This program is designed for educators who want to gain a deeper understanding of their role in educating students with disabilities. Educators will learn research-based methods for addressing student needs and individual learning styles. Students will also have experiences in schools, working alongside current special education teachers.
The program is aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards for teacher preparation and provides a solid foundation for CEC certification exams.
The Master of Education with a specialization in Special Education is designed to prepare students to work with individuals with special needs in a variety of settings and to assume leadership roles in the field. Students will gain knowledge and skills in teaching, research, program evaluation, design, and administration. Students will also be qualified for licensure in special education.
As a special educator, you will have the opportunity to develop children’s academic and social skills as well as their sense of self-worth. You will also be able to help shape school policies and practices that affect students with special needs.
The Master of Education in Special Education is intended for teachers who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of special education. The program provides students with a foundation in current research, theory, and practice in the field.
By specializing in Special Education, you’ll learn how to create personalized learning plans for students that meet their unique needs, as well as strategies for making sure they’re built into a classroom’s daily routine so that they’re most effective. You’ll also learn how to navigate a student’s support system, including parents and other teachers, so that everyone can be on the same page.
When you earn a master’s in education special education, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to succeed as a teacher of students with special needs. This online program is designed for educators who meet the requirements for state licensure as an instructional or special education teacher. The courses focus on real-world application and are taught by experienced educators.
The master’s degree in special education is a 39-credit program that can focus on one of two areas: Early Childhood, or Mild to Moderate Disabilities. The Early Childhood track allows candidates to add an endorsement as a Birth through Age 8 Teacher of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in addition to their master’s degree, but if you already have that endorsement, it can be waived so you don’t have to take any more classes than necessary. Both tracks will prepare you for certification as a special education teacher, and we’ll help you get there by advising you on your course load every step of the way.
This program offers you the opportunity to choose from two concentrations: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or Moderate and Severe Disabilities. The ASD concentration is designed for those who are interested in becoming experts in the field of autism, while the Moderate and Severe Disabilities concentration is designed for those who wish to work with students who have significant learning challenges.
Both concentrations prepare you to work with children who have special needs by combining coursework with hands-on experience in one of our student teaching placements, which are selected especially for their unique programs and focus on special education.