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Special Education Teaching
Master of Science in Education
Pursue your calling to help children with special needs achieve their best. The MS in Education, Special Education Teaching from Capella University can help you take your next career steps in a vital and rewarding field.
In this program, you’ll focus on effective ways to implement specialized teaching, build effective curricula, and collaborate with other professionals to drive positive outcomes for diverse students of all abilities. You can develop knowledge and assessment principles for special education in diverse educational settings, and open the door to leadership roles.
Classes start January 8
Use the code MSFALL to waive the $50 application fee.
At a glance
- Online
- 6 Courses
- 4 Specialization courses
- Capstone
- 46 Total quarter credits
- 12 Maximum transfer credits
Reduce your tuition by $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore special education teaching courses
- This degree requires a total of 46 program credits
- You’ll need to complete six core courses, four specialization courses and one capstone
| ED5706 |
Assessment and Planning for Students with Disabilities
Learners in this course study referral, assessment, placement, and planning procedures for students with disabilities. Learners evaluate the use of formal and informal assessments, design individual education plans, and examine appropriate methods for reducing bias in assessment. Learners also apply methods and strategies used within the Response to Intervention framework with P–12 students. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| ED5707 |
Instruction for Students with Disabilities
In this course, learners study ways to develop differentiated academic lesson plans (e.g., reading, writing, calculation, or mathematical reasoning). Learners examine how research-based instruction can support students with disabilities. Learners also develop methods of managing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities. This course requires access to a P–12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P–12 school or district. |
4 quarter credits |
| ED5712 |
Communication, Consultation, and Collaboration for Special Education
Learners investigate communication and interaction among children, families, teachers, and the community to support the learning and well-being of students with diverse learning needs. Learners assess methods of consulting and collaborating with teachers, agencies, support personnel, and other professionals to provide effective special educational services. Learners identify culturally responsive collaboration and communication practices that improve programs, services, and outcomes for diverse learners. |
4 quarter credits |
| EDT5142 |
Adaptive Instruction and Assessment
In this course, learners analyze theories of constructivism and cognitive flexibility and implement adaptive learning approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners. Further, learners apply the Universal Design framework to instructional design and evaluate adaptive learning dashboards that provide continuous assessment of mastery-based learning. Learners also analyze facilitator-driven and assessment-driven systems and evaluate the effectiveness of mastery-based learning in student needs, including those of students with disabilities, English-language learners, and students who are gifted or talented. The course includes an emphasis on the purpose and impact of computer-aided instruction and assessment on student achievement in competency-based education (CBE). This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners. |
4 quarter credits |
| EDT5150 |
Instructional Coaching to Improve Teaching and Learning
Learners investigate solution-oriented coaching models and techniques. Learners evaluate and implement coaching models, planning strategies for professional growth, setting goals, monitoring progress, and identifying accountabilities in order to determine the effectiveness of assessment and evaluation models that aim to strengthen the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and classroom practices of teachers. Learners also review comprehensive performance assessment and evaluation systems that provide targeted support, assistance, and professional growth opportunities based on teachers’ individual needs as well as the needs of their students, schools, and districts. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners. |
4 quarter credits |
What you'll learn
This specialization is for teachers who want to help students with disabilities achieve their best in P–12 environments. The curriculum, developed around national special education standards, is designed to help teachers effectively instruct and advocate for the increasingly diverse populations of children with disabilities. You’ll study current and emerging instruction practices, strategies, and techniques for teaching children with disabilities, while gaining experience that is applicable and relevant to your current work. The Special Education Teaching specialization incorporates the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) advanced preparation standards to assure that individuals with exceptionalities have well-prepared, career-oriented special educators.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Understand the role and structure of special education within the educational system
- Collaborate effectively with all stakeholders to support individuals with exceptional needs
- Plan, implement, and evaluate curriculum and instructional strategies to enhance and promote learning
- Ethically and professionally apply policy and procedures for individuals with exceptional needs
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
How much does the MS in Education cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
$15,980
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS
$21,620
AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS
$470 per credit, $150 resource kit fee, 46 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 10, 2023, and is subject to change. Your price will vary depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. Books, supplies, and other fees are not included in this estimate. GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits or the maximum allowed transfer credits. New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs.
Capella is committed to transparency in its tuition and pricing. In addition to tuition, you will be responsible for additional costs, which may include an application fee, travel expenses, and practicum costs. A resource kit fee of $50-$200, charged quarterly or per billing session, covers the cost of required books, software, and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
“The field of education is constantly changing, so as a teacher, I need to constantly be learning as much as I can to stay on the top of my game, and then give my students the best education that I can.”
Michelle Emerson* – Master of Education graduate
*Actual FlexPath graduate compensated for appearing in Capella promotional materials.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the MS in Education admission requirements?
Applicants to the MSEd in Special Education Teaching program must provide the following information for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
- An Experience and Access Acknowledgement form that verifies understanding of requirements needed to successfully complete coursework
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
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What can you do with an MS in Education Special Education Teaching degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MSEd in Special Education Teaching.
Job titles to explore
- Special education teacher
- Special education lead teacher
- Adjunct or part-time faculty of education courses
Employment settings to explore
- K–12 public or private school
- K–12 virtual or charter school
- Residential facility
- Hospital
- Childcare center
- Land-based or online college or university
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.