Mike Behrmann

Division Director

Mason's Special Education Program is in the Top 20

George Mason University’s graduate program in Special Education is among the Top 20 programs in the nation, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2013 guide.

Mason's Special Education program, one of the largest in the country, enrolls more than 2,400 graduate students and is ranked 17th.

"To be recognized among the best special education programs in the country is a testament to the talent, hard work, commitment, and quality of our faculty and students,” said Michael Behrmann, director of the Division of Special Education and disAbility Research. “The value of a special education degree from Mason is apparent in our alumni, who make a difference each day as teachers and leaders who address the challenges that students with special needs face."/

The Special Education program at Mason is particularly noted for renowned scholars such as Tom Scruggs and Margo Mastropieri, and for its expertise in areas such as assistive technology, applied behavior analysis, early childhood special education, mild disabilities, and severe disabilities. The program is distinguished by its extensive services to parents and teachers throughout Virginia, for the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities, and for its innovative Mason LIFE program that welcomes college-aged students with intellectual disabilities to live and study on campus.

"We are honored that the college’s Special Education program has been recognized this year. I’m proud of our faculty and graduate students,” said Mark Ginsberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “The ranking reflects the high regard of our peers and the upward trajectory we’re experiencing as part of a young and rapidly growing university."

Graduate programs at 280 universities that grant doctoral degrees in education were analyzed for the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Highlights will be available in the guide, which goes on sale April 3. Complete and extended rankings can be found online (subscription required).

For more information about George Mason University’s Special Education program, visit the College of Education and Human Development Special Education website.

Key Activities:

Teacher Education and Training

• Teacher Licensure in:
• Teachers of special needs children in the general curriculum (Mild Disabilities)
• Teachers of special needs children in the adapted curriculum (Severe Disabilities)
• Teachers of Children with Visual Impairments
• Undergraduate Minors in Special Education and Assistive Technology
• Advanced Certificate Programs
• PhD in Special Education

Technical Assistance and Training

• Consultation and Workshops
• Online Professional Development
• Distance Education
• AT Assessment and Evaluation

Research and Development

• Learning and Cognition
• Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts
• Assistive and Instructional Technology

Model Programs

• On- and Off-Campus Programs
• Summer Camps

Public Policy

• Mild Disabilities Program - Co-Coordinators: Sheri Berkeley , Kelley Regan

Click here for a video detailing the mild disabilities sped program/courses

• Low Incidence Disabilities - Coordinator: Marci Kinas Jerome
• Severe Disabilities Program - (Adapted Curriculum) Professor-in-Charge: Marci Kinas Jerome
• Visual Impairments Program - Professor-in-Charge: Holly Lawson
• Non-Licensure Certificate Program - Professor-in-Charge: Vicky Spencer
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Special Education Leadership
• Autism
• Assistive Technology
• Outreach Coordinator - Pam Baker
• Accreditation Coordinator - Margaret Weiss
• PhD Committee Representative - Rick Brigham

• Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities: Mike Behrmann