Earn Your Master of Education in Special Education Online
Housed within the Master of Education in Special Education, the Special Education Generalist program is a 36-credit hour, non-thesis master’s degree program and requires completion of a comprehensive examination upon completion of all required coursework. This online degree program is designed to prepare you to serve children across the spectrum of special education. This specialization track is specifically for teachers who want to add an additional specialization to their professional areas of teaching.
Program Overview
Discover what our online M.Ed. in Special Education offers you
Lamar University's M.Ed. in Special Education online prepares you to design curricula and learning environments that nurture the abilities of special education students while helping them manage a range of learning difficulties and behavioral issues.
This online special education master’s program core curriculum is based in research, assessment and content specific to the exceptional learner. You will understand how the needs and capabilities of these types of students differ from those developing normally and how best to guide them in their learning process. You also will learn how to assess and evaluate educational status and progress as well as strategies for curriculum modification and behavior management.
Upon completion of this special education master’s program, you will be prepared to:
- Guide exceptional learners, their parents, and other educational practitioners with transition services
- Apply knowledge, concepts, and skills relating to collaboration with parents, general educators, and other service provides
- Develop a strong-knowledge base for the characteristics, nature, and needs pertinent to all categories of exceptional learners
- Embrace advanced knowledge of identification, instruction, and assessment appropriate to students with high and low incidence disabilities
- Guide exceptional learners, their parents, and other educational practitioners with transition services
- Apply knowledge, concepts, and skills relating to collaboration with parents, general educators, and other service provides
- Develop a strong-knowledge base for the characteristics, nature, and needs pertinent to all categories of exceptional learners
- Embrace advanced knowledge of identification, instruction, and assessment appropriate to students with high and low incidence disabilities
Career opportunities in special education:
- Special Education Liaison
- Education Specialist, Transition Services Early to Exit IEP Supports
- Director of Special Education
- Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Facilitators
- Special Education Instructional Specialist
- Special Education Liaison
- Education Specialist, Transition Services Early to Exit IEP Supports
- Director of Special Education
- Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Facilitators
- Special Education Instructional Specialist
*Distance learning fee is included in the tuition listed
Tuition
Find out how and when to pay your tuition
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing a Master of Education in Special Education online. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. – Special Ed | $342 | $1,026 | $12,312 |
*University fees are included in the tuition listed. University fees are able to be covered by Financial Aid if you choose to apply and are qualified.
Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice due to action by the Board of Regents or the Texas State Legislature.
Total program cost depends upon transfer hours and program advisement relevant to program requirements. For more information, contact a Lamar University enrollment specialist.
Financial Aid
Ready to get started on your degree program online but need help finding ways to fund your education? We can help you discover student financing sources that include grants, loans and other payment options. Learn more about financial aid here.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Know when to apply, when classes start and when tuition is due
Our special education master’s online program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.
| 5 week courses | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day | TEA Requirement Deadline | Department Required Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/16/25 | 12/26/24 | 1/7/25 | 2/19/25 | 1/9/25 | 1/2/25 |
| Spring II | 2/27/25 | 2/6/25 | 2/20/25 | 4/2/25 | 2/20/25 | 2/13/25 |
| Spring III | 4/7/25 | 3/17/25 | 3/31/25 | 5/7/25 | 3/31/25 | 3/24/25 |
| Summer I | 5/29/25 | 5/8/25 | 5/20/25 | 6/27/25 | 5/22/25 | 5/15/25 |
| Summer II | 6/30/25 | 6/9/25 | 6/23/25 | 7/31/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/16/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/21/25 | 7/31/25 | 8/15/25 | 9/17/25 | 8/14/25 | 8/7/25 |
| Fall 2 | 9/29/25 | 9/8/25 | 9/23/25 | 10/29/25 | 9/22/25 | 9/15/25 |
| Fall 3 | 11/3/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/28/25 | 12/4/25 | 10/27/25 | 10/20/25 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Here are the steps to being admitted to our online special education master’s program
The master's degree special education online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Minimum 2.5 Undergraduate GPA
University Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay an application fee of $25.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
- Conferred degree GPAs will be used for admission purposes. Applicants with a GPA below 2.5 in the conferred bachelor’s degree will be denied admission. Applicants with a conferred master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA and above will be accepted.
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Waivers of any experience or certification requirements will be initiated by Lamar University Admissions staff as necessary in instances where they may not apply, such as applications from states that do not require certification for licensure.
Department of Educational Leadership Admission Requirements
In addition to University admission requirements, the Department of Educational Leadership requires the following for admission to the department program.
M.Ed. In Special Education-Generalist program does not provide credentials for teacher education or special education. This is not a certification program. There is no supervised practicum course. It is degree only.
View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas.
**Please note that out-of-state students may not be required to meet this criteria.
***Not applicable to out-of-state students unless taking the TExES Principal Exam.
Send all required documents to:
Lamar University Online AdmissionsPO Box 10017
Beaumont, TX 77710
OR
Submit electronically to [email protected]
*All applicants must submit official transcript(s) indicating: 1) The conferred bachelor's or master's degree as required for the program of application from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent. 2) The transcript of the most recent attendance if it differs from the institution of the conferred degree. This requirement applies regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired. However, if a department or program wishes to review additional transcripts from prior attendance for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.
We reserve the right to review individual applicant qualifications for admission. Final determinations for admission are based upon a number of criteria. We reserve the right to refuse student entrance or terminate a student after admission to a program if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student demonstrates unacceptable professional fitness to practice in their particular field of study with children, youth, and/or adults.
Courses
Take a look at the master’s in special education online core curriculum
Courses in the M.Ed. Special Education – Generalist program provide graduate students with advanced level courses relevant to advancing their acquisition and application of foundational knowledge of the legal issues relevant to the field of special education; connecting the contributions of research to practice; applying identification, assessment, and instructional strategies in academic content, behavioral, social skills, and transition skills to uniquely and collaboratively address the developmental nature and needs of students with a variety of exceptionalities. This program does not provide eligibility for initial certification in special education.
View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas.
Note: Lamar University Graduate Education Programs do not permit students to take coursework for transient credit.
