Online Master’s in Elementary Education and Special Education (Non-Licensure)
Online Master’s in Elementary Education and Special Education (Non-Licensure)
journey today.
The Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education and Special Education non-licensure program at Grand Canyon University is designed for candidates interested in the education of children in elementary (K-8) and mild to moderate special education (K-12) settings. Courses are designed to cover a broad range of content areas, from ethical and legal practices to instructional planning and beyond.
Within the program, opportunities are provided to allow you to apply concepts and research through 113 hours of observational and practice-based field experiences. These include both K-8 general education and K-12 special education in mild to moderate settings.
Every student in the U.S. has the legal right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).1 Students who have mild to moderate exceptionalities, such as learning disorders, can be empowered to overcome obstacles. As an educator, you have an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of all children, encouraging them to strive toward greater independence and to become productive members of society in the future.
This master’s in elementary special education will explore strategies for inclusive classrooms, examine child and early adolescent development, and delve into classroom management best practices as you work toward earning your master’s in elementary education.
Pursue an Online Master’s in Elementary Education and Special Education
GCU’s College of Education has designed this master’s in elementary education and special education to fit around the needs of working adults. You can choose to earn your MEd online, accessing course materials from virtually anywhere and participating in academically stimulating discussions with fellow learners and instructors on GCU’s interactive digital learning platform. Continue to meet your current obligations as an educator while you further your own education and prepare to potentially lead general or special education classrooms.
This Degree is Offered Online
This MEd in elementary and special education is designed to provide opportunities that help you develop competencies that can help equip teachers to tackle modern challenges in general education, special education and inclusive classrooms.
The elementary special education courses cover a range of content areas, including:
Non-licensure MEd programs are typically designed for adult learners who are already licensed or certified teachers working in the field and who are interested in expanding their career qualifications. A non-licensure MEd is also designed for those who are interested in non-licensure teaching positions or non-teaching education careers.
Although this non-licensure MEd does not include a student teaching component, some of the courses do require practicum/field experience hours. These experiential learning components may help you apply concepts from your coursework to practical situations.
All courses are directly aligned with Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) principles and Council for Exceptional Children standards.
GCU Offers a Licensure Version of This Program
GCU offers a licensure version of this master’s in elementary and special education tailored for individuals who aspire to strengthen their knowledge in pedagogy subjects while seeking to fulfill teaching licensure requirements.
The licensure version may be ideal for professionals who want to work toward becoming licensed elementary education teachers (grades K-8) and special education teachers (grades K-12). Education students who pursue the licensure version of this degree will be prepared to earn a teaching certificate by completing program coursework, practicum/field experience hours, fingerprint clearance, passing the state exam for teaching licensure, etc. As you choose the right degree program for you, it is important to be aware of different certification requirements specific to your state.
Graduates of the program may have the opportunity to work closely with students and to implement individualized educational programs (IEPs) to accommodate various learning, behavioral and social needs.
You may be prepared to teach in K-8 general education and K-12 special education (mild to moderate) settings if you already have an active teacher’s license or certification. If you do not have licensure, you may choose to pursue work in private schools that may not require certification.2
An MEd may teach you the advanced skills that can prepare you to pursue non-teaching careers, including:3
Design instructional materials
Analyze policies
Assist in developing curriculum and standardized tests
Contribute to educational research
Support admissions and educational consultants
The quality of your education as a working professional is important. Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, GCU is proud to continue our tradition of offering academically comprehensive degree programs that prepare graduates to confidently enter the workforce. At GCU, you can earn your master’s in elementary education under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors who are committed to supporting their students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before choosing a degree program that fits your career goals, you may wish to conduct further career-related research. Use the following frequently asked questions and answers to get started.
The salary of an elementary special education teacher can vary by location, employer, years of experience and other factors.4 As of May 2023, the median annual wage for a preschool, elementary, middle or secondary special education teacher was $63,280, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).5
A special education teacher at the elementary level not only needs to know how to develop lessons and instruct students, but they may also benefit from having the following skills:2
Special education teachers often adapt lesson plans to meet the individual needs of their students, and to respond calmly and appropriately to students with behavioral or learning challenges. They also need to collaborate with other members of the school team, such as counselors, administrators and general education teachers, as well as with their students’ parents/guardians.2
Children with exceptionalities typically need specially trained teachers to help them overcome learning obstacles. As an elementary special education teacher, you may find personal fulfillment in empowering children with special needs to work toward becoming more independent and to achieve an appropriate education. Although the work may be challenging at times, you may find special meaning in knowing that what you do may truly make a positive difference in the lives of your students.
If you are genuinely passionate about teaching and you have a special interest in working with young children, particularly those who struggle with mild to moderate exceptionalities earning a master’s in elementary education and special education may be worth it. A non-licensure MEd program may also be an ideal choice for professionals who enjoy working in the education field (or would like to do so) but prefer not to work in a classroom. With a non-licensure MEd degree, you may have the opportunity to pursue education-related careers that allow you to potentially make an impact on the lives of students in other ways.
Start Your Journey Today
Prepare to equip elementary students to overcome challenges and become thriving young adults. Fill out the form on this page to request more information about GCU’s master’s in elementary education.
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 Oct. 5, 2023.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become A Special Education Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Oct. 5, 2023.
3 Indeed (2022, June 24). 31 Non-Teaching Careers For Candidates With A Master’s In Education. Retrieved on Oct. 5, 2023.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023, Sept. 6). Special Education Teachers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Oct. 9, 2023.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Special Education Teachers, as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 12, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as special education teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or 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. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.