Special Education and Child Development The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Overview

The Special Education program of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte serves experienced teachers who wish to be collaborative instructional leaders who are knowledgeable, effective, reflective, and responsive to equity and diversity.  Upon completion of the 33-credit hour program, graduates will qualify for the M-Level North Carolina Professional Educator's License in Special Education.

Why choose our Master in Education with a Concentration in Special Education?

• The M.Ed. coursework is fully online so it provides flexibility for you to study from your home or office.

• Our rigorous courses are designed to support candidates in developing the skills, knowledge, and competencies to be excellent educators, leaders and professionals. Designed with the career-oriented professional in mind, our classes provide an environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. You learn how to design effective academic instruction and develop strategies that will help promote the social behaviors of students with disabilities.

• You will be part of a supportive learning community with faculty members who are invested in your learning and peers who share the same drive to become leaders in special education.

• The Special Education faculty continuously achieves regional, state, and national recognition in scholarship, teaching, and research. In addition, our faculty has successfully sought personnel preparation grants to support our graduate students in completing their degrees.

• As part of the 33-credit hour requirement, you select 12 credit hours in electives for a Specialty Track. These hours enable you to add-on an additional North Carolina teaching license in Adapted Curriculum or General Curriculum, or receive a graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (upon admission to the Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder program). You may also choose to take three adidtional courses to fulfill the course requirements for obtinaing an Exceptional Children Program Administrator licensure (upon passing the required praxis exam).

• All teacher education programs at UNC Charlotte are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).  The M.Ed. in Special Education and Child Devekopment with a concentration in Special Education has been approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education.

Career Options

The M.Ed. in Special Education and Child Development gives our graduates an additional credential that opens more career options.  Some of the areas they may pursue include the following:

• Charter and public school special education teacher at elementary, middle and secondary schools

• Program specialist

• Program administrator

• Instructional specialist  

• Special education coordinator

• Early intervention specialist

• Exceptional children program administrator

• Inclusion facilitator

• Board certified behavior analyst

• Private practice

• Child advocate and disability services consultant

• Ph.D. programs in curriculum and instruction or other related fields