Special Education (Teacher Certification), MEd
Earn your teacher certification in this Special Education master's program. Build expertise in educational design, sound decision-making and inclusive teaching practices that prepare you to lead a classroom.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
40 credit hours OR
44 credit hours
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
MLFC is currently not accepting applications for the Intensive Support Needs-Moderate/Severe track. Advisors are available to discuss other options. Email GraduateEducation@asu.edu or call 602-543-6358.
Special Education (Teacher Certification) master's description
If you have a bachelor's degree in any field, and want to become licensed to teach special education or those want to pursue dual certification in special education and elementary education, the Master of Education program in special education with a concentration in teacher certification is for you. The program builds on connections between educational design and decision-making and is designed to foster strong professional growth and leadership development.
The special education single certification program of study is flexible, and you can complete it within five semesters with the appropriate professional experience placements. The special education dual certification program can be completed in six to seven semesters, depending on the semester start. You can also enroll part-time over additional semesters.
Two routes are offered that lead to Arizona teacher certification:
- Traditional certification route: You can pursue single certification in special education for mild/moderate disabilities, or dual certification in special education for mild/moderate levels and elementary education.
- For single certification in special education for mild/moderate disabilities, you complete two internships and student teaching. Single special education certification graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification in Mild/Moderate Disabilities.
- For dual certification, you complete two internships: one in an elementary setting and one in a special education setting. You then complete two eight-week teaching student teaching experiences, one in a special education setting and one in an elementary school setting. Dual certification graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification in Mild/Moderate Disabilities, K-12, and Elementary Education, K-8.
- Alternative certification route: If you are currently employed full time by a school as a teacher of record, you can pursue an alternative certification route. To qualify, you must secure a full-time teaching position in an approved special education setting. This route leads to single certification in special education for mild/moderate disabilities; you are not able to pursue dual certification. You earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by ADE for teacher certification in Mild/Moderate Disabilities, K-12.
The program culminates in an applied project in which you apply what you've learned to address a problem of practice or topic related to education.
Why specialize in teacher certification at ASU?
At the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you can choose from both undergraduate and graduate options built to help you achieve teacher certification and step confidently into a teaching career.
Additional details
Here you tap into everything ASU offers, from its traditions to its full range of resources, while also finding a home in the more intimate MLFC community, surrounded by 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:
34 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) - Mild-Moderate Alternative Certification Pathway, or
34 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) - Mild-Moderate Traditional Certification Pathway, or
40 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) - Mild-Moderate Traditional Certification Pathway - Dual Elementary Education, or
44 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe Alternative Certification Pathway, or
44 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe Traditional Certification Pathway
Required Core (5 credit hours) Concentration (6 or 8 credit hours) SEI Endorsement (3 credit hours) Track (17, 21 or 27 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students who are seeking dual certification in elementary and special education must complete two internships --- one in elementary and one in special education --- and both an EED and SPE student teaching placement; this extends the teaching certification requirement by two credit hours, for a total of eight credit hours. Students who switch from Alternative Certification may substitute Apprentice Teaching for Student Teaching with permission from the program.
TEL 510 Instructional Design, Planning and Assessment (2)
TEL 517 Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision Making and Action (3)
Selected from the following according to certification option:
EED 557 Internship I (2)
EED 567 Internship II (2)
EED 582 Residency in Elementary Education for Dual Certification Semester Three Professional Experiences (2)
SPE 556 Internship I (2)
SPE 570 Internship II (2)
SPE 571 Apprentice Teaching I (2)
SPE 574 Apprentice Teaching II (2)
SPE 576 Internship III (2)
SPE 578 Student Teaching (2)
SPE 579 Apprentice Teaching III (2)
SPE 581 Dual Certification Residency (2)
SPE 596 Student Teaching Semester Three (2)
Mild-Moderate Track (17 credit hours)
Mild-Moderate Traditional Certification Pathway - Dual Elementary Education (21 credit hours)
Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe Track (27 credit hours)
SPE 593 Applied Project (3)
For the single certification concentration requirements, students complete six credit hours of professional experiences. For traditional certification in special education, at least two credit hours must be SPE Internship, and at least two credit hours must be SPE student teaching. For alternative certification in special education, at least four credit hours must be in Apprentice Teaching. Students who switch from Alternative Certification may substitute Apprentice Teaching for Student Teaching with permission from the program. Students who wish to their switch certification option midprogram should reach out to the academic unit for appropriate advisement.
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 the 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 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. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program. The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.
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
Careers this teacher certification concentration prepares you for
Graduates are highly sought-out teachers in public, charter and private education institutions. Students gain skills in teaching, conducting research, using technology and collaborating in teams --- all of which prepare them to successfully work with diverse learners in grades K-12.
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.
