MA in Special Education Online - The University of Alabama

Program Overview

Enhance your methods for supporting students with diverse learning needs through The University of Alabama’s 100% online master’s degree in Special Education. Certification options include Collaborative K-6, Collaborative 6-12, Early Childhood Special Education P-3 and Severe Disabilities K-12. Train in evidence-based instructional strategies for children and youth in your school and be prepared to serve as a decision-maker in instructional settings for exceptional learners.

Online Program Format

30-36 Credit Hours

$480 Tuition Per Hour

Help All Students Reach Their Potential

The Master of Arts in Special Education is designed for educators who hold bachelor’s level teaching certification and is approved by the Alabama Department of Education. You can tailor your coursework to gain certification in Collaborative K-6, Collaborative 6-12, Early Childhood Special Education P-3 or Severe Disabilities K-12. Completion of the program leads to master’s level certification and prepares you to serve the educational needs of all student learners. Integrate the strengths of learners, parents, general education teachers, special education teachers, related service professionals and the community into your work.

You’ll learn how to create inclusive environments and maximize learning opportunities — including coordinating knowledge bases, diverse school-based practicums and internship experiences — to develop logical, critical and reflective thinking skills.

Collaborative K-6

The master’s in Special Education (Collaborative K-6) program prepares you to serve as a resource and advocate for exceptional students and their families. You will gain the skills needed to improve your students’ quality of life and expand their knowledge, and examine how to create a safe, inclusive connection to support these learners’ academic, social, vocational and behavioral needs. You can also take additional courses to obtain your Collaborative K-12 certification.

Collaborative 6-12

The master’s in Special Education (Collaborative 6-12) program is tailored to enhance the skills you need to provide innovative, inclusive classrooms and technologies to assist learning. The program positions you to help your secondary school students reach their full potential. You can also take additional courses to obtain your Collaborative K-12 certification.

Early Childhood Special Education P-3

The master’s in Special Education (Early Childhood Special Education P-3) program strengthens your skills to harness a child’s natural curiosity to develop essential life skills. Learning begins early and this program prepares you with professional experience in early childhood education to be a mentor to your students in lifelong learning.

Severe Disabilities K-12

The master’s in Special Education (Severe Disabilities) program is designed to prepare you to teach students with severe disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, physical disabilities or other health impairments. This program equips you to be an effective communicator and mentor for those with severe learning exceptionalities.

Application Deadline	Applications accepted year round
Fees	$10 College of Education graduate fee (per credit hour)
Accreditation	Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Required For Entrance	Bachelor's-level teaching certificate
Practicum	Yes
Teacher Salary Schedule	Access the Alabama State Department of Education Salary Schedule to understand earning potential for educators
Completion Time	Most students earn their degree in less than two years

Curriculum

Select the program names below to learn more about each degree option’s curriculum. Please note that courses are subject to change.

The programs listed in the current UA Graduate Catalog that lead to Alabama Class A and Class AA professional certificates for service in the public schools may be altered to meet certification standards adopted by the Alabama State Board of Education. Check with the appropriate department head for information about current requirements.

Collaborative (K-6 Certification)

The Master of Arts in Special Education (Collaborative K-6) consists of 36-39 credit hours.

SPE 502 Advanced Behavior Management for Special Educators
SPE 503 Master’s Seminar in Special Education
SPE 514 Teacher Consultant Models in Special Education
Foundations of Professional Studies Course
- Students choose one course from the ALSDE-approved list – see the academic department or the College of Education’s Office of Student Services
SPE 501 Diagnosis and Assessment of Exceptional Children and Youth
CAT 531 Computer-Based Instruction
SPE 591 Advanced Academic Methods – Elementary
SPE 594 Methods and Severe Disabilities
SPE 596 Practicum in Collaborative (K-6 Grades)
Students choose one of the following courses in consultation with their advisor and department:
- SPE 583 Creative Problem-Solving
- CRD 510 Expanding Reading
- CRD 511 Beginning Reading for Pre-K-Primary Grades
- CEE 580 Concepts of Early Childhood/Elementary School Math
- CEE 581 Early Childhood/Elementary Math Curriculum Research
SPE 590 Introduction to Mild Disabilities
SPE 593 Introduction to Severe/Profound Disabilities
SPE 500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not completed an appropriate special education survey course)

The UA Graduate Catalog is published annually. Program checklists for state-approved certification programs may be updated more frequently and are thus likely to provide the most up-to-date information about requirements. Students should refer to the appropriate program checklists for their teaching fields and consult their advisors each semester before registering.

Collaborative (6-12 Certification)

The Master of Arts in Special Education (Collaborative 6-12) consists of 36-39 credit hours.

SPE 502 Advanced Behavior Management for Special Educators
SPE 503 Master’s Seminar in Special Education
SPE 514 Teacher Consultant Models in Special Education
Foundations of Professional Studies Course
- Students choose one course from the ALSDE-approved list – see the academic department or the College of Education’s Office of Student Services
SPE 501 Diagnosis and Assessment of Exceptional Children and Youth
CAT 531 Computer-Based Instruction
SPE 592 Advanced Academic Methods – Secondary
SPE 594 Methods and Severe Disabilities
SPE 597 Transition in Special Education
SPE 596 Collaborative Practicum (6-12 Grades)
SPE 590 Introduction to Mild Disabilities
SPE 593 Introduction to Severe/Profound Disabilities
SPE 500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not completed an appropriate special education survey course)

Early Childhood Special Education P-3

The Master of Arts in Special Education (Early Childhood Special Education) consists of 30-36 credit hours.

SPE 571 Educating Young Children With Disabilities
SPE 572 Early Childhood Development
Foundations of Professional Studies Course
- Students choose one course from the ALSDE-approved list – see the academic department or the College of Education’s Office of Student Services
SPE 576 Assessment of Young Children
BER 550 Evaluation of Classroom Learning (required for those who have not completed an appropriate evaluation and learning course)
CAT 531 Computer-Based Instruction
SPE 502 Advanced Behavior Management for Special Educators
SPE 578 Methods for Teaching Young Children With Disabilities
SPE 575 ESCE Practicum
Students choose one of the following courses in consultation with their advisor and department:
- CRD 511 Beginning Reading for Pre-K-Primary Grades
- CEE 580 Concepts of Early Childhood/Elementary School Math
- CEE 581 Early Childhood/Elementary Math Curriculum Research
SPE 500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not completed an appropriate special education survey course)

Severe Disabilities K-12

The Master of Arts in Special Education (Severe Disabilities) consists of 33-36 credit hours.

SPE 593 Introduction to Severe/Profound Disabilities
SPE 506 Working With Families
SPE 501 Diagnosis and Assessment of Exceptional Children and Youth
CAT 531 Computer-Based Instruction
SPE 502 Advanced Behavior Management for Special Educators
SPE 514 Teaching Consultation Model in Special Education
SPE 594 Methods in Severe Disability
SPE 597 Transition in Special Education
SPE 595 Practicum in Severe Disabilities Education (K-12)
Advisor-approved cognate courses (6 hours)
SPE 500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not completed an appropriate special education survey course)

Admission

Admission to the Master of Arts in Special Education degree program requires the following:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Transcripts from all institutions attended
Professional Educator Certificate: The Severe Disabilities certification area requires a valid bachelor’s level professional educator certificate or higher in special education. The Collaborative K-6, Collaborative 6-12, and Early Childhood Special Education P-3 certification areas require appropriate prior certification* in a teaching field.
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 average for the last 60 hours in a degree program, or a 3.0 or higher in a completed graduate degree program
Statement of purpose
Completed UA Graduate School application
Completed requirements for fingerprinting/background clearance
Three letters of recommendation
- Recommendation letters must be from current and former professors and/or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the applicant’s academic and professional capabilities for all College of Education programs that lead to professional certification

Applications are accepted each semester. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring or summer semester.

If you reside or intend to seek professional licensure outside of the state of Alabama, please review the requirements for that state prior to applying to this program.

*Please note that individuals who have completed a bachelor’s level National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – accredited program in child development for birth through age 4 may only seek an Early Childhood Development Certificate for birth through age 4. This certificate is not a Professional Educator Certificate and cannot be used in lieu of appropriate teaching certification.

Frequently Asked Questions about the MA in Special Education

Do I need to have teaching experience before applying?

No, you can apply for this program without having prior teaching experience.

Can I apply for the program if I’m a special education aid?

It depends. If you hold a valid teacher certification, you are eligible to apply for the program. If you do not hold a valid teacher certification, you are not eligible to apply.