How Can You Specialize a Master’s in Education in Special Education?

Those interested in helping exceptional-needs children and youth find academic success may wish to specialize a Master’s in Education in Special Education. Such masters are part of the necessary credentials required by many employers to work with a broad range of students from birth through 21 years who may exhibit mild to severe disabilities that significantly interfere with aspects of learning, behavior, communication, socialization or mobility. Graduates who do specialize a Master’s in Education in Special Education are prepared to follow federal and state guidelines for providing appropriate services that allow students with disabilities to access their education through modified instructional approaches and remediation programs, according to the Atlantic.

Degree Pathways

Accredited, post-secondary institutions provide various formats to acquire an M.Ed. in Special Education. Popular programs for traditional college students include those that earn candidates dual bachelor’s/master’s degrees in five years. Alternatively, working professionals with educational backgrounds may require programs with more flexibility. For this reason, accredited online degrees for an M.Ed. in Special Education are often considered. Online graduate degrees in special education typically span 30-36 credit hours and can be completed in 18 to 24 months. Regardless of the format, schools should hold appropriate accreditation by organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission and its regional affiliates, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or the National Association of Special Education Teachers.

Course Studies and Training

Several endorsement areas are available to specialize a Master’s in Education in Special Education:

• Intellectual, emotional or learning disabilities
• Other health impairments, including attention deficits and neurological impairments
• Early-childhood, developmental disabilities
• Autism
• Orthopedic or physical impairments
• Speech and hearing disorders

Studies cover special education history, learning theories, cognitive and behavioral processes, trending instructional methods, and evidence-based practices for the classroom. Candidates will learn how to assess developmental and educational abilities based on standardized test protocols and interpret those results to recommend services, supports and instructional goals for Individual Education Plans that help students access their curriculum. In addition to coursework, candidates will also participate in supervised teaching experiences, take a comprehensive examination and complete a project or thesis.

Degree Outcomes

Depending on state regulations, graduates may earn generalized endorsements to work across several disability areas or individual endorsements permitting work with a single disability group. Degree graduates are prepared to sit for professional certification exams and apply for state licensure. A Master’s in Special Education also provides a foundation for further graduate studies in the field leading to research or administrative positions.

Related Resource: Become a Gifted Resource Teacher

Special educators have varied and interesting jobs. They can collaboratively teach in inclusion classrooms; mentor colleagues about special education instruction; supervise teachers in training; act as a liaison between students, teachers and families; teach career readiness skills; advise students about work and college opportunities; or coordinate special education services on the district level. Work settings include public schools, residential facilities, charter schools, private schools or post-secondary institutions. If assisting high-risk student populations to achieve greater academic success sounds appealing, then seeking to specialize a Master’s in Education in Special Education may a good degree option to consider.