In the MEd in Special Education – Collaborative Teacher (K-6) online program from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM), you'll expand your knowledge and grow your career possibilities as a teacher of K-6 students with disabilities. This program provides an in-depth understanding of critical special education topics for elementary school students and meets the eligibility requirements for Alabama’s Class A certification.
Online MEd in Special Education – Collaborative Teacher (K-6)
Expand your expertise in providing specially designed instruction for kindergarten through sixth-grade students with disabilities. Graduates are prepared to pursue Alabama's Class A certification and take the next step in their teaching career.
Give your K-6 students the special education experience they deserve when you master multicultural education, education research, computer-based instructional technology, and more. Then apply your enhanced skills in a variety of developmental settings through a culminating practicum experience.
Application Deadline1/7/27
Start Date1/11/27
Online
Modality
As few as 12 months
Duration
30
Credit Hours
$483 per Credit
In-State Tuition
Online
Modality
As few as 12 months
Duration
30
Credit Hours
$483 per Credit
In-State Tuition
Program overview
Specialize Your MEd in Special Education and Excel in K-6 Classrooms
Meet the Class A certification requirements in Alabama*
Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Named one of the top public schools and best value schools by U.S. News & World Report1
Military Friendly® Gold Status for 2026-20272
No GMAT testing requirements for qualifying students
Curriculum
Develop Your Expertise in Special Education for K-6 Classrooms
Study practical topics in special education such as assistive technology, autism, behavior management, assessment, applied behavior analysis, STEM, high incidence disabilities, and more. Our 16-week courses will expand your knowledge of instruction in K-6 special education classrooms and help you better serve your students. With the skills you gain in this program, you’ll be ready to move to a Class A certification that can help you earn more and open new career pathways.
Must choose 6 advisor approved ESPE 6000 level courses.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Designed to demonstrate: (1) competency in the educational context of computers; (2) competency in the knowledge of computer systems; (3) competency in the knowledge of software; and (4) skill in computer use.
Must choose 6 advisor approved ESPE 6000 level courses.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A basic research course designed to evaluate research design, methods and experimentation in education and related areas.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Candidates conduct an in-depth research-related project in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: FNDS 6610, Education specialist standing.
Must choose 1 of the following courses.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Examination of and training in collaborative teaching in educational settings. Participants will study interpersonal relationships with other professionals in the school setting and with families of students with exceptionalities. Included are evidenced-based best practices in collaboration, the fundamentals of group processes, and skills needed for collaboration. Prerequisite: ESPE 6200.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Introduction to the social and cognitive foundations of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination and how these biases effect education. The focus will be on awareness of why prejudice develops and its pervasiveness in the educational community. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Course includes factors impacting family relationships, with special emphasis on child/parent interactions, child abuse, neglect and exploitation; family structure, attitudes and multicultural issues of selected diverse populations will be examined. This course meets CAST certification requirements.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
The advantages and limitations of curriculum and instructional strategies for teaching basic mathematics and reading skills to students with exceptionalities. Students will learn about modifications and accommodations of basic mathematic and reading instruction to integrate learners into the general curriculum. This course will focus on evidence-based reading instruction for students with exceptionalities. Basic mathematics strategies for teaching students with exceptionalities will be covered. The course provides the tools to individualize instruction in a variety of school environments based on assessment, effective planning, and instructional design.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Designed to demonstrate: (1) competency in the educational context of computers; (2) competency in the knowledge of computer systems; (3) competency in the knowledge of software; and (4) skill in computer use.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
This course is designed to embrace students’ comprehension of urban/rural schooling with particular attention to the following: 1) relationship between the urban context and educational policies and practices in urban/rural schools; 2) along with a service learning component in urban/rural schools, the historical, socioeconomics, and political factors influencing urban education; and 3) the distribution of opportunity in cities and their schools; and effective pedagogical and organizational practices that close the achievement gap, including multicultural education, the development of positive school cultures and the use of community service and resources.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Provides opportunities for students to understand the effects of attitudes, experiences, ethnicity and other cultural factors on the counseling process and relationship. Also includes counseling strategies for client populations experiencing loss, victimization, discrimination or other specific concerns.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A basic research course designed to evaluate research design, methods and experimentation in education and related areas.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Candidates conduct an in-depth research-related project in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: FNDS 6610, Education specialist standing.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Enrollment limited to Traditional MEd Collaborative K-6 majors only. This practicum provides opportunities for Traditional Master-level Collaborative Teacher K-6 majors to practice applications of content knowledge and skills that the courses and other experiences of the advanced preparation emphasize in a variety of developmental settings. The opportunities lead to appropriate culminating experiences in which candidates demonstrate their proficiencies through problem-based tasks or research that are characteristic of their professional specialization.
Admissions
It’s Always a Good Time To Apply for an AUM Online Program
Online Application
Official Transcripts
3.0 GPA
The admission process for our MEd in Special Education – Collaborative Teacher (K-6) program is simple. You can apply online at any time, and our dedicated enrollment specialists will be there to help you if you need it. If you have questions, request information to connect with our admissions team.
Cost reflects tuition only, does not include fees.
Military Benefits
Auburn University at Montgomery is proud to support the educational goals of military veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, guardsmen, and their families. We participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, and Military Friendly® ranked us among the Top 10 schools for 2023-2024. Moreover, our Veteran and Military Resource Center offers an array of resources for fostering a smooth admissions process and online student experience.
Financial Aid Opportunities
At AUM, we strive to make your online degree program as affordable as possible, with cost-effective tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. We encourage you to complete your FAFSA® form to determine your financial aid eligibility — the school code for Auburn University at Montgomery is 008310.
A Quality Experience for Online Learners
Earn your degree online from Auburn University at Montgomery to experience a quality education with the flexibility to succeed in class and your career. You can complete your coursework using your laptop or mobile device with opportunities to study when and where it's convenient.
- Academic support: Access online advising and tutoring
- Career services: Prepare to succeed after graduation
- Help desk: Get technical assistance for your program
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AUM accepts applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you can start.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. "Auburn University at Montgomery Rankings." Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/auburn-montgomery-8310/overall-rankings.
- Military Friendly®. "Auburn University at Montgomery." Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://www.militaryfriendly.com/school-profile/?sid=88.
*Certification requirements vary by state. Be sure to review the requirements for your location so you can meet them after completing your program.