The Master’s of Education in Special Education with a Specialization in Secondary Transition is an eCampus program from the College of Education & Human Development

BGSU Special Education M.Ed teaching students learn about secondary transition in well-stocked libraries on our Ohio campus
  • Masters Available
  • Offered Online
  • Masters Available
  • Offered Online

Master of Education in Special Education

Secondary Transition

The BGSU Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education with a Specialization in Secondary Transition equips professionals with knowledge and skills to prepare youth with disabilities to successfully transition to college, careers, and adult life. Program graduates are prepared to assume leadership positions in schools, community organizations, and institutions of higher education. Join us and earn your master’s degree in under two years! 

Application Information

Program Requirements

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Alumni Testimonials

Jenna Lahood

Jenna Lahood

  • Position: Intervention Specialist, Medina City Schools

I chose BGSU’s Secondary Transition program because it helped fellow teachers achieve their dream jobs. The professors were very approachable and knowledgeable. They shared many great resources that I can continue to use throughout my career. This program supported my career goals through the convenience of it being all online. That made it possible for me to teach full-time while completing my Master’s program. Through BGSU’s Secondary Transition program, I feel I can successfully help my future transition-aged students.

Britta-Hough

Britta Hough

  • Position: Regional Community Life Engagement Project Manager, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities

I am beyond impressed with the program structure and the opportunity it has provided me to continue growing as a professional. I obtained my master’s with TTW while I was a Service and Support Administrator (SSA) at the Cuyahoga County board of developmental disabilities, and it was extremely valuable for me. I have recommended this program to just about everyone who is working with transition-age youth.

Program graduates are prepared to assume leadership roles in transition education services within school and community settings. A secondary transition graduate certificate/Ohio Transition-to-Work Endorsement is embedded into the Master's program or available as a stand-alone  graduate certificate  and/or Transition-to-Work Endorsement.

Master special education and the skills of secondary transition

Take your career to the next level with a Master of Education. Learn to utilize evidence-based models and strategies to guide your practice with transition-age youth. 

Recent legislation and case law require state and local education, vocational rehabilitation, and developmental disabilities agencies to provide the transition services and support needed to prepare youth with disabilities for competitive integrated employment and community life.

Developing skills to meet the demands of this evolving legal landscape will ensure that educators and professionals comply with the law and contribute to the lives of the youth they serve. 

The program leads to the State of Ohio Transition-to-Work Endorsement for eligible individuals. The program does not lead to initial teacher licensure.

Your Degree, Your Way

The 100% online master’s of education in special education with a specialization in secondary transition is incredibly flexible. With 7 week courses, multiple start dates throughout the year and a completion estimate of 18-24 months, you can work at your own pace, around your schedule. 

Online programs offer the significant benefits of greater scheduling freedom and savings on time and travel costs.

With online delivery and straightforward requirements for entry and graduation, the master of education in special education with a specialization in secondary transition opens doors to new career paths in an in-demand work area.

Curriculum

This online program’s core courses emphasize the identification and use of evidence-based practices to improve transition practice. Real-world learning in school and community contexts builds skills needed for successful partnerships with families, school personnel, employers, and community organizations and agencies.  

Advanced interdisciplinary coursework in special education, workforce development, school counseling, and educational leadership teach critical leadership skills for promoting positive outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Program and Course Requirements

Secondary Transition Core (15 credit hours)   

  • EDIS 6450 Transition from School to Adult Life
  • EDIS 6610 Transition Assessment and Instructional Strategies
  • EDIS 6620 Competitive Employment, College and Careers
  • EDWF 6700 Partnerships in Work-based Learning or EDIS 5310 Teaching Students with Disabilities 
  • EDIS 6901, 6902, 6903 Interagency Collaboration for Transition

Master’s Degree Courses (10+ credit hours)

  • EDIS 6490 Seminar: Issues and Practices in Special Education
  • EDFI 6450 Using K-12 Assessment Data to Improve Practice or EDFI 6410 Statistics in Education
  • EDFI 6420 Research in Education
  • EDIS 6980, 6910, or 6980 Master's Capstone (1–6 credits)

Suggested Electives (6 credit hours)

  • EDL 6260 Leadership and Law in Special Education
  • COUN 6740 Career and Life Planning Approaches

*Other graduate courses may be taken or transferred into the program as electives with program advisor approval.

Secondary Transition Master's Program (31 Credit hours)

Sample Program of Study 

Year 1

Fall (6 credits)

  • Transition from School to Adult Life (3)
  • Competitive Employment, College, & Careers (3) 

Spring (4 credits)

  • Transition Assessment and Instructional Strategies (3)
  • Interagency Collaboration for Transition I (1)

Summer (9 credits)

  • Partnerships in Work-based Learning (3)
  • Special Education Seminar (3)
  • Research in Education (3)

Year 2

Fall (5 credits)

  • Interagency Collaboration for Transition II & III (2)
  • Career and Life Planning Approaches (3)

Spring (7 credits)

  • Masters Capstone (1)
  • Using K-12 Assessment Data to Improve Practice (3)
  • Leadership and Law in Special Education (3)

Unmatched Student Support

BGSU is the only university in Ohio and only one of ten in the nation to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate that recognizes our commitment to online student success. The eCampus team proudly offers a one-stop-shop experience for all of your questions. Our main goal is simple: your success from registration to graduation 

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Easy enrollment

Complete an application form online.

Submit transcripts from all institutions attended. 

Submit a statement of purpose.

Stand Out in courses like

  • Transition from School to Adult Life
  • Transition Assessment and Instructional Strategies
  • Competitive Employment, College and Careers
  •  Partnerships in Work-based Learning
  • Interagency Collaboration for Transition
  • Research in Education
  • Master's Capstone

U.S. News and World Report singled out transition specialists as a hot career in education.

Advance Your Career

Transition Specialists skilled at bridging the gap between special education and adult services are in high demand. Our graduates are well prepared to excel in transition leadership positions within K–12 schools, community agencies, and institutions of higher education.

Federal legislation, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and state Employment First initiatives require that youth with disabilities be supported to successfully transition to competitive integrated employment and adult life. These mandates necessitate that school and adult services professionals be prepared to provide individualized transition services and supports.

Whether you are a special educator, career-technical educator, general education teacher, school counselor, vocational rehabilitation counselor, developmental disabilities service provider, parent advocate, or Center for Independent Living (CIL) or inclusive postsecondary education (PSE) staff member, a secondary transition master’s degree from BGSU will assure employers that you possess the knowledge and skills to support youth with disabilities as move into adulthood. 

  • Develop your academic credentials
  • Build your professional expertise
  • Strengthen your teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Sharpen your critical thinking and communication skills 
  • Connect with others committed to promoting positive postschool outcomes

Ohio TTW Endorsement

Program graduates who hold a standard Ohio intervention specialist, career-technical teaching, or professional pupil services license or certificate are recommended to the Ohio Department of Education for the Transition-to-Work (TTW) Endorsement.

The TTW Endorsement is a valuable credential, required by many school districts for their transition specialists, job training coordinators, career assessment specialists, and others who coordinate or provide transition services. For school counselors, occupational therapists, social workers, school psychologists, and other pupil service professionals, earning the TTW Endorsement certifies that they have the knowledge and skills to support effective transitions for the students with disabilities they serve.

GO FAR as a transition leader in

  • Special education 
  • Secondary education
  • Career-technical education
  • School counseling
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Inclusive postsecondary education
  • Developmental disabilities services
  • Independent living and advocacy

Steps to Apply 

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Submit Your Application Online

  • Apply Now or Return to Existing Application
  • For Area of Study, select “Master’s” and “Special Education: Secondary Transition - MEd [eCampus]
  • No Applicaion Fee
  • No Teaching License Required
  • No GRE, Praxis, or OAEs test scores required
  •  

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Submit Transcripts

As part of the online application process, you will upload scanned copies of transcripts from all institutions attended. Upon admission, final official transcripts from each degree-granting institution must be submitted to the Graduate College.

Non-native speakers of English must submit test scores on the TOEFL IBT, IELTS, or PTE. Recommended university minimum scores required for admission.

Request that transcripts (and test scores, if applicable) be sent directly to:

Graduate College
200 University Hall
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403

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Upload a Statement of Purpose

As part of the online application process, you will upload a Statement of Purpose (300–700 words) that communicates the following:

  • your motivation to pursue graduate study in secondary transition;
  • your professional goals and how you believe our program can support you in meeting those goals; and
  • your personal attributes, background, and/or experiences that have prepared you for success as a graduate student.

You will be enrolled in and receive your graduate degree from the College of Education & Human Development

BGSU Degree | World-class faculty |  100% online

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Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Professional Licensure
  • BGSU is a State of Ohio approved provider of the Transition-to-Work Endorsement. The program leads to the Ohio Transition-to-Work Endorsement for eligible individuals. 
  • Requirements for licensure, certification, and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The M.Ed. in special education with a specialization in secondary transition program does not lead to initial teacher licensure.
  • State of Ohio approved provider of the Transition-to-Work Endorsement

Updated: 12/23/2022 03:14PM