Loyola's certification and master's degree programs in special education are nationally recognized, and meet the professional development needs of new career entrants as well as advanced career professionals. Emphasizing the Jesuit dedication to cura personalis, or "care of the whole person," Loyola's special education programs promote a deep respect for, and understanding of, the unique needs of every child. In the same vein, Loyola's programs are flexible in order to support the individual needs of adult graduate students, typically working professionals with multiple commitments.

Built on the latest educational research and designed with input from local school administrators, Loyola's programs emphasize proven strategies, specialized instructional methods, legal issues, service delivery models, and advanced professional skills necessary to provide high-quality services to children and adolescents with special needs. Program faculty members are actively engaged in research and other partnerships with local schools, providing coursework that is relevant, applicable, and proven effective in changing children's lives.

Graduate students can choose from three program concentrations: early childhood special education (birth to age 8), elementary and middle school special education (grades 1-8), or secondary special education (grades 6-12). Additionally, Loyola offers a 30-credit post-graduate program that leads to a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education (CASE) for students who have already completed a master's degree in special education. Applicants who have not yet completed the required program prerequisite skills may be accepted into the program but will need to take the appropriate courses (or complete the appropriate experiences) before beginning program coursework.

Loyola's nationally recognized special education programs have been approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and can be used to obtain teacher certification credentials which have reciprocity across the United States.

There’s a lot to consider when you’re trying to decide on a graduate-level program. Here at Loyola, we make the process as simple as possible by giving you a variety of options to learn more about all we have to offer, from e-mail newsletters to downloadable brochures and more. No matter what you choose, you’ll be well informed about why Loyola University Maryland is right for you.

Instead of leaving your fate up to sometimes unreliable map Web sites, we suggest you follow the directions and maps we’ve put together on this page when coming to visit any of our centers and locations. Those using a GPS navigation system can also find our address at the bottom of this page to plug in to your navigator. To avoid any parking mishaps, take a look at the Transportation & Parking page.