Special Education, MEd
Master the educational design, decision making and evidence-based practices that support diverse learners. This degree prepares you to make informed instructional choices and shape learning that reaches every student in your classroom.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
35 credit hours
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
This program is currently not accepting applications for the Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe track. Advisors are available to discuss other options. Students can email GraduateEducation@asu.edu or call 602-543-6358.
Special Education master's description
The Master of Education program in special education prepares you to further your knowledge of special education for learners in grades K-12 with mild or moderate disabilities, if you do not need to obtain teacher certification. The program builds on connections between educational design and decision-making and fosters strong professional growth and development.
Faculty actively engage in the educational research community, bringing new and relevant knowledge into the program. You engage in your own research through applied project coursework, deepening your knowledge and improving your practice through research, critical evaluation and application of education concepts. The program culminates in an applied research project in which you apply what you've learned to address a challenge in special education.
The master's degree program does not lead to teacher certification. If you are interested in certification, you should enroll in the MEd program in special education with a concentration in teacher certification or the graduate certificate.
Why study special education at ASU?
At Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, we build programs that let you specialize in the areas that matter most to you, your learners and your community. You can gain the expertise to support diverse learners, elevate inclusive practices and lead with purpose in classrooms and beyond.
You can tap into every resource ASU offers, while also connecting with the more intimate MLFC community, people who share your passions and professional interests.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
31 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) - Mild-Moderate Track, or
35 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) - Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe
Required Core (5 credit hours) Track (17 or 27 credit hours) Elective (0 or 6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students in the Mild/Moderate track select six credit hours for electives in consultation with the academic unit. The Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe track does not include elective credit hours.
TEL 510 Instructional Design, Planning and Assessment (2)
TEL 517 Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision Making and Action (3)
Mild/Moderate Track (17 credit hours)
Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe Track (27 credit hours)
SPE 593 Applied Project (3)
Students select a track in either Mild/Moderate or Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe. Students should see the academic unit for track course requirements.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners
- Create learning experiences that address the content disciplines to engage learners in accessible, relevant, and meaningful content to ensure critical thinking and mastery of the content.
- Create and maintain inclusive, equitable learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning experiences, utilize high leverage practices, and foster critical thinking, active engagement, and well-being for all learners
- Use multiple methods of assessment and sources of data to evaluate various aspects of learners
- Apply strategies for teaming to meet students’ needs
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate strategies to promote habits of mind
- Build and implement a professional growth plan using evidence and reflective practices
- Advocate for students, families, and communities with an understanding of the historical, social, local, or global context
- Self-reflect and assess personal contributions for shaping and supporting the mission of a school/organization's culture
- Apply expectations of the profession
- Analyze key ethical issues present in a prominent social or cultural problem in education, including the ways different ethical perspectives influence decision making related to the issue
- Examine previous understandings and assumptions and articulate the impact of the local/cultural context, personal histories, and relevant experiences on problem(s) of practice
- Engage in iterative cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational contexts and systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners.
- Analyze a relevant problem of practice in an educational context and system informed by major theories, theorists, and/or frameworks
- Implement an applied project, synthesize the findings and defend the significance and implications of the study as relevant to social and global context
- Utilize research findings to improve their own practice
- Apply relevant interdisciplinary perspectives and methods to current practices as an educator
Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any content area or education-related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Application Information The personal statement should describe the personal and professional goals that motivate the applicant to apply to the graduate program and explain what led the applicant to this career path and how they will excel in the field of special education. The admission committee pays particular attention to the quality of writing and ideas expressed in the personal statement. The professional resume should be one to two pages and include relevant personal, professional, educational and community activities. The personal statement and professional resume should be prepared in one of the following file formats: MS Word (.doc), rich text (.rtf), Portable Document Format (.pdf), or text (.txt).
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
The careers this special education master's degree prepares you for:
Graduates are prepared to start or advance in educational careers working with diverse learners in grades K-12 in roles that do not require certification. Students gain skills in instruction, assessment, educational research and collaborating in teams --- all of which prepare them to successfully work in schools and other community-serving organizations. Roles may include noncertified educator in a charter or private school, or educator in a nonschool setting.
This program also may be suitable for certified teachers who do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree in education.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Division for Advancing Educator Preparation
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ED 118
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
