Special Education

Overview

Students gain a foundation in teaching and content knowledge from experts in the field who are actively engaged in the educational research community. Students embed their knowledge throughout the program, empowering them to engage in research through coursework.

The culminating experience engages students' research by critically evaluating education research related to an action research problem, applying education concepts to classroom experience and reflecting on practice.

This Special Education MEd program offered at Arizona State University alone does not provide the clinical professional experience needed to obtain an institutional recommendation that is required for teacher certification. Students who enroll in the degree and later determine they want or need an institutional recommendation for certification or they need the clinical professional experience portion of the certification requirements can formally request to change to the MEd in special education with a concentration in teacher certification and would submit a petition requesting for coursework completed in this standalone program to apply towards the certification program.

Career Opportunities

Students are prepared to start or advance in educational careers working with diverse learners in grades K-12. They gain skills in instruction and assessment, educational research and collaborating in teams that allow them to successfully work in schools and other community-serving organizations to deliver effective programming for students with mild-to-moderate disabilities.

Career examples include:

• curriculum leader
• educational researcher
• non-certified educator in school or community settings
• special education director