Special Education, MSEd: Online Degrees: Online Degree Programs: Indiana University

Special Education, MSEd

Master of Science in Education

Course Delivery
100% Online
Total Credits
36
In-State Tuition Per Credit
$490.60
Out of State Tuition Per Credit
$588.66

Special Education, MSEd

Master of Science in Education

US News and World Report - best grad education in special education 2023

Special education is a broad term used by the law to describe specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of a child who has a disability. Special educators often focus on teaching the student life skills, literacy, and other basic functions.

The IU Online MSEd in Special Education prepares you for the challenges of special education in the diverse and changing landscapes of today's classroom. The courses in this program are based on special education professional standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children and the State of Indiana, and focus on research and teaching methods that are proven to be effective in preparing individuals to address high-incidence disabilities (mild intervention). As a student in the program, you also pursue an individualized track of four courses based on your area of interest, such as autism, behavior specialists, early childhood, instructional strategies, or intense interventions. Finally, you complete a capstone project/thesis.

This program incorporates an ongoing field-based experience so you can practice skills in real-life settings. Finding a mentor and affiliating with this person throughout the program is a cornerstone of its design. Courses are designed to be completed in a practicum setting with the support of an experienced teacher. Students will spend the first semester of the program finding a mentor and practicum site. Many teachers working towards certification already teach children with disabilities on an emergency license. Teachers already in a teaching assignment may use their current classroom as a practicum site and identify a mentor in this setting.

Your IU Online MSEd in Special Education prepares you for such careers as:

Early childhood special educator
Emotional disabilities teacher
Hearing-impaired itinerant teacher
Learning support teacher
Resource program teacher
Severe emotional disorders elementary teacher
Severe/profound mental handicaps special education teacher
Special education inclusion teacher
Special education resource teacher
Special education teacher

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the MSEd in Special Education, you must complete 36 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

Prerequisite course (3 credit hours)
Special education core courses (20 credit hours)
Emphasis area courses (12 credit hours)
Capstone project OR thesis (4 credit hours)

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

A bachelor's degree
2.7 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

To apply to this program:

Complete an online application that includes:

Transcripts
Personal statement
Two letters of recommendation
GRE scores (international students only)
Resume (international students only)
TOEFL score (minimum 79) or IELTS score (minimum 6.5) - international students only

Courses

Core

EDUC-K 500	Topical Workshop in Special Education (Culminating Seminar)	1 Credit
EDUC-K 535	Assessment that Supports Instruction in Special Education	3 Credits
EDUC-K 536	Individualized Instruction for Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities	3 Credits
EDUC-K 548	Families, School and Society	3 Credits
EDUC-K 553	Classroom Management and Behavior Support	3 Credits
EDUC-K 565	Collaboration and Service Delivery	3 Credits
EDUC-K 590	Independent Study or Research in Special Education	3 Credits
EDUC-K 599	Master's Thesis in Special Education	3 Credits
EDUC-S 500	Field-Based Seminar in Teacher Education: Orientation to SPEDFIST	2 Credits
EDUC-Y 510	Action Research I	3 Credits
EDUC-Y 520	Strategies for Educational Inquiry	3 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents

Per Credit Hour
Tuition: $490.60

3 Credit Hours
Tuition: $1471.80

Note: Additional fees will apply.

Cost for Out of State Residents

Per Credit Hour
Tuition: $588.66

3 Credit Hours
Tuition: $1765.98

In accordance with Federal Financial Aid requirements, IU has calculated a “Cost of Attendance” for this program based on the most common enrollments from students who are enrolled full time for the academic year. We’re showing you the estimated cost of attendance for the full 2023–24 academic year (fall and spring semesters). Cut these numbers in half to figure out the cost of a single semester. Your actual costs for housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses will vary based on:

• The number of credit hours you take
• Whether you’re an Indiana resident
• Your personal choices
• Your travel habits

Your cost of attendance may differ from these estimates.

Full time Students

Part time Students

Direct Costs:

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Non-residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Direct Costs:

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Non-residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Indirect Costs:

Food & Housing $15,456

Books & Supplies $830

Transportation $2958

Personal Expenses $4078

Indirect Costs:

Food & Housing $15,456

Books & Supplies $302

Transportation $2958

Personal Expenses $4078

If you would like a more detailed estimate of expenses, please use IU's Tuition and Fee Calculator.

IU Tuition & Fee Calculator

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