Online Master’s in Special Education (MEd) Degree
Online Master’s in Special Education (MEd) Degree
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The Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education degree from Grand Canyon University can help prepare you to pursue licensure as a special education teacher. This master’s degree program is designed for those who are changing careers and need to pursue a teaching license or for those currently working in education. If you are passionate about working with K-12 children with mild to moderate learning exceptionalities, you will have opportunities to develop a foundation for your career at GCU.
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 exceptionalities.(See disclaimer 1) As a future inclusive education teacher, you’ll have the opportunity to be in a position that is instrumental in safeguarding the rights of the children in your classroom, and in helping them overcome barriers to academic success and independence. This program can qualify you to pursue licensure so you can work toward making a positive difference in the lives of children with exceptionalities.
GCU’s MEd in Special Education does not require any degree-specific prerequisites. However, to apply to this graduate program, you must follow the established university’s GPA requirement and have a bachelor’s degree (not necessarily in special education).
The completion of this master’s degree can help you become eligible to apply for initial teacher licensure. Licensure requirements can vary by state. Be sure to research the teaching license requirements for the state in which you plan to work.
During the program, you will complete:
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.
This degree has received programmatic accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This designation is a reflection of the College of Education’s emphasis on quality of instruction.
In addition, GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. GCU is committed to preparing effective educators and upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Join other future special educators in the Master of Education in Special Education program at GCU today.
The online master’s degree in special education can help enhance accessibility to aspiring educators. By earning your degree online, you’ll be able to access course materials from virtually anywhere and continue to meet your existing commitments while you further your education.(See disclaimer 3) This online program is taught by experienced faculty who can guide you through the changing landscape of special education laws and procedures.
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’s licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
In this master’s in special education program, you will be taught teaching and classroom strategies, and skills that suit the needs of students with specialized learning circumstances. These tools and skills can help prepare you to teach any subject, from math to language arts, to students with mild to moderate exceptionalities. These teaching methods will take into account the language, emotional development and physical and cognitive disabilities of each student.
Additionally, you will be taught how to impact populations with mild to moderate disabilities in culturally and linguistically diverse environments. You will explore core skills and strategies in developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with special learning needs.
Some examples of teaching strategies and skills taught in this program for special education classrooms include:
Inclusive education can be a rewarding field. Beyond the professional benefit of obtaining a master’s degree, specialized competencies in education can be of great service to your students. Learners with specialized learning circumstances need access to educators with adaptive learning competencies, along with classroom and learning station modifications, modified assessments and educational aids, such as assistive technologies.(See disclaimer 2)
As an aspiring exceptionalities educator, you will need to know how to teach all subject areas while also supporting students with unique learning challenges. This specialized education is the cornerstone of this 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 exceptionalities. Throughout the program, you will be taught how to become an advocate for your own students.
Common areas of study in this master’s program include:
Professional ethics, standards, laws and regulations for special educators
Models for effective collaboration and communication
Behavior management: assessments, interventions and support
Instructional and transition planning
Language development: typical, atypical, disabilities and disorders
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies
Foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI)
Research-based instructional strategies and interventions
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).
Aspiring to become an adaptive learning educator can offer you the potential to empower children facing additional challenges in life, thereby fostering positive change within the classroom.
The coursework and experiential learning components of this program can help equip you to pursue potential roles as a:
Whether you’re currently working in education or you’re thinking of transitioning into a teaching career, making any career-related move can be a significant decision. The following frequently asked questions and answers can help guide your decision-making process.
Is a master’s degree that focuses on special education worth it?
Do I need a master’s degree to teach special education?
Does the Master of Education in Special Education lead to a teacher licensure?
What will I gain from a special needs education master’s degree?
