Teacher with students

General Studies Degree with Master's in Special Education

Accelerated B.G.S./M.Ed.

Graduate with a B.G.S. in general studies and M.Ed. in special education in an accelerated time frame.

UND’s Bachelor of General Studies major empowers you to choose courses from a variety of academic departments while earning a master's degree in Special Education.

Program type:
Accelerated (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
3-4 years
Credit hours:
120 (bachelor's), 30+ (master's)

Why combine degrees in General Studies and Special Education?

Undergraduate Application Deadlines
FALL:
Aug. 16
SPRING:
Dec. 15
SUMMER:
May 1
Graduate Application Deadlines
FALL:
July 15
SPRING:
Nov. 15
SUMMER:
March 15

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

  1. Apply to UND as a freshman or transfer student.
  2. Once you have earned 60 credits, apply to UND Graduate School to enroll in the M.Ed. 4+1 program in Special Education. Your application must be completed at least one semester before dual enrollment courses are taken.

With the accelerated online program, you'll gain a bachelor’s in General Studies, minor in Special Education and master of education in Special Education. Upon degree completion, you have completed an important step towards licensure in Special Education.

As you earn your bachelor's and master's degree online, you’ll focus on individuals with disabilities in the context of family, culture, and community. You’ll explore developmentally appropriate practices, emergent curriculum, descriptive assessment, and problem-solving approaches to assist individuals with disabilities. You will learn online from an interdisciplinary group of faculty members with extensive experience as practitioners, professors and researchers.

How does an accelerated online Special Education program work?

The online degree programs M.Ed. in Special Education allows those with an associate’s degree in education or currently enrolled undergraduate students at UND an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace.

The Accelerated Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) and the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education degree program allows exceptional undergraduate students at UND an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the B.S.G. and M.Ed. in Special Education at an accelerated pace. Admitted students may double count up to twelve (12) graduate-level credits and obtain a master's degree within 12 months of completing the bachelor's degree.

The Accelerated B.G.S./M.Ed. in SPED is often a stepping stone into UND’s Special Education Resident Teacher Program (SERTP). Accelerated B.G.S./M.Ed. students do not need to apply to the SERTP. For further information, contact Amy Jacobson

Accredited Online Accelerated Special Education Degree

Teacher education programs at UND are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The online program follows the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

UND also offers a Graduate Certificate in Special Education.

Stack Your Credentials

Your time is important, and we know you want to get the most out of the programs you choose. While you are earning your accelerated degree in General Studies (BGS) and master's in Special Education (M.Ed.), you have the opportunity to earn credits for the SPED Technician Certification that can enhance your teaching ability, help you earn more and make the best use of your time while completing the program and earning the SPED Technician certification. 

You can become a fully licensed special education teacher by completing the technician certificate, then completing a bachelor’s degree and finishing with a master’s in special education—all on an accelerated timeline.

  • While enrolled in the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS), you can continue working as a paraeducator in a school.
  • Completion of the required SPED Technician coursework counts toward your BGS as well as the MEd in Special Education.
  • This 43-credit, state-approved program is 100% online, allowing for maximum flexibility.

 

Online Accelerated Special Education Program

  • We offer an approved teacher certification program for North Dakota that is transferable to most states.

  • UND's Special Education program is approved by Educational Standards and Practices Board (ESPB).

  • We are globally renowned for our expertise, leadership, diversity, and high quality teacher and professional preparation in the field of special education.

  • Become immersed in experiential learning opportunities that allow you to acquire and master teaching and assessment skills with case study students while under the mentorship of UND Special Education faculty and highly qualified special educators in the field.

  • Our unique program allows Resident Teachers (RTs) to earn a master's degree in special education through online coursework and on-the-job experience in a school district/special education unit.

  • Be a part of Graduate Research Achievement Day or the College of Education & Human Development Research Conference.

What can I do as a special education teacher?

34K

Openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

63K

Median annual wage for special education teachers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job prospects for special education teachers are excellent due to the rising enrollments of students receiving special education and shortages of qualified teachers. Job openings are expected as a result or teacher retirements or career changes.

When You Earn a Master's Degree in Special Education

A Special Education master's degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Curriculum Development
  • Lesson Planning
  • Event Planning
  • Autism Therapies
  • Strategic Planning

Our graduates work in schools, hospitals, human services agencies, state and private institutions and in private practice. Special Education alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • West Fargo School District
  • Anne Carlsen Center
  • Grand Forks Public Schools
  • Blake High School
  • Family Support Services of North Idaho, LLC

Online Special Education Teacher Courses

T&L 251. Understanding Individuals with Different Abilities. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to introduce students to foundational knowledge of individuals with different abilities addressing the identification, supports, range of services, assessment components, and evidence-based teaching practices. Historical, legal, cultural, and societal influences that impacts educational success will be explored. F,S,SS, even years.

T&L 413. Assessing and Correcting Reading Difficulties. 3 Credits.

This course and embedded 15-hour field experience examines research-based assessment techniques and tools aligned to the five components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Students will have opportunities to administer and interpret research-based literacy assessment results to plan differentiated and independent instruction. Corequisite: This course is recommended to take at the same time as T&L 444. F,SS.

T&L 474. STEM Concepts in the Elementary Classroom. 3 Credits.

Elementary school teachers must know and understand the fundamental concepts and practices in all domains of science (physical, life, earth and space sciences), as well as how technology, engineering, and math are integrated into this subject matter, so that they can plan and effectively implement meaningful and engaging STEM learning experiences for their students. This course will provide a foundation in the science content necessary for elementary teachers to know through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach. Further, it will introduce students to effective teaching strategies for not only integrating the components of STEM across all science domains but for making STEM accessible for diverse learners as well. F,S,SS.

SPED 521. IEP and the Transition Process. 3 Credits.

This course covers the development of a federally mandated Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students identified with one of the 13 disability areas as defined by IDEA. Additionally, this course focuses on education, personal, and vocational transition for students with disabilities. Assessment and transition program planning will be covered along with interagency collaboration skills and career awareness. F,S,SS.

SPED 525. Legal/Ethical Aspects in Special Education. 3 Credits.

This course covers the theory and study of special education law for children & youth with disabilities. F,S,SS.

SPED 550. Foundations of Special Education with Emphasis in ASD, EBD, ID, and LD. 3 Credits.

The course provides an introduction to perspectives and policies for identifying and supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), learning disabilities (LD), emotional behavioral disorders (EBD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Students will gain an understanding of service delivery models within special education based on a multi-systems approach. The course addresses aspects of diversity for individuals with exceptionalities and their families, and how these complex issues can interact with the delivery of educational and related services. Effective communication and collaboration models are emphasized through a culturally responsive lens. The course is designed around reflective thinking and critical analysis of varied issues related to the provision of quality lifelong supports such as characteristics, prevalence, etiology and educational impact. F,S,SS.

 

Accelerated Online Special Education Program

+160

online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

The entire degree program is fully online. You are never required to come to campus.

Flexible Online Accelerated Education Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Student Resources

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

 

Leader in Special Education

Den Bolda, special education teacher at Fargo North High School, is a graduate of UND's online Special Education program.

Read Den's Story

Explore More Options

Looking to connect with the college or find a similar degree?

Department Contact
Amy Jacobson
Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice
P 701.777.4719

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