Earn Your Master of Education in Special Education Online

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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.

Apply by: 10/14/24
Start class: 11/4/24

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
  • Special Education Resource Teacher
  • Education Specialist, Transition Services Early to Exit IEP Supports
  • Director of Special Education (Director of Neurodiversity)
  • Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Facilitators
  • Special Education Instructional Specialist
  • Interpreter or Translator
  • Special Education Liaison
  • Special Education Resource Teacher
  • Education Specialist, Transition Services Early to Exit IEP Supports
  • Director of Special Education (Director of Neurodiversity)
  • Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Facilitators
  • Special Education Instructional Specialist
  • Interpreter or Translator
Total Tuition $12,312*
Duration As few as 18 months
Credit Hours 36

*Distance learning fee is included in the tuition listed

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-223-7675

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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.

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:

Total Tuition $12,312*
Per Credit Hour $342

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 coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlinePayment DueLast Class DayTEA Requirement DeadlineDepartment Required Deadline
Fall 29/30/249/9/249/20/2410/30/249/23/249/16/24
Fall 311/4/2410/14/2410/28/2412/5/2410/28/2410/21/24
Spring I1/16/2512/26/241/9/252/19/251/9/251/2/25
Spring II2/27/252/6/252/20/254/2/252/20/252/13/25
Spring III4/7/253/17/253/31/255/7/253/31/253/24/25
Summer I5/29/255/8/255/20/256/27/255/22/255/15/25
Summer II6/30/256/9/256/23/257/31/256/23/256/16/25
Fall 18/21/258/7/258/15/259/17/25
Fall 29/29/259/15/259/23/2510/29/25
Fall 311/3/2510/20/2510/28/2512/4/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 10/14/24
Class Starts 11/4/24

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

  • Online Application & Fee: Complete online application and pay a one-time application fee of $25.
  • Transcripts: 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 Admissions
PO 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.

Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
General survey of the learning potentials of those children deficient in basic integrities which can be categorized into central peripheral nervous system dysfunction and/or behavioral disorder. Prerequisites: Admission to the Graduate School or Post-Baccalaureate educator preparation program.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analysis and evaluation; types of test and measurement devices will be conducted. Methods of determining the reliability and validity of tests are investigated. Designs for testing programs and selection of appropriate tests will be included. Evaluation systems of individuals and programs will be discussed.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses the key concepts and ideas regarding educational psychology with a specific focus on students with exceptionalities. Topics to be addressed include the following: diversity and the specific characteristics of learners with exceptionalities, theories of human development and their application to teaching practice in general and in inclusive classrooms, theories of learning, and creating effective learning environments through the use of technology and differentiated instruction.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides teachers a foundation to understand the legal, ethical, and policy dimensions of education. Special emphasis is given to the interpretation of case law, Texas Education Code, and federal and state statutes.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces teachers to the design, methodologies, and techniques necessary to understand educational research and to use "scientifically-based research" in making informed decisions which can positively impact student achievement. An emphasis is placed on action research.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Foundations in the modification of educational components such as content knowledge, methods of instruction, and student learning outcomes are explored through the authentic application of innovative, research-based strategies effective with high incidence disabilities.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides tools to assess functions of student behavior in order to develop and implement appropriate behavior interventions. Emphasis will be placed on identifying and teaching appropriate replacement behaviors as well as analyzing multiple forms of data.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides foundations in the modification of educational components such as content knowledge, methods of instruction, and student learning outcomes are explored through the authentic application of innovative, research-based strategies effective with low incidence disabilities.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Identification of skill deficiencies, modification of curriculum, designing and implementation of instructional strategies for pupils evidencing disabilities in reading and language arts.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores transition services and programs for students with exceptionalities. It emphasizes transition throughout the life span by addressing transition needs from early intervention to adulthood. Transition services stress moving from school to work and community.
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides special educators the tools needed to maintain effective collaboration that stimulates students’ academic progress and promotes a positive environment. Educators will learn how to construct collaborative teams that generate solutions to better meet the needs of exceptional students. Participants will learn researched based strategies to work cooperatively with family members and paraprofessional, co-teach with other educators, serve as a consultant, and avoid or resolve conflict.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Simulated experiences in the use of formal and informal methods of appraising and communicating pupils' educational status and progress.

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