Special Education
Ready to change the game?
Improve your classroom practice with a degree in Special Education and learn the skills and knowledge required to plan, deliver, and monitor specialized, individualized instructional and assessment practices. Move beyond just a participant in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and become a leader.
The program is generalist in its approach and allows for endorsement preparation. Through our program teachers are prepared to work with students, in inclusive and special education settings, who are identified with a variety of disabilities ranging from mild to severe intensity.
Program Highlights
- Fully online degree
- Manageable workload for full-time educators
- Finish in 2 years
- Accredited program with full access to school library and campus resources
- Real world and practical skills that are integrated into coursework from the beginning to the end of the program
- Interdisciplinary focus
- Advice and mentorship by diverse and experienced special education professionals
- Faith based, Christian institution
Start Dates
- Rolling admissions – start any quarter
- Seating limited to 20 students – reserve a spot today
Designed with pre-service and in-service teachers in mind.
The duration of the program varies with each individual program of study. For instance, candidates who declared Elementary Education major with Special Education as their chosen “other endorsable content area” will, upon satisfactory completion of degree and WA State Certification requirements, be eligible for the Special Education endorsement.
Similarly, Special Education competencies are built into the Master of Education – candidates who have successfully met the requirements will be eligible for the Special Education endorsement. Candidate individualized length of program may progress as follows:
- Elementary Undergraduate with SPED minor or endorsement: 4 years (including summers as needed & HYBRID)
- Secondary Certification with SPED minor or endorsement: 4 years (including summers as needed)
- Master of Initial Teaching (MIT) Instruction Elementary with SPED: 31 credits endorsable content area: 2 ½ - 3 years (candidates who have not completed any SPED competencies prior to acceptance into the program). In-person, including Summers as needed and Hybrid courses.
- Master of Initial Teaching (MIT) Instruction Secondary Certification with SPED: 31credits endorsable content area: 2 - 2 ½ years. Including Summers as needed and HYBRID
- Master of Education (M.Ed) Special Education -- Research Track 52 credits (current teachers adding SPED P-12 endorsement): 4 ½ years SUMMERS ONLY ONLINE
- Master of Education (M.Ed) Special Education -- Applied Track 46 credits (current certified teachers adding SPED P-12 endorsement): 2 years ONLINE
The objectives of the online special education programs are to advance educators’ abilities to:
- Design and implement practical lessons based on knowledge of students, curricula, and best pedagogical practices.
- Integrate technology to improve teaching, learning, and professional productivity.
- Adapt learning environments, instructional strategies, and assessment techniques to meet the needs of culturally and developmentally diverse students.
- Demonstrate leadership behaviors and dispositions in professional contexts and promote the development of the holistic child.
- Engage in reflective practice to improve teaching and learning.
- Apply knowledge of special education principles, theories, laws, policies, and ethical practice in the comprehensive delivery of services to individuals with exceptional learning needs associated with emotional, intellectual, learning, or severe disabilities, as well as dually-diagnosed students with a gift and a disability.
Loan repayment as low as $221 if using financial aid.*
- 33% graduate tuition discount for full-time teachers
- Financial aid (Direct Stafford Loans) and interest-free payment plans are available.
- Student loan payments may be deferred until program completion
- Teacher Loan Forgiveness of up to $5,000 or more is available for teachers who teach for five years in low-income schools and meet other requirements.
- Learn more about finances for graduate students >
- Current NPUC teachers can receive tuition waivers. Learn more >
*The repayment example set forth is for illustrative purposes only and was calculated based on a standard amortization federal Stafford loan assuming a loan amount of $20,580, a payment term of 10 years, and a fixed interest rate equal to 5.28%. Loan amount of $20,580 is based on the total tuition price for the discounted SPED master's program. Your total loan amount may vary based on program selection. The loan calculator used in this example is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov. It is your responsibility to verify your eligibility by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. All loans are subject to federal student aid guidelines. The actual interest rate may change periodically based on federal regulations. If you elect to defer payments until graduation, loan interest may accrue during deferment
What can I do with a degree in Special Education?
This area of specialization is in high demand in the United States and around the world. Significantly improve your job prospects and marketability in education. Work with students of various learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities
Did you know that the U.S. Department of Education consistently identifies Special Education in the top four areas of “teacher shortage”?* This means job security and options to move around with stable employment options.
Employment opportunities can include classroom teacher, district-level support in special education (e.g., consulting teacher, coach), and leadership positions such as Director of Special Education, as well as state-level support positions (e.g., Education Associate).
*The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education . (2020). Degree Trends in High Demand Teaching Specialties: 2009-10 to 2016-17. AACTE Issue Brief Series.