Department website: https://www.atu.edu/tel
The Master of Education in Special Education is designed to provide post baccalaureate preparation for public school teachers who wish to broaden their knowledge of teaching children with exceptional learning needs. This program is designed to prepare educators to become leaders in the field of special education. This program focuses on strategies for teaching students with diverse learning needs. Participants will gain experience in developing inclusive curricula, implementing evidence-based practices, and advocating for students with special needs. Graduates will be equipped to mentor educators, enhance special education programs, and contribute to positive educational outcomes for all students.
This program is offered online.
Unconditional Admission
Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Education degree program in Special Education if they have an Arkansas Teaching License and meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College.
Conditional Admission
Applicants who fail to meet the minimum requirements for admission have the opportunity for conditional admission if the applicant has an Arkansas Teaching License and meets the minimum graduate admission standards and upon a successful appeal to the program director. Students admitted under a conditional status must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA on the first twelve (12) graduate hours in the program.
out of state Admission
You must hold a current teaching license to apply to this program. If you do not hold a current Arkansas teaching license, please note that completing the Master of Special Education program and/or completing the optional certificates does not grant you licensure to teach in the state of Arkansas. Please view the licensure/certification requirements for your state. In most cases, other states will require proof that the student has successfully completed a state approved teacher licensure program. Assistance in securing this license is provided to all of those who are completing student teaching/internship; this is processed after all coursework has been successfully completed and the degree has been posted. Licensure information is typically available online for the various State Departments of Education in other states. Those wishing to pursue licensure in other states should obtain the necessary information and application materials for the processing of requests.
international Admission
International students cannot be issued a student visa to attend an entirely online program. The SPED program offered at Arkansas Tech University is 100% online. Students not seeking a visa to study in-person or who may have an alternate visa in which they can study incident to their status (an example may be a dependent of a spouse on a work visa) can be admitted to the program without any review from the government. International students may be admitted into the Special Education program after submitting the required documents. This agreement states that you are aware that completing the Master of Special Education program and/or completing the optional certificates does not grant you licensure. Our program is accredited meaning that your degree and/or certificate is accredited. Please review the licensure/certification requirements for your area
Students who complete the Special Education Programs, (Masters in Special Education, Special Education K-12 Endorsement, Special Education Resource Endorsement, Special Education, B-K) will achieve the following skills:
- Understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
- Apply knowledge of normative developmental sequences and variations, individual differences within and across the range of abilities, including developmental delays and disabilities.
- Create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
- Use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities. Plan and implement systematic, evidence-based, responsive interactions, interventions, and instruction to support all children’s learning and development across all developmental and content domains.
For program assessment visit: https://www.atu.edu/assessment/program_assessment.php
