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- Academics
- School of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education
- Education
- Online Masters for Teachers (M.A.)
Online Masters for Teachers (M.A.)
All programs are offered fully online unless otherwise noted
Students admitted for the fall 2026 semester may be awarded a Values & Vision scholarship of up to $2,000 annually for up to 2 consecutive years (up to $4,000 total). Scholarship is awarded based on a holistic review of application for admission. Recipients of this scholarship must remain enrolled in at least 6 credits and maintain satisfactory academic progress within their program.
- Students must take at least 6 credits per semester to receive the scholarship
- The scholarship does not include summer classes
- Students taking as few as one course prior to the fall 2026 semester will not receive the scholarship
- If the length of time it takes to complete the program goes beyond the planned program length, there will be no extension on the scholarship
USJ Alumni Excellence Program
The University of Saint Joseph is proud to offer a 20% discount on select graduate programs, to our valued alumni, beginning in Summer 2025. This offer is available to all USJ alumni who enroll in a graduate program* at USJ for the first time in the Summer 2025 semester or later.
Click here to learn more about the program.
Graduate Degree Programs
These programs are for:
- Education professionals and related service providers interested in:
- a graduate degree in a specific area
- designing their own path
Special Education Programs
The Master of Arts in Advanced Teaching in Special Education focuses on in-depth knowledge and skill development for educating learners with special needs in multiple K-12 settings and is aligned to Connecticut Cross-Endorsement Regulations.
In order for candidates to be eligible for cross endorsement, applicants to this program must hold a current Connecticut State Department of Education teaching license.
- Online, synchronous
The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education/Special Education program focuses on in-depth knowledge and skill development for educating young learners Pre-K – 3 and PreK – K students with special needs aligned to Connecticut Cross-Endorsement Regulations.
The program aligns cross endorsement requirements for the Integrated Early Childhood/Elementary N-3 and Special Education N-K (#113 endorsement). In order for candidates to be eligible for cross endorsement, applicants to this program must hold a current Connecticut State Department of Education teaching license.
However, the program accepts qualified applicants (experienced early childhood professionals with a bachelor’s degree) who wish to obtain a master’s degree, without cross-endorsement.
- Online, synchronous
The Master of Arts in Special Education focuses on in-depth knowledge and skill development for meeting needs of children and adolescents with disabilities in multiple K-12 settings, including curriculum adaptation and behavioral intervention.
This program is designed for teachers interested in learning to support exceptional learners and inclusive classrooms who do not wish to pursue cross endorsement in special education.
- Online, synchronous
The Masters in Special Education: Transition Planning and Advocacy is designed for transition specialists, special education teachers, and disability service providers in community-based programs. The program prepares graduates to work collaboratively within and across systems of support for children with disabilities to promote evidence-based student self-determination and inclusive practice across school, post-secondary and community settings.
- Online, synchronous
Special Education with Graduate Certificate in Autism and Neurodiverse Learners, M.A.
The M.A. in Special Education: Autism and Neurodiverse learners is designed for educators and related professionals seeking to advance their skills in supporting students with autism and neurodivergent learning profiles across inclusive K–12 settings. Grounded in the latest research and best practices in special education, the program emphasizes strength-based, inclusive instruction and responsive support for learners with diverse cognitive, emotional, social and behavioral needs. Coursework prepares candidates with inclusive instructional strategies including behavioral intervention, communication and technology resources, and mental health support for children with autism and related learning profiles. The program builds techniques for collaboration as members of interdisciplinary teams to strengthen systems of support through effective communication among teachers, parents, families, and community providers.
- This is not a licensure or endorsement program, but upon completion of the 30-credit program, candidates will be eligible for the a USJ Graduate Certificate in Autism and Neurodiverse Learners, recognizing their advanced preparation for supporting children with divergent learning profile.
- Applicants may also select to complete courses (15 credits) required for the USJ Graduate Certificate in Autism and Neurodiverse Learners, with the option to continue completion of the master’s program at a later date.
- Online, synchronous
Special Education M.A. with Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities
The Master of Arts in Special Education with Certificate in Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities program is designed to develop teachers’ knowledge and skill in providing comprehensive reading instruction that is highly effective for students with dyslexia and for all struggling readers. Dyslexia affects somewhere between 10-20% of children learning to read and is, by far, the most common learning disability teachers must address in their classrooms. The program addresses the skills and strategies demonstrated by research to be most effective in teaching students with dyslexia and to help them become the strongest readers possible. The courses address language and literacy development, assessment, and the design and delivery of intensive interventions to address difficulties in word reading, vocabulary development, language and reading comprehension, and writing abilities.
- This is not a licensure or endorsement program, but upon completion of the 30-credit program, candidates will be eligible for the a USJ Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities, recognizing their advanced preparation for supporting struggling readers.
- Applicants may also select to complete courses (15 credits) required for the USJ Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities, with the option to continue completion of the master’s program at a later date.
- Online, synchronous
Education Programs
The Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Saint Joseph empowers educators to deepen their instructional practice and design engaging, inclusive learning experiences across diverse educational settings. The program emphasizes inclusive, student-centered design and instructional strategies that are research-driven and immediately applicable in the classroom with a focus on development of student-centered, backward-designed curriculum plans to meet the needs of all students, including multilingual learners and students with disabilities across all grade levels and content areas.
- Online, synchronous
The Master of Arts in Education: Arts Integration at the University of Saint Joseph is designed for educators across all grade levels and all content areas who believe in the power of the arts to elevate learning, increase engagement, and support diverse learners. This innovative program equips teachers to integrate visual arts, music, theater, and creative writing into core academic instruction across grade levels and content areas. Rooted in Multiple Intelligences Theory, this online/hybrid combines live, online synchronous courses interspersed with hands-on, in-person studio learning experiences on the USJ campus that open new perspectives on curricular applications of multiple intelligences, theatre, and museum education.
- Online synchronous, hybrid
The Master of Arts in Education: Personalized Professional Pathways (MAPPP) offers educators a flexible and individualized graduate experience. Designed for experienced teachers and other educators who seek targeted professional growth, MAPPP empowers candidates to shape a master’s degree around their own instructional goals and evolving classroom needs. Candidates work with an advisor to design a learning pathway that supports their unique vision for practice, combining core coursework with self-selected electives in curriculum & instruction, instructional technology, arts integration, and other options including strategies for supporting diverse learners, and culminating with a personalized capstone project. Through customized learning pathways, educators will shape their graduate studies to meet their objectives and enhance learning outcomes for their own students.
The Master of Arts in Instructional Technology at the University of Saint Joseph prepares educators to design inclusive, technology-rich learning environments that meet the diverse needs of today’s K–12 students. Tailored for working professionals, this fully online program emphasizes the meaningful integration of digital tools to enhance student engagement, accessibility, and learning outcomes. The program equips educators to support all learners—including multilingual students and those with special needs—through dynamic, tech-integrated instruction including the rapidly emerging implications and applications of GenAI in education. Candidates gain a deep understanding of the “networked learner” and learn to align their teaching with ISTE, Common Core, and content-specific standards.
- Online, synchronous
The Master of Arts in Literacy at the University of Saint Joseph is designed for K–12 educators who want to strengthen their expertise in assessing and teaching reading and writing across content areas and grade levels to through evidence-based strategies for strengthening literacy skills. The program emphasized diagnostic assessment, technology-infused, differentiated instruction and the strategic improvement of reading and writing skills to support learning in all subject areas. Educators also develop as teacher-researchers – designing and implementing literacy intervention plans based on student data and grounded in current theory and research-based best practice.
- Online, synchronous
Programs Aligned to Cross Endorsement Requirements
- For teachers that want to cross endorse
The Master of Arts in Advanced Teaching in Special Education focuses on in-depth knowledge and skill development for educating learners with special needs in multiple K-12 settings and is aligned to Connecticut Cross-Endorsement Regulations.
In order for candidates to be eligible for cross endorsement, applicants to this program must hold a current Connecticut State Department of Education teaching license.
- Online, synchronous
The Master of Arts in TESOL Education is designed to develop the knowledge, skills and strategies needed to teach increasing numbers of multilingual learners in today’s multicultural and diverse classrooms. Grounded in the latest research and best practices, this cross-endorsement program is designed to equip educators with the tools to understand second language acquisition and linguistics; develop culturally responsive instruction, and collaborate effectively with families, colleagues and school communities. The program empowers teachers to foster language equity and create inclusive classrooms where all students thrive. To be eligible for cross-endorsement, candidates must hold current Connecticut State Department of Education teacher licensure.
However, the program accepts qualified applicants (experienced educators with a bachelor’s degree) who wish to obtain a master’s degree, without cross-endorsement.
- Online, synchronous
The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education/Special Education program focuses on in-depth knowledge and skill development for educating young learners Pre-K – 3 and PreK – K students with special needs aligned to Connecticut Cross-Endorsement Regulations.
The program aligns cross endorsement requirements for the Integrated Early Childhood/Elementary N-3 and Special Education N-K (#113 endorsement). In order for candidates to be eligible for cross endorsement, applicants to this program must hold a current Connecticut State Department of Education teaching license.
However, the program accepts qualified applicants (experienced early childhood professionals with a bachelor’s degree) who wish to obtain a master’s degree, without cross-endorsement.
- Online, synchronous
Programs are aligned with Connecticut State Department of Education cross-endorsement requirements. Teachers already holding an initial CT teacher license are eligible to apply for cross-endorsement directly with the Connecticut State Department of Education once required examinations have been successfully completed.
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