The online Masters in Special Education program will provide you with the advanced skills, knowledge and certification to become an exceptional educator for students of all ages. The program is designed for working teachers who wish to expand their knowledge and further develop their teaching skills.
If you have a passion for educating and supporting students with special needs, a Master’s in Special Education degree could be the right academic program for you. This graduate-level degree provides educators with the knowledge and skills they need to work with diverse populations of students with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities. Special education teachers can guide students through the academic curriculum while providing them with the support they need to grow and succeed.
A Master’s in Special Education degree can prepare you to advance your career by teaching you how to collaborate with educational staff and specialists, apply current educational practices, advocate for students’ needs, and effectively communicate with parents and guardians. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults with special needs, this degree may help you achieve your goals.
The Master of Education in Special Education is a 30-unit program designed to prepare educators with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their teaching goals. With a focus on real-world applications, the curriculum provides the tools needed to work effectively with students with diverse backgrounds, cultures and abilities.
The curriculum coursework focuses on the practical application of the most current research in special education and how to apply it to your classroom or district. Students learn how to create programs that meet state and federal requirements while also responding to student needs, a difficult balance.
The coursework in instruction teaches students specific skills needed to excel as a special education teacher, including how to engage students with disabilities and provide accommodations for them. Classroom management is taught throughout the program by instructors that have worked with special needs children for decades.
Assessment is an area where teachers are often underprepared. This coursework teaches students about the various ways that teachers can assess student progress without relying solely on standardized testing. The emphasis is on how to use multiple measures of assessment to determine if a student has mastered the material, which helps with reporting student progress to parents and administrators.
Finally, behavior management helps students understand why some students misbehave in class and strategies they can use to encourage better behavior from all their students.
Special education teachers typically work with students from kindergarten through high school, helping them improve their communication, social and academic skills. Many special education teachers work with children who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
The program is designed to provide you with a strong academic and practical background in special education. You will gain knowledge of the characteristics, causes and manifestations of disabilities, as well as current research-based practices for working with students who have special needs. In addition to coursework, your program includes field experiences and an internship.
Special education courses allow you to work with children who have mental, physical, or emotional disabilities. Special education teachers help students with a variety of developmental issues and needs. They work individually with students or in small groups to help them become successful in the classroom and beyond.