Online Master’s in Elementary Education and Special Education
Online Master’s in Elementary Education and Special Education
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Graduates who possess the skills and characteristics necessary to teach elementary students, have the opportunity to set themselves up to potentially pursue work in a variety of leadership roles within the education industry.
This online master’s in elementary education and special education degree can also provide a foundation for pursuing your doctoral degree in education or related disciplines.
A couple positions related to this MEd degree are:
Special education teacher
Teaching assistant for special education
At GCU, you have the opportunity to benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that covers a broad range of topics, including examinations of professional ethics, classroom management and instructional methods. You will be taught to apply concepts, theories and research throughout the program with focused experiences that can guide you through 113 hours of observational and practice-based field experiences in K-8 elementary settings, as well as K-12 special education in mild to moderate settings. Once you graduate, you will be prepared to pursue work with special education student populations. You will study and practice how to implement Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) to accommodate the students’ various learning, behavioral and social needs.
Courses are taught by knowledgeable faculty in their respective fields. All courses are directly aligned with Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) principles, and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards.
Topics included in this program are:
Student Teaching Requirements
You must be prepared to complete a full-time, 16-week student teaching component at the end of the program. Eight weeks of student teaching will need to be completed in a K-8 general education setting with a certified elementary education teacher. Additionally, you will need to complete eight weeks of teaching in a K-12 mild to moderate special education setting with a certified special education teacher.
Before beginning on your intended career pathway, you likely have many questions. We've researched and answered the most frequently asked questions about this career path.
This program offers dual licensure in elementary and mild to moderate special education. A dual licensure or dual certification teacher is one who has obtained two teaching licenses or
certifications.5 This enables you to teach multiple subject areas or student populations. Dual
licensure offers a number of potential benefits for teachers.
These include:2
In addition to the benefits of dual licensure for teachers, it may have a positive impact on students. One study found that students with exceptionalities tend to score higher in mathematics when they are taught by dual-licensed teachers.5
While admission requirements can vary between programs, most master’s degree applicants are considered on the basis of their undergraduate GPA and/or scores on the GMAT or GRE. While some programs may require a higher GPA, most master’s degree applicants are required to have a 2.8 GPA or higher, and your undergraduate degree must have been earned at an institutionally accredited school.
We're here to navigate you through the admission process and address any inquiries you may have about life as a Lope. Contact a university counselor to discuss the requirements for this online master’s in elementary education and special education program.
The mission of an elementary special education teacher is to ensure every student receives access to a FAPE under special education law, and that they are empowered to overcome their unique challenges.1 You can position yourself to find work in a special education classroom or in an inclusive general education classroom that includes students with exceptionalities. You may be responsible for performing student assessments, contributing to the development of IEPs, and ensuring that each student’s IEP is administered properly.6
These teachers work closely with students, providing encouragement and customized learning support. You may find the work of these teachers at the elementary level to be rewarding and you may have the opportunity to help students develop a stronger foundation for a more independent future.
GCU offers a non-licensure version of this master’s in secondary education and special education to help current educators enhance their expertise in teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities without pursuing licensure requirements. Individuals may choose the non-licensure track if they do not require additional licensure credentials, such as practicum/field experience hours, fingerprint clearance, passing the state exam for teaching licensure, etc. or if they seek greater flexibility in their studies.
The non-licensure version may be ideal for professionals already established in their careers and who want to deepen their understanding of pedagogy and innovative teaching methods within general education and special education classroom settings.
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
All aspiring public school teachers in the U.S. must earn licensure or certification.4 This degree program may allow you to meet elementary and elementary special education teacher requirements in Arizona and other states.
You should consult the Grand Canyon University Catalog, the University Policy Handbook and a university counselor to obtain information regarding current policies and procedures inherent in a teacher licensure program. Upon graduation, you may be eligible to pursue the Mild to Moderate Disabilities Special Education, K-12 Certificate and the Elementary Education K-8 Certificate in the state of Arizona.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 Office for Civil Rights. (2010, August). Free Appropriate Public Education for Students With Disabilities: Requirements Under Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved on Sept. 8, 2023.
2 Pasini, R. (2017, November). The Benefits of Earning Dual Certification As a New Teacher. Study.com. Retrieved on Sept. 8, 2023.
3 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences, and student teaching.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become a Kindergarten or Elementary School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 8, 2023.
5 Kirksey, J. and Lloydhauser, M. (2022, April 15). Dual Certification In Special and Elementary Education and Associated Benefits for Students with Disabilities and Their Teachers. Sage Journals. Retrieved on Sept. 8, 2023.
6 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). What Special Education Teachers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Sept. 8, 2023.
As a dual licensure teacher, you may have the opportunity to empower and inspire the generations to come. Turn your passion for teaching into purpose and apply today for enrollment in GCU’s online master’s in elementary education and special education.
Before choosing a program that meets elementary special education teacher requirements, it’s important to ensure that the school you choose is institutionally accredited. This accreditation is a reflection of the quality of the college or university.
GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university. Furthermore, the format and courses of this program are designed to create learning opportunities and professional development for teacher candidates.
This master’s degree is offered online as a benefit to those who prefer to study remotely, using flexible online learning opportunities. Study from virtually anywhere as you work toward your career goals, qualifications and your ability to provide instruction to your students.3 GCU’s interactive e-learning platform can enable you to benefit from discussions with your fellow learners and instructors, while receiving the same quality of instruction as on-campus students do.
The Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education and Special Education at Grand Canyon University is designed for students seeking licensure in elementary education (K-8) and special education for students with mild to moderate exceptionalities (K-12). All students deserve and have a legal right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).1 As a dual-certified teacher, you can have the opportunity to empower students to overcome barriers to success, with or without exceptionalities. Dual certification in elementary education and special education may also increase opportunities for employment due to your enhanced professional versatility.2
In GCU’s master’s in elementary education and special education degree program, you will examine strategies for creating inclusive classrooms and applying research-based instructional methods designed to facilitate your students. You will be taught to tackle modern challenges as an educator in public or private school settings.
