Master of Science in Education in Special Education Online

Develop the tools and skills you need to create safe and inclusive learning environments for students with learning and/or physical disabilities.

Apply by: 1/3/25
Start class: 1/13/25 Apply Now Apply Now

Program Overview

Why consider the master’s in special education online program at Northwest

The MSEd. in Special Education online program from Northwest Missouri State University is designed to prepare you to teach students with mild or moderate disabilities across a variety of school settings. Through data-driven instruction and current innovative, evidence-based strategies, you can also prepare for certification in special education.

In this online master’s program, you will learn to collaborate with stakeholders in culturally responsible ways to address the needs of students with mild or moderate learning and/or physical disabilities. You'll also learn to apply evidence-based instructional strategies suited to fit students' individualized educational goals and to apply multiple methods of assessment and data-gathering to measure their progress. With field experiences embedded in the coursework, this program will enable you to become an effective voice for special needs students.

If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this online special education master’s program fits the certification requirements for your state.

Graduates of this online special education master’s program will be able to:

  • Collaborate with stakeholders in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences
  • Select, adapt and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities
  • Create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions and self-determination
  • Use multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions
Graduates of this online special education master’s program will be able to:
  • Collaborate with stakeholders in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences
  • Select, adapt and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities
  • Create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions and self-determination
  • Use multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions

Teaching career opportunities include:

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Program Teacher
  • Intervention Specialist
  • Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher
Teaching career opportunities include:
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Program Teacher
  • Intervention Specialist
  • Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

Also available:

Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.

Total Tuition $11,730*
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

Call 844-890-9304

Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

Our MSEd. in Special Education online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
MSEd. in Special Ed $391 $1,173 $11,730

Important Refund Information

2nd day of class Last date for 100% refund for dropped course
4th day of class Last date for 75% refund for dropped course
6th day of class Last date for 50% refund for dropped course
8th day of class Last date for 25% refund for dropped course

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $11,730*
Per Credit Hour $391

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

Calendar

Dates you need to know

Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/21/2410/7/2410/10/2410/14/2410/16/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/6/251/7/251/8/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/27/253/3/253/5/254/25/25
Summer 15/5/254/21/254/24/254/28/254/30/256/20/25
Summer 26/23/256/6/256/11/256/13/256/17/258/8/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 1/3/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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Admissions

Steps to being admitted into our online special education master’s program

At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the MSEd. in Special Education online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Teaching certificate, valid and in good standing
View all admission requirements +

To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:

  • An official undergraduate transcript from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 OR an official undergraduate transcript from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 with a 3.0 GPA in the first six semester hours of graduate study at Northwest in the major where admission is requested.
  • Documentation of ONE of the following:
    • Valid teaching certificate
    • Two years prior teaching with a valid teaching certificate at the time of teaching
    • Training or appropriate credentialing in specialized/related field

Official transcript(s) can be emailed to: [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Graduate Records Specialist
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.

Click here for State Authorization information.


Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Teaching certificate, valid and in good standing

Courses

The degree plan for our master’s in special education online program

For the MSEd. in Special Education online, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours).

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will focus on the development of skills related to finding, evaluating, analyzing, prioritizing and integrating data sources for the improvement of student learning. Students will retrieve data, develop an action plan for improvement, and create a project demonstrating proficiency in data literacy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students who complete this course understand and demonstrate the capability to promote the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills and commitments necessary for equitable protocols for student support, equitable access in a least restrictive environment, responsive practices for culturally responsive teaching and leadership, and a supportive school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Discussion of strategies designed to foster effective collaborative, conferencing and communication skills. These skills will enhance partnerships between families of students with exceptional needs, general and special education teachers, para educators, and other support personnel.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introductory course designed to provide an initial understanding of K-12 students with mild to moderate disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, and physical and other health impairments. **Required first course for the MSEd in Special Education with Certification program.**
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Methods and strategies, including numerous examples of curricular and instructional methodologies utilized in teaching K-12 students with mild to moderate disabilities such as learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, and physical and other health impairments.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Procedures, responsibilities and problems relating to the administration of special education programs. These experiences should include, but not be limited to, the following: administrative patterns, legal basis, financial aspects, placement conferences, managing the IEP, placement alternatives, program evaluation, inclusion, and grant development. Prerequisite: EDCI 62642 and EDCI 62643, or permission of instructor.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course includes the administration and interpretation of the most commonly used individual tests of ability and achievement used to evaluate students and make data-based decisions with an emphasis in the areas of special education and reading.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the student with an understanding of principles, methods, and procedures of transition and career education for students with disabilities. The course includes the process for organizing a program to assist youth in choosing, preparing for, entering upon, and making adjustments in transitioning across childhood and from school to post-secondary options with a focus on the linking of resources in the transition from school to a wide-range of adult settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide teachers with both technical and functional understanding of applied behavior analysis, as well as strategies for the everyday applications of behavior management in classrooms and other educational settings. Evidence-based behavior intervention practices to assess, change, or modify behavior will be explored while exploring the concepts, assumptions, misconceptions, and historical foundations of behavior.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This capstone course will provide an avenue for scholarly study of current professional literature on a variety of current issues and trends in the field of special education. Designed to complement and extend student's study of relevant topics. As a part of this course, students will complete the written assessment of competency mastery. **Required last course for the MSEd in Special Education with Certification program.**

Ranked #1

Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.

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