadership roles in schools, agencies, and community organizations.

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*This program is an online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in special education with an emphasis in secondary special education and transition. It does not lead to initial nor advanced licensure in special education. In order to enroll in this program, a bachelor's degree is required.

Program details

100% online with no campus visits required
10 courses (30 credit hours)
8-week courses for focused study
Complete in as few as two years
#2 online master's in special education in the nation¹
Built on KUCD resources
CEC/DCDT National Transition Standards alignment
Graduates eligible to earn the National Certification in Transition from the Council for Exceptional Children
No GRE required for admission

Master transition planning for meaningful outcomes

Online master's in secondary special education and transition

For educators and professionals ready to lead in transition services

This comprehensive master's program prepares you to create and implement evidence-based transition planning that helps students with disabilities achieve their post-secondary goals. You'll master assessment strategies, interagency collaboration, and work-based learning models while building the leadership skills needed to transform transition services.

What you'll master:

You'll develop deep expertise in transition assessment, career development, and interagency collaboration while learning to implement evidence-based practices that support students in achieving meaningful post-school outcomes. The curriculum emphasizes practical application of transition models, work-based learning strategies, and family partnership approaches. Your learning culminates in a master's project that demonstrates your ability to implement research-based practices through an electronic portfolio showcasing your professional competency.

Choose this program to:

Master evidence-based transition assessment and planning
Build expertise in career development and work-based learning
Develop skills in interagency collaboration and systems change
Create a professional portfolio demonstrating research-based practices

Build skills for careers like:

Transition specialist or coordinator
Vocational rehabilitation counselor
State or federal agency transition specialist
Community employment provider
Higher education transition program coordinator

Advance your skills, expand your impact

The University of Kansas online education programs are built for people who want to make a difference—in classrooms, schools, and communities. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, parent, nonprofit professional, you’ll find programs that connect research to practice and provide tools you can put to use right away. With flexible online courses and dedicated faculty support, KU helps you grow your expertise while continuing the important work you’re already doing.

✓ 8-week focused courses
✓ Evidence-based, research-driven curriculum
✓ Practical skills you can apply immediately
✓ Top-ranked by the U.S. News & World Report*

*Retrieved on August 18, 2025 from usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-kansas-155317

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Master’s in Secondary Special Education and Transition course descriptions

The online master's in secondary special education and transition equips you with comprehensive knowledge in career development, work-based learning, transition assessment, and interagency collaboration. These 10 courses prepare you to lead transition services that create meaningful pathways to adult success. All courses listed are worth 3 credits.

Please note: Course list and sequence are subject to change.

SPED 856 Transition Education and Services From Childhood Through Adulthood

The purpose of this course is to provide a background in career development and transition education for persons with disabilities from middle school through adulthood. Emphasis is placed on IDEA requirements for transition services, career development and transition processes, transition services assessment, secondary special education curricular implications, career development and transition service needs, collaborative services in schools and communities to promote quality transition services, and issues and trends in transition education and services.

SPED 858 Assessment for Transition Planning

The purpose of this course is to provide students in the secondary/transition personnel preparation program a background and foundation for understanding and using assessment information. Emphasis is placed on understanding the various types of assessment alternatives in secondary special education assessment and programming (cognitive, personality, interests/preferences, aptitude, life skills and self-determination) and awareness of specific examples of each. Formal and informal assessment approaches are presented with advantages and disadvantages of each applied for various populations or individuals. Curriculum-based assessment is a major emphasis for ongoing instructional and transition planning. The knowledge base for the course content comes out of the areas of measurement in educational psychology, measurement of exceptionality, special education curriculum and instruction, and vocational rehabilitation.

EPSY 715 Understanding Research in Education

This course introduces the concepts and skills involved in understanding and analyzing research in education and related areas. The course provides an overview of basic, general knowledge of various research methodologies. Students should expect to study much of this material in greater depth through additional course work before being fully prepared to conduct independent research. However, this course should enhance their ability to locate, read, comprehend and critically analyze research articles and reports. Topics in the course include quantitative and qualitative methods and designs, historical and descriptive research and program evaluation.

SPED 857 Career Development for Youth

The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students in special education and related areas who are specializing in secondary school/transition programs with an overview of career development for youth with disabilities. Emphasis is placed upon theory and practice related to career development, work-based learning, and school and community vocational training models.

SPED 861 Blending Academics and Transition

The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with research evidence of each of the components of universal design for learning within access to the general academic curriculum: multiple means of representation, expression and engagement.

SPED 862 Work-Based Learning

The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with models and strategies to develop and coordinate meaningful work experiences for youth with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on practical strategies for engaging with community businesses, developing and customizing jobs and supporting youth in the workplace.

SPED 863 Student Engagement in School and Community

The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students in special education and related areas who are specializing in secondary school/transition programs with an overview of models and issues pertaining to school and community engagement for secondary age youth.

SPED 859 Interagency Services for Transition to Adulthood

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of interagency and community services and systems for adolescents and young adults with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on theory and practice related to interagency collaboration, systems change efforts in transition services, and state-of-the-art practices regarding supporting individuals with disabilities in community employment, living, socialization, community participation, and other areas of adult life.

SPED 898 Master’s Project

The purpose of this independent study course is to provide students in the secondary/transition personnel preparation program an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of transition-related literature, resources and practices. Students will present a synthesis of empirical literature about a transition-related issue or topic (e.g. self-determination, interagency collaboration, etc.) and their unique online program portfolio. The online portfolio will document their mastery of specific competencies for secondary special educators/transition specialists.

Elective

Choose an elective from available courses that term.

A female educator kneeling to show a toy to a special needs child.

Create lasting change through evidence-based transition planning

Students with disabilities deserve the same opportunities for meaningful careers, independent living, and community participation as their peers. The transition from school to adult life can unlock tremendous potential when guided by skilled professionals who understand evidence-based transition practices and interagency collaboration.

Whether you're looking for comprehensive graduate-level training in transition services or focused professional development, KU offers multiple pathways to build your expertise.

The master's degree provides the most comprehensive preparation for transition leadership
The graduate certificate in secondary special education and transition offers focused training in one year

Each pathway empowers you to make a lasting difference in the lives of students with disabilities and their families as they navigate the crucial transition to adult success.

“Enrolling in the secondary education and transition master's program was one of the wisest decisions I have ever made. I have been a transition coordinator for about 10 years, but once I enrolled in this program, I learned so much more. I have been able to—during the program and up to today—elevate the transition program at our school district.”

Rita B., M.S.E. Transition ‘20

Ready to transform outcomes for students with disabilities?

KU’s experienced admissions outreach advisors are dedicated to supporting education professionals like you. Working one-on-one, they'll help you clarify your transition leadership goals, explore how this program aligns with your career aspirations, and guide you through the application process.

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Application Instructions

Close-up of KU Admission Advisors, Erica and Tatiana.

Make a lasting impact in education

Ready to join the next generation of educational leaders? KU's online education programs offer three starts per year, making it easier to begin your journey when the time is right for you.

Start an Application
Admissions Information

Jan

Application Deadline

January 6

Spring 2026 Term

Jan

Next Start

January 20

Spring 2026 Term

Sources

Retrieved on August 13, 2025, from usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-kansas-155317