Can you tell me what courses I can pursue in the USA for a master's in special education and what is the difference between MA and MEd?

Both degrees prepare you to work with exceptional learners, but they approach the field from different angles, and most employers weigh them equally for hiring and pay. Your real decision is whether you want a practice-first program or one with more research depth.

MEd versus MA at a glance

Specializations you can pursue

• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): evidence-based interventions, sensory processing and applied behavior analysis for students on the spectrum.
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE): developmental support and family-centered intervention for children from birth to age 5 or 8.
• Mild to Moderate Disabilities: supports students with learning disabilities like dyslexia in mainstream or resource classrooms.
• Severe, Profound and Multiple Disabilities: life-skills instruction, alternative assessments and assistive technology for significant support needs.
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD): positive behavioral interventions and crisis de-escalation strategies.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): tied to a Verified Course Sequence, letting you sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam afterward.

My Advice

If you already hold a teaching license and want to move into leadership, choose the MEd for its practitioner focus. If you are drawn to research or plan to eventually pursue a doctorate, the MA's theoretical grounding will serve you better, and either way pick a specialization track like ABA now if the BCBA credential is part of your long-term plan.