Master’s in Special Education

Master of Education in Special Education (Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure)Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure

Offered By: College of Education

Make a Difference: Prepare to Teach Students With Exceptionalities

The Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education degree from Grand Canyon University can prepare you to become a special education teacher. This master’s in special education program is designed for any type of graduate student, including those who are changing careers and need to pursue a teaching license or for those currently working in education. This master’s degree in special education is for professionals who are passionate about working with K-12 children with mild to moderate exceptionalities.

Every child in the U.S. has the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that meets their unique needs and provides them with an education that is comparable to that provided to students without disabilities.1 Future special education teachers have the opportunity to put themselves in a position to be instrumental in safeguarding the rights of the children in your classroom, and in helping them overcome barriers to academic success and independence. This MEd in Special Education can qualify you to pursue licensure so that you can work toward making a positive difference in the lives of children with disabilities.

#3

Grand Canyon University is ranked No. 3 in 50 Best Online Master’s in Special Education Programs for 20202

Pursue Your Special Education Master’s Degree From GCU

Special education can be a rewarding field. Beyond the professional benefit of obtaining a master’s degree in special education, specialized competencies in education can be of great service to your students. Students with exceptionalities need access to educators with special education competencies, along with classroom and learning station modifications, modified assessments and educational aids, such as assistive technologies.3 In this MEd in Special Education program, you will be taught to design appropriate learning environments, communicate effectively and otherwise adapt teaching methodologies to meet the unique needs of students with exceptionalities. 

Get More Information

Loading Form

The online master’s degree in special education can provide enhanced accessibility to aspiring educators. By earning your degree online, you’ll be able to study from virtually anywhere and continue to meet your existing obligations while you further your education.4 The master's in special education online program is staffed by knowledgeable professors and adjunct faculty who can offer you the opportunity to learn about the changing landscape of special education laws and procedures from experienced professionals.

In addition to the online option, this master’s in special education is available via evening classes on campus.

GCU’s master’s degree in special education does not require any degree-specific prerequisites. However, to apply to a GCU graduate program, such as an MEd in Special Education, you must follow the established university’s GPA requirement and have a bachelor’s degree (not necessarily in special education).

The completion of the master’s in special education degree can qualify you to apply for initial teacher licensure. Licensure requirements can vary by state and you should research the teaching license requirements for the state in which you plan to work. During the program, you will complete 99 hours of observation and fieldwork. Additionally, the special education degree program concludes with a full-time, 15-week practicum/field experience completed under the observation of a certified special education teacher. 

These experiences can help you prepare to step into your own classroom. If you have already obtained a teaching license, consider our Master of Education in Special Education (Does Not Lead To Initial Teacher Licensure) program. 

Strategies and Skills Designed to Support Students With Special Needs

In this master’s in special education program, you will be taught teaching and classroom strategies, and skills that suit the needs of special education students. These tools and skills can help prepare you to teach any subject, from math to language arts, to students with mild to moderate disabilities. These teaching methods will take into account the language, emotional development and physical and cognitive disabilities of each student.

Some examples of teaching strategies and skills taught in this program for special education classrooms include:

  • The design of lesson plans and teaching aids for students with exceptionalities
  • The modification of lesson plans to suit individual students with unique needs
  • Environment and lesson plan design that enhances student focus
  • The establishment of clear behavioral and academic expectations
  • Student assessments and progress monitoring
  • Classroom management for students with behavioral and emotional differences

Special education master’s program students will be taught how to impact populations with mild to moderate disabilities in culturally and linguistically diverse environments. In addition, you will focus on developing and implementing individual education programs (IEPs) for students with special learning needs.

Topics and Study Areas of This Master’s in Special Education

Special education teachers need to know how to teach all subject areas while also supporting students with special needs. This specialized education is the cornerstone of the MEd in Special Education program. You will be immersed in theory and research that examines the implementation of specialized instruction, including how to adapt, modify and accommodate learning based on the needs of a student with mild to moderate disabilities. 

Throughout the program, you will be taught how to become an advocate for your own students. Common areas of study in the special education master’s degree program include:

  • The educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities 
  • Professional ethical principles, professional practice standards, laws and regulations that guide special educators
  • Theories and models for effective collaboration and communication
  • Assessment strategies 
  • Learning environments and classroom management strategies 
  • Behavior management and improvement, functional behavior assessments, adaptive behaviors, positive behavior interventions and support
  • Instructional and transition planning 
  • Typical and atypical language development, and associated disabilities and disorders
  • The use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assistive technologies to supplement and enhance the communication skills of students with mild to moderate disabilities
  • The legal, historical and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI)
  • The selection, adaptation and use of research-based instructional strategies and interventions in academic and specialized curricula

Career Paths for Master’s Degree in Special Education Graduates

The coursework and experiential learning components of this master’s in special education program can equip you to pursue potential roles as a:

  • Middle school special education teacher
  • Secondary school and all other special education teacher
  • Elementary school special education teacher (including kindergarten)
  • Special education teaching assistant
  • Postsecondary education teacher

GCU Proudly Offers Institutionally Accredited Master of Education Programs

The College of Education at GCU places a strong emphasis on delivering quality instruction. Therefore, GCU holds institutional accreditation which shows our dedication to preparing effective educators.

Master’s in Special Education FAQs

Whether you’re currently working as a teacher or you’re thinking of transitioning into a teaching career from another field, making any career-related move can be a significant decision. The following frequently asked questions and answers can help guide your decision-making process.

Yes. Students in this master’s degree will have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they’ve been taught by completing a 15-week practicum/field experience and 99 hours of observation and fieldwork. Following degree completion, aspiring special education teachers seeking to work in public schools must obtain state-issued licensure or certification, but the requirements vary by state.5 The master's in special education program at GCU can help you prepare for initial teacher licensure in Arizona and potentially in other states. 

Students with exceptionalities need and deserve an education that meets their unique needs, and educators who are committed to facilitating their success. If you decide to pursue a career in special education, you may have the potential to make an impact on the students and families you’ll work with, which can make this degree worth your investment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, special education teachers had a median annual wage of $62,950 in May 2022.6 

A master’s degree in special education offers opportunities for both personal and professional growth. A master’s program in special education may lead to more effective teaching styles, fostering a desire of lifelong learning and impacting the lives of students and their families, which you may find rewarding. In addition to the coursework and student teaching experience, this degree program gives you the opportunity to engage in intellectually stimulating discussions with your peers and instructors (either online or in person). You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from the exchange of ideas and the perspectives of those with varying worldviews.

The MEd in Special Education degree requires a total of 44 credits for completion. You can fill out the form on this page to request a consultation with a university counselor, who can help you better understand how long it may take to earn your degree.

Teachers hoping to work with students with special needs have big hearts and the drive to make a difference. Join your fellow special educators in the Master of Education in Special Education degree program at GCU today.

If seeking licensure or certification, applicants to the program are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval. In addition, fingerprint and background clearance is required.

Office for Civil Rights. (2023, July). Free appropriate public education for students with disabilities: requirements under section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved September 5, 2023. 

Whitmore, R. (n.d.). Best Online Master’s In Special Education. Online Schools Report. Retrieved September 5, 2023. 

3 National Science Teaching Association. (2017, February). Students with exceptionalities. National Science Teaching Association. Retrieved September 5, 2023. 

4 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences, and student teaching.

5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, October 4). How to become a special education teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved September 5, 2023. 

6 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Special Education Teachers as of May 2022, retrieved on September 27, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as special education teachers. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates. 

TOTAL CREDITS & COURSE LENGTH:
Total Credits: 44
Online: 6 weeks
[More Info]
TRANSFER CREDITS:
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
TUITION RATE:
Online: $590 per credit [More Info]

Course List

Major:
44 credits
Degree Requirements:
44 credits

Core Courses

Course Description

Teacher candidates will survey the philosophical, historical, and sociological influences upon which special educational theories and practices are constructed, and explore a variety of the common issues, trends, and opportunities that professional special educators face in the field. Special Education Teacher candidates will prepare for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University by developing and strengthening the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Education. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance not required.

Course Description

Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance not required.

Course Description

Teacher candidates survey professional ethical principles, professional practice standards, law and regulations that guide special educators. Teacher candidates build upon the foundational knowledge to understand the multiple roles and complex situations of professional practice that require attention to a variety of legal, professional, and ethical issues. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SPD-500 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Mild to Moderate.

Course Description

Teacher candidates survey theories and models for effective collaboration and communication with students with exceptionalities, colleagues, other school professionals, families and community members. In addition, teacher candidates apply collaboration and communication theories and models, incorporating technology, across a wide range of contexts to ensure active involvement in the education process for students with exceptionalities. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-510.

Course Description

Teacher candidates will investigate diagnostic and assessment tools. Teacher candidates will build foundational knowledge regarding the use of multiple methods of assessment and data-sources for diagnostic and educational decisions for individuals with mild to moderate disabilities. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-500 or SPD-502 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Mild to Moderate or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate in Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1).

Course Description

Candidates examine the United States Constitution, and the constitution of the State of Arizona. From this foundational review, candidates will explore application of the United States Constitution and the constitution of the State of Arizona in educational contexts. Practicum/field experience hours: 3. Fingerprint clearance not required.

Course Description

Teacher candidates examine how to create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments through collaboration with colleagues so that individuals with disabilities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination. Teacher candidates focus on behavior management, functional behavior assessments, adaptive behaviors, positive behavior interventions and supports, and behavior improvement plans. Practicum/field experience hours: 9. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-500 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Mild to Moderate.

Course Description

Teacher candidates will examine how instructional planning advances the learning of students with mild to moderate disabilities by drawing upon knowledge of central concepts, structures of the discipline, and tools of inquiry of the academic subject-matter content areas and a variety of specialized curricula. Teacher candidates build foundational knowledge about individualized education plans and transition plans for a wide range of settings and different learning experiences. Teacher candidates engage in organizing knowledge, integrating cross-disciplinary skills, and developing meaningful individualized learning progressions through drafting an IEP. Practicum/field experience hours: 9. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-510 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate in Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1).

Course Description

Teacher candidates explore components of typical and atypical literacy development for students with exceptionalities. Coursework emphasizes research-based phonics development and the science of reading, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Teacher candidates focus on assessing developmental and other literacy concerns, including dyslexia, and differentiation strategies to support literacy development in students with exceptionalities. Practicum/field experience hours: 9. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-510 or ESD-530.

Course Description

In this course, teacher candidates examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional programs for English language learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Teacher candidates identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement. Through Universal Design for Learning they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards-based instruction for English language learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.

Course Description

Teacher candidates build foundational knowledge on a variety of research-based instructional strategies to encourage individuals with mild to moderate disabilities to develop understandings and connections within content areas, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. From this foundational knowledge, teacher candidates select, adapt and use research-based instructional strategies and interventions in academic and specialized curricula to advance the learning of students with mild to moderate disabilities with focused attention upon mathematics. Practicum/field experience hours: 12. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-550 or ESD-530 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Mild to Moderate.

Course Description

Teacher candidates explore the language processing requirements of proficient reading and writing, including explicit, systematic, cumulative, and multisensory instruction that integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, disabilities, such as dyslexia, are reviewed to understand how they affect the acquisition of reading skills and how they vary in presentation and degree. Teacher candidates select, adapt, and use research-based instructional strategies and interventions in academic and specialized curricula to advance the learning for all students, including those with mild to moderate disabilities, with attention focused on literacy and reading. Practicum/field experience hours: 12. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisites: (SPD-550 and SPD-578) or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Mild to Moderate.

Course Description

Teacher candidates are engaged in the student teaching experience that includes practical classroom experiences, research, analysis, and teaching to support the creation of a Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP). Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all courses in POS and content area; a 3.0 GPA; successful completion of NES or your state’s mandated content area exams; and approval and placement by College of Education Office of Clinical Practice. All paperwork for student teaching must be submitted by the due date the semester prior to student teaching.

Locations

GCU Online Student


Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.

GCU Evening Student


Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.

* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.

Scroll back to top