For a version of this program that does not lead to teacher licensure, please click here

Master of Education in Special Education: Cross-Categorical Initial Program - Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure


This Master of Education in Special Education: Cross-Categorical program is designed for career changers or individuals with a bachelor‛s degree in a field outside of education who are interested in the education of children with special needs in the K-12 setting and also wish to seek initial teaching licensure. Graduates of the master‛s in special education degree program are prepared to work with special needs populations and implement individualized educational plans to accommodate various learning needs.

In this master‛s in special education degree program, you will study topics such as: classroom management for students with special needs, structured English immersion, diagnosis and assessment in special education, characteristics of learning disabilities and strategies to teach individuals with learning disabilities, characteristics of emotional/behavioral disabilities and strategies to teach individuals with learning disabilities, characteristics of intellectual disabilities and strategies to teach individuals with learning disabilities, and educational implications for students with physical and health impairments. The special education degree program concludes with a full-time, 16-week student teaching component that must be completed with a certified special educator.

Teacher candidates must have access to a K-12 special education classroom to complete the program assignments. The classroom setting must have at least three of the five disability categories represented: emotional disability, learning disability, intellectual disability, physical impairment, and/or health impairment.

Program Disclosure

Category Non-Traditional Traditional
Books & Supplies (Per Program) $935 N/A
Tuition & Fees (Per Program) $24,520 N/A
Room & Board (Per Semester, If Applicable) $3,434
On Time Graduation Rate 78% N/A
Median Private Loan Debt $0 N/A
Median TIV Loan Debt $38,054 N/A
Median Institutional Financing Plan Debt N/A N/A

Program SOC

Occupations
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
  1. It is the policy of the University to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations which require the University to remit tax where applicable. These regulations vary by location. Please note: It is also the policy of the University to require payment of sales, use, excise, and/or gross receipts tax. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the University regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.5%. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.0%.
  2. Book costs are based on an average. Costs may increase or decrease depending on electronic availability or publisher's book costs.
  3. Room and board costs may be higher or lower depending on housing and meal plan choice. This number is based on an average for students on campus.
  4. Some Non-Traditional programs may be offered on the ground campus or on-line.
  5. N/A identifies that a program is not offered in that modality or that fewer than 10 students graduated within the reported timeframe.
  6. Tuition and Fees for each program are based on current rates. Future Tuition and Fee Rates may vary. Tuition was calculated using the number of credit hours in the program times the current tuition rate and includes the Graduation Fee. Full time students enrolled at a program taken at the main campus include a Student Activity Fee, charged every semester. Online programs include a one time Learning Management Fee. Some programs may also include additional fees based on course materials.
  7. On-time graduation rates and median loan debt are based on students who graduated in the 2011-2012 award year.
  8. Not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.
  9. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment.

Disclosure Information

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.