Master of Education in Special Education online

Apply by: 12/8/24
Start Class: 1/6/25
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Program Overview

A snapshot of the online master’s in special education

As low as $13,428* Tuition
As few as 12 months Program Duration
36 Credit Hours

The Master of Education in Special Education online program from Florida Gulf Coast University is built for general educators—as well as those without teaching experience—who want to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities while advancing professionally.

In this M.Ed. Special Education online program, you will develop a familiarity with trends and issues related to the education of exceptional students. You will also cultivate your understanding of instructional strategies and techniques that are effective for teaching students with behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities and learning disorders.

In this innovative program, you will study the foundations of special education, advanced assessment procedures, transitional programming for those with exceptionalities, database and metacognitive strategy instruction, the complexities of social and biological aspects of intellectual disabilities, and much more. In addition to our vigorous core curriculum, you will participate in one advanced seminar that is a critical examination of topics in the field of special education.

CAEP Accredited Provider

The Florida Gulf Coast College of Education educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by CAEP.

Best online programs by US News World Report

Ranked among the "Best Online Master's in Education Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2024)

Graduates of this M.Ed. Special Education online program will be able to:

  • Review and critique a variety of assessment procedures that are commonly used in special education programs
  • Utilize collaborative models and theories to work with teams of professionals and parents
  • Implement techniques that effectively meet the needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorders in the classroom
  • Enhance opportunities for successful transitions of exceptional students in areas such as social skills, strategy and career/vocational training
  • Become academically prepared to sit for the Florida Subject Area Examination for Special Education Endorsement
+Graduates of this M.Ed. Special Education online program will be able to:
  • Review and critique a variety of assessment procedures that are commonly used in special education programs
  • Utilize collaborative models and theories to work with teams of professionals and parents
  • Implement techniques that effectively meet the needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorders in the classroom
  • Enhance opportunities for successful transitions of exceptional students in areas such as social skills, strategy and career/vocational training
  • Become academically prepared to sit for the Florida Subject Area Examination for Special Education Endorsement
Graduates of this online program will be able to:
  • Review and critique a variety of assessment procedures that are commonly used in special education programs
  • Utilize collaborative models and theories to work with teams of professionals and parents
  • Implement techniques that effectively meet the needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorders in the classroom
  • Enhance opportunities for successful transitions of exceptional students in areas such as social skills, strategy and career/vocational training
  • Become academically prepared to sit for the Florida Subject Area Examination for Special Education Endorsement

This online education program prepares you for roles such as:

  • Director of Special Education
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Special Education Supervisor or Coordinator
  • Leader in agencies for adults with disabilities such as Lighthouse for the Blind
  • Expert in state agencies including Division for Developmental Disabilities
This program prepares you for roles in areas such as:
  • Director of Special Education
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Special Education Supervisor or Coordinator
  • Leader in agencies for adults with disabilities such as Lighthouse for the Blind
  • Expert in state agencies including Division for Developmental Disabilities

Also available

FGCU offers a variety of specialized education degrees. Check out all of our online education programs.

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Tuition

Discover the value of our low-cost tuition

The M.Ed. Special Education online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition.

Tuition breakdown:

$373 Per Credit Hour
As low as $13,428* Total Tuition
View full tuition breakdown
Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program
M.Ed. – Special Education $373 $1,119 $13,428

*Tuition is as low as $13,428. Waiver available for out-of-state tuition. Prices subject to change at any time.

Calendar

Review the schedule for our online education program

FGCU online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Get started today!

Now enrolling:

12/8/24 Next Application Deadline
1/6/25 Start Classes

View full calendar  + 

First StartsProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineDrop/Add DeadlineLast Class Day
Spring 11/6/2512/8/2412/15/241/5/251/10/251/8/252/22/25
Spring 23/10/252/9/252/23/253/9/253/14/253/12/254/26/25
Ready to take the next step toward earning your online degree from FGCU?
Apply Now

Admissions

Read the details of our admission criteria

At FGCU, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the master’s in special education online degree, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.

Letter of intent explaining why you're seeking admission to this program
Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university
GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
View admission requirements

You must meet the following requirements for admission to the M.Ed. Special Education online program.

  • Submit graduate application and $30 application fee
  • Official academic transcripts from every college or university attended
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • A minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours accrued to the undergraduate degree OR a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • An in-person, phone or virtual interview if GPA is below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • One-page personal statement about your career and personal goals connected with pursuing graduate work in special education. This statement should explain your motivation for pursuing a master's degree in special education.
  • For international students: a TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based)

Performance in courses taken in other graduate degrees and/or non-degree seeking post-baccalaureates will be taken into consideration for admission.

Official transcripts, test scores and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:

Email address: [email protected]

Mailing address:

10501 FGCU Blvd. South
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
FGCU - Ranked #7

FGCU is ranked #7 (tie) among the “Most Innovative Schools, Regional Universities South” by U.S. News & World Report (2022)

Courses

Advance your knowledge in our online special education curriculum

For the M.Ed. Special Education online program, you must complete 36 credit hours of core courses, which includes one advanced seminar.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Current state of the art trends as well as issues related to the education of exceptional students are addressed. In addition to the specific exceptional student populations, including the culturally diverse attention will be directed to the issues of definitions, identification and assessment practices.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Primary goals are to review and critique a variety of assessment procedures that are commonly used in special education programs and to examine the assessment process and the attendant policies and legal issues in special education. Preferred courses in Measurement and Introductory Special Ed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to provide teachers of individuals with disabilities with skills to enhance opportunities for successful transitions. Specific skill areas addressed include strategy, social skill and career/vocational instruction.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In-depth study of instructional strategies that are effective when teaching students with behavior disorders, mental retardation (developmental disabilities) and learning disabilities. Content includes techniques for curriculum adaptation, IEP development, direct, database and metacognitive strategy instruction, and technology applications.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A critical look at the conceptual and research bases of disciplinary approaches commonly seen in classrooms for exceptional students, with particular attention to those systems that support the inclusion and success of students with disabilities. Understanding and dealing with challenging student behaviors, reviewing theories commonly used, critiquing intervention research, and examining teacher beliefs that underlie teacher interventions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analysis of major types of educational research design, including experimental, correlational, ex post facto, and case studies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An understanding of the theoretical bases for explaining, preventing and treating emotional and behavioral disorders, and in implementing myriad techniques to effectively meet the needs of children and youth with behavioral and emotional disorders.The course is designed for Master's level students who plan to teach students with emotional and behavioral disorders in school and clinical settings. The focus is on etiological theories and their associated interventions relative to emotional and behavioral disabilities observed in educational settings. This course will help students integrate theoretical concepts with specific culturally sensitive approaches for identifying, classifying and intervening with students with behavior disorders and their families.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Collaborative/consultative models for special education majors including theories and research pertaining to consultation, working with teams of other professionals, and collaborating with parents and professionals.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A broad systemic view of family theory amenable to the panorama of ethnic and cultural diversity. Stresses the multi-faceted role of the special education teacher, an increased emphasis on today's pluralistic society, the need to keep abreast of the changing discipline of exceptional education, the importance of collaboration with other child-caring disciplines, and the ability to identify and intervene with families and children at risk.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A review of the role of theory in the development of the field of learning disabilities. Students will be given the opportunity to study the major theories that have shaped the field and should acquire information about multicultural issues in relationship to historical perspectives, current trends and future directions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth study of the complex social and biological aspects of intellectual disabilities with a particular theoretical emphasis on the education of individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of the field of intellectual disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Critical examination of the field of special education and evaluation of controversies and ethical dilemmas confronting the field. Skills to systematically evaluate the conceptual, practical, and ethical challenges they encounter and critically assess the impact of changes on their professionals practices.

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