Online Master's in Special Education Degree
Specialize your training to support all individuals with diverse learning abilities and behavioral needs.
Achieve your online Special Education master's degree through the largest graduate program for Special Education teachers in the Midwest. In fact, UND has the only Special Education master’s degree in North Dakota and it’s 100% online. You’ll graduate prepared to lead in the field of special education and behavioral analysis.
- Program type:
- Master's Degree
- Format:
- Online
- Est. time to complete:
- 1.5+ years
- Credit hours:
- 30+
Why earn an online Special Education master's degree?
Specializations with a Special Education Online Master’s Degree
Customize your online master's degree in Special Education with ten specializations. We also offer online Special Education graduate certificates in ABA, ASD, BIS, EBD, ECSE, ID and LD.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
The ABA specialization has a comprehensive curriculum and intensive practicum. From mastering principles of assessment and behavior change systems to exploring diverse methods and their applications, you'll build a strong ABA foundation. Our focus on ethics and research methods will further enrich your understanding. The ABA specialization is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board is exclusive to the M.S. in Special Education.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The ASD specialization caters to individuals across the lifespan – from children and adolescents to adults – who are affected by ASD. Gain an understanding of various facets of ASD, including its characteristics, assessment techniques, and effective methods and strategies. You’ll learn to collaboration across agencies for support and gain hands-on experience in field settings.
Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS)
The BIS specialization prepares educators to support children and adolescents who use behaviors that interfere with instruction and social-emotional development. This specialization offers training and hands-on experience in assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors. Additionally, it focuses on fostering collaboration among interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders to provide targeted support to each child and their caregivers.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
The ECSE specialization area focuses on children from birth to age nine. It specifically targets developmental disabilities and addresses several aspects of ECSE. These include understanding the unique characteristics of disabilities, conducting assessments, implementing effective methods and strategies, and supporting all forms of development like language and physical growth.
Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
The EBD specialization area focuses on children and adolescents with both emotional and behavior disorders. This specialization covers a wide spectrum of ED-related aspects, such as understanding the unique characteristics of EBD’s, conducting assessments, and implementing effective behavior and academic strategies.
General Special Education
The flexible General Specialization is a “design your own program” option. You have the freedom to select courses from the entire range offered within the special education program, tailoring your education to your specific interests and goals.
Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
The ID specialization provides expertise in working with children and adolescents who have Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD). This specialization encompasses various crucial aspects of ID, including understanding the unique characteristics of DCD, conducting assessments, and implementing methods and strategies.
Learning Disabilities (LD)
The LD specialization focuses on helping children and adolescents facing learning challenges that aren't due to developmental, emotional, or cognitive disabilities. This specialization covers various important aspects of learning disabilities, including understanding their unique characteristics, conducting assessments, implementing effective methods and strategies, and applying these techniques in practical field settings.
Special Education Specialist (SES)
The SES specialization is a cross-category program that combines courses from the Intellectual ID, ED, and LD specialization areas. By covering three distinct disability areas, it's the most extensive specialization in terms of the number of credits required.
Visual Impairment (VI)
The VI specialization is dedicated to supporting children and teenagers who are blind or visually impaired. This specialization covers several facets of visual impairment, including understanding the characteristics of those with VI, conducting assessments, Braille code, implementing methods and strategies, and enhancing orientation and mobility skills.
Benefits of UND’s Special Education Online Master’s Degree
- No entry exams.
- Affordable tuition.
- Consistent course offerings for timely graduation.
- Take classes on your own time.
- No on-campus travel requirement.
- One-on-one advising.
- Option of on-the-job fieldwork.
- Master's project applicable to field.
- Coursework tied to practical experiences.
UND's Online Special Education Master’s Degree
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Obtain an online Special Education master’s degree accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Educational Standards and Practices Board (ESPB).
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Learn through our distinctive Resident Teachers program, which combines online coursework and on-the-job experience in a school district/special education unit.
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Pay the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than public four-year doctoral universities.
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Excel at our globally renowned online special education graduate program. We’re known for our expertise, leadership, diversity, and high-quality teacher preparation.
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Study with an interdisciplinary group of faculty members with extensive experience as teachers, professors, and researchers.
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Be part of the North Dakota Essential Skills Network. You’ll share experiences, celebrate successes, and problem-solve perceived barriers related to social emotional learning with peers.
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Behavior Certification Board Exam
Special Education Master's Online Courses
What can you with an online Special Education master's degree?
Best Special Education Online Master's Degree
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Leaders in Online Special Education Master's
FAQs
Yes, despite limited employment growth, about 33,500 openings for special education teachers are projected each year over the decade.
Our master's in Special Education degree usually spans a minimum of 1.5 years, although the exact time may vary depending on the pace and schedule of the student.
Yes, earning a master's degree in Special Education is an important step and can fulfill a portion of the criteria that leads to licensure as a special education teacher. Check the licensure requirements for the state you plan to work in to ensure you meet the specific requirements in that state.
To enroll in UND's M.S. in Special Education program, candidates must have a bachelor's degree in education, a minimum GPA of 2.75 and demonstrate English language proficiency. The M.Ed. program has similar requirements but is tailored for individuals who hold bachelor's degrees in fields other than education.
Certainly! UND's Special Education master's program is 100% online.
There are a variety of field experiences available in our master’s program. If already working in the field of special education, students can complete their fieldwork on-the-job with UND faculty support.
With asynchronous classes, you have the flexibility to learn anywhere at any time, allowing you to balance work, family and other commitments.
Compare our online and on campus costs. You'll find we are one of the most affordable chemical engineering schools in the Midwest. Our online students pay the same affordable tuition rate regardless of their legal residency.
UND is committed to assisting students in funding their education, providing over $105 million in financial aid annually. A range of financial aid options offered by UND, including scholarships (merit-based), grants (need-based), and loans, help students alleviate college costs.
Special Education Teacher in Action
Den Bolda earned his online master's in Special Education from UND. Now he is a successful special education teacher.