Master of Education in
Special Education
Teach Students with Disabilities
Earn a master's degree and gain the skills and knowledge needed to teach students with disabilities. This Special Education (SPED) master's program offers two paths:
- For those with a current teaching licenses - earn a master's degree and course credit needed to apply for an endorsement in special education through the Arkansas Department of Education
- For those who need teaching licenses - earn a master's degree and coursework needed to apply for initial licensure in special education through the Arkansas Department of Education
Courses are delivered via the Internet, allowing for the flexibility to pursue educational goals at a time and place that fits individual schedules. The practicum course takes place in the public schools. Chosen licensure endorsements and graduate certificates can be embedded into the Special Education program, which received national recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children.
Application Deadlines
- Spring: November 1
- Summer: April 15
- Fall: July 1
100%
Online
36
Credit Hours
2 YRS
Estimated Time
to Complete
Praxis Core
Required
If GPA is below 3.0
- More courses are required for initial licensure or added endorsements or certificates.
- A practicum is required at a designated school location.
Licensure Options
While earning your master's degree, you can choose to embed coursework required for:
- Endorsement Plan for Dyslexia
- Endorsement Plan for SPED Educational Examiner
- Endorsement Plan for SPED Education Resource
- Initial Licensure in SPED
Do You Need a Teaching License?
See the Special Education Initial Licensure program.
| Tuition / credit hour | $459.68 |
| Fee / credit hour | |
|---|---|
| Library | $4.98 |
| Network & Data Systems | $16 |
| Off-campus | $30 |
| Online Facilities | $2 |
Tuition and fees per credit hour reflect fall 2025 rates for students studying completely online. Students in online programs who take an on-campus course will pay on-campus fees, mandatory and college fees, for only the on-campus course.
- Scholarship / Grant
Arkansas Teacher Opportunity Program - Teaming for Transition Scholar
- College of Education and Health Professions
I can be a voice for these students, helping them to achieve in the classroom. I will continue to add more hands-on experience with the students and meet their needs. With the education I received, I will be able to help those students more."
Heather LuciusOsceola, AR
I have been plugging the special education master's degree with other teachers. Many special educators with bachelor's degrees want to go on. Doing the master's program was a way to meet other educators, to get more ideas, more ways to do things that make more sense."
Tina FosterTrumann, AR
When COVID initially hit the U.S., we shut down our schools and provided instruction virtually. This experience has allowed me to gain knowledge in utilizing online resources for teaching. I previously hadn’t incorporated much technology until the pandemic occurred and I had to adjust to the world of virtual teaching."
Andrea EmbreyBeebe, AR
Job Market Outlook
The Pathways career data reflect career information associated with degree programs, and that data may include some jobs that require additional credentials and experience BEYOND the academic degree, including but not limited to professional licensure and certification, additional coursework, and specific training. See " About this data" to learn more about Pathways.
