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The Master of Education in Special Education – Moderate to Severe Non-Initial Teaching Licensure (NITL) program is designed for teaching candidates who are seeking to potentially elevate their career with master’s level knowledge on educating students with exceptionalities. Because this program does not lead to teaching licensure, ideal candidates include current educators looking to teach in moderate to severe self-contained settings, para-educators in the field and non-educators who are seeking to work with students with moderate to severe disabilities in K-12 or residential settings that do not require licensure.
Individuals enrolled in the Master of Education in Special Education – Moderate to Severe program will have the opportunity to develop expertise on moderate to severe disability characteristics as well as cultivate skills to support students within this population in all areas of development. The curriculum in this program provides an initial examination of topics related to special education, specifically areas that affect individuals with moderate to severe disabilities, through graduate-level discussions and practical assignments.
With over 90,000 online students in Fall 2023, GCU specializes in online learning and strives to provide you with the education and flexibility needed in today’s busy world. Behind GCU’s online degrees is a network of dedicated, experienced faculty, numerous resources and a learning management system that is designed for you. Online programs are also an affordable option that offers you control over your schedule, helping you achieve balance in your personal and professional life.
Courses for both licensure and non-licensure education programs are taught by faculty who share knowledge and experience. This non-licensure master’s in special education program is ideal for those who already have a teaching license and are looking to take the next step in furthering their knowledge of special needs education. This program does not include a student teaching component and therefore does not lead to licensure.
GCU also offers the Master of Education in Special Education – Moderate to Severe (Licensure) degree for new teaching candidates who are seeking to apply for their teaching license following completion. This licensure master’s degree in special needs includes the required student teaching component, making you eligible to apply for your license.
In your master’s in special education degree program at GCU, you will study various topics that can help you learn to best manage a classroom and help those with moderate to severe exceptionalities receive a fulfilling education.
Some of the specific course topics you will cover include:
Ethical and legal practices
Adaptive communication
Planning for moderate to severe exceptionalities
Classroom management and behavior
Functional teaching methods
Students in the program are taught to work with individuals with moderate to severe exceptionalities and implement individualized educational plans to accommodate various student needs. GCU strives to equip graduates of this program who are already licensed to become a special education teacher in public, private or charter schools.
Job possibilities include:
Education teacher (postsecondary)
Special education teacher (kindergarten)
Special education teacher (elementary school)
We aim to provide you with comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions related to this graduate-level program. This section can address key aspects, degree completion requirements, curriculum details and career prospects.
Other industry settings that those with a special education master’s degree may explore outside of teaching include:
A degree in moderate to severe special education focuses on practices and implementation of strategies to provide specialized education to those with moderate to severe exceptionalities in a classroom setting. Moderate to severe disabilities include autism, moderate/severe intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, emotional disability, specific learning disability, orthopedic impairments, developmental delay and/or other health impairments.1
GCU’s special education master’s degree is designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. Those with a bachelor’s degree in any field — such as psychology — may be eligible for the program.
Depending on your career aspirations, there are various special education-related master’s degrees that may be complementary to a bachelor’s in special education. Degrees such as a Master of Education in Elementary and Special Education and Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education degree are all great options for those wanting to position themselves for possible career advancement in special education. A master’s in special education – moderate to severe is also a great option for those wanting to work with children with moderate to severe exceptionalities and deepen their knowledge of the special education field.
Follow your passion with GCU’s online courses by earning your master’s degree at GCU. Join us today!
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 Arizona Department of Education. (n.d.). Special Education Moderate/Severe Disabilities, K-12. Retrieved on Feb. 13, 2024.
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).
