Master of Education in Special Education
Tempe, USA
DURATION
24 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Jun 2025
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
The Master of Education in Special Education program is a 36-credit K-12 program that offers a rich combination of online learning, classroom practice, learning community sharing, research and analysis, and assessment to produce teachers that are capable of making a difference in student learning and achievement. Online examples in each lesson are provided to help primary, intermediate, junior, and senior high school special education teachers in any subject or lesson. The program is entirely customized through the use of examples, strategies, and assignments for any teacher to gain and sharpen instructional skills for special education students.
The courses that make up the program curriculum are designed to prepare and strengthen the teacher by providing the most current research-based and proven educational strategies and knowledge for meeting special education needs. The curriculum encompasses learning theory, educational foundations, brain theory, best practices, curriculum development, standards, and assessment. The courses in child and adolescent development, special needs, and classroom management provide a framework of how teachers can provide appropriate strategies and environments for all students. The study of school systems and decision-making assist the student in the governance of the school. A mentored practicum and portfolio project are included to enable the student to synthesize the knowledge and skills of the program into his/her personal understanding of an effective resource classroom for special education students.
Ideal Students
The master’s degree programs at Acacia University are designed for certified teachers who want to acquire advanced expertise in education. Gain the skills to provide your students with the best learning foundation possible.
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Academic Courses: (Required)
- EDC501 Instructional Strategies for Students with Special Needs
- EDC511 Classroom Assessment in Special Education
- EDC521 Strategies for Improving Comprehension for Students with Special Needs
General Education Courses: (Required)
- EDC541 Classroom Management for Students with Diverse Needs
- EDC551 Child and Adolescent Development
- EDC561 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Methods in Special Education
- EDC571 Special Needs Students (Special Education, Gifted, English Language Learners)
Applied General Education Courses: (Required)
- EDC581 Diagnosis and Assessment in Special Education
- EDC578 English Language Learners with Special Needs
- EDC611-1 Portfolio Project: Research Methods
- EDC611-2 Portfolio Project: Action Research
- EDC621 Special Education Internship (US students)
- EDC621-1 Foundations of Mentoring (International students)
- EDC621-2 Mentored Practicum: Onsite (International students)
Transfer Credits
Acacia University recognizes the prior learning of admitted students by awarding credit for courses at the graduate level, completed at an accredited institution, and documented through official transcript when the credit is applicable to the student’s degree program at Acacia University. As many as twelve (12) credits may be transferred.
If an applicant has earned a degree at another university, credits from that degree cannot be transferred or used for an additional degree at Acacia University.
The acceptance of transfer credits between institutions lies within the discretion of the receiving college or university. Credits earned at other institutions may or may not be accepted by Acacia University. Likewise, credits earned at Acacia University may or may not be accepted by another institution depending upon its own programs, policies, and regulations. Students planning to complete credits for a graduate degree in another college, university, or graduate school are advised to contact the Admissions Office of such institution in advance of applying.
Program Outcome
At the end of this program, students will be able to:
- Create and maintain a positive learning environment that will support and increase the achievement of special education students
- Consistently integrate the Power Strategies with other research-based strategies into their instruction
- Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the process and principles of curriculum design and assessment so they can plan effective instructional and assessment strategies for the resource classroom
- Develop and implement an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Develop meaningful accommodations to maximize access to curriculum
- Understand and apply modifications to content, methods, and pacing of curriculum
- Design and implement developmentally appropriate strategies that foster, nurture, and develop skills in students that are within, and outside of, the normal range of child development
- Design and implement strategies to meet the special educational needs of students in the resource classroom.
- Collaborate with colleagues in meaningful ways about students and instructional strategies.
- Analyze the national or state standards that are required and design instruction and instructional strategies that will enable special education students to meet the standards.
- Communicate effectively with parents and other caregivers about the special education students’ successes, needs, and areas of improvement
- Provide mentoring to other teachers as they implement effective strategies in the classroom.
- Implement a coherent and effective special education resource classroom utilizing appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.
- Apply research and analysis skills to design and complete a project that would provide insight on a special education topic of their choice.