Online MEd in Special Education
Expand Your Knowledge in the Special Ed Classroom
100% Online
1-2 Years
30 Credit Hours
$465 per Credit (In-State)
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Become a Master Teacher in Special Education
In Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM)’s online Master of Education in Special Education program, you’ll grow your knowledge and earning potential as a teacher of students with disabilities. And with three concentrations to choose from, you can personalize your degree.
In this fully online master’s program, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with faculty, ensuring you get the attention you need. Get started to earn your degree and take the next steps in your career.
Teacher Certification Options
Move from a Class B to a Class A certification by earning your Master of Education in Special Education degree at AUM. Upon completion of this online program, you’ll be ready to submit your Alabama Class A application, helping you accelerate your career potential and pay.
Certification requirements vary by state. Be sure to review the requirements for your location so you can meet them after completing your program.
Certification DetailsProgram Details
- Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Named one of the Top Public Schools and Best Value Schools1
- Military Friendly® Gold Status for 2023-20242
- No GMAT requirements for qualifying students
Choose Your Area of Study in Special Ed
By specializing your online special education master’s degree with one of our unique concentrations, you’ll get an in-depth look at topics that affect your future career advancement. Each concentration includes courses to build on your foundation of special education knowledge.
Learn to Better Understand Your Special Ed Students and Their Needs
10 Online Courses
Class A Preparation
Study practical topics in special education such as assistive technology, autism, behavior management, assessment, applied behavior analysis, STEM, high incidence disabilities, and more. Our fully online courses will expand your knowledge of instruction in the special education classroom 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.
Elective Options
- Advanced Study of Consultation and Collaboration
- Advanced Study of Teaching Mathematics and Reading Skills
- Counseling Diverse Populations
- Multicultural Education: Addressing Prejudice and Discrimination
Apply for Your MEd in Special Education
Application Deadline 08/12/24 Fall 2024 Semester
Start Date 08/19/24 Fall 2024 Semester
The admissions process for our Master of Education in Special Education program is simple. You can apply online at any time, and our dedicated enrollment team will be there to help you if you need it. You can find more information in the chart below.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $25 |
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in any teaching field with at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts of all completed coursework from your previous college experience. |
| Additional Requirements |
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| Transfer Credits | Transfer up to 12 credit hours into the program. Request information for details. |
AUM offers rolling admissions, so it’s always a great time to apply. If you have questions, request information to connect with our admissions team.
Admissions DetailsEarn a High Value Master’s in Special Education Online
Continuing your education is a big decision, and affordability shouldn’t be a concern. At AUM, we’re proud to be ranked as a best value school by U.S. News & World Report.1 With fully online courses that are designed to increase your knowledge of special education, help you gain confidence in the classroom, and lead to higher pay, the Master of Education in Special Education program is an investment that will take you exciting new places.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $465 for Alabama residents and $511 for non-residents |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 30 |
| Total Estimated Cost, Minus Fees | $13,950 – $15,330 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | You may have costs in addition to tuition, such as textbooks, supplies, and fees. Take these into consideration as you budget for your degree. |
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.
Tuition DetailsObtain a Higher Certification in Alabama
Alabama teaching standards are comprised of three certification levels. The Master of Education in Special Education program at AUM will help you advance from a Class B certification to a Class A certification in Alabama, increasing your earning potential and level of classroom expertise.
Certification requirements vary from state to state. Below, you can see what minimum education is required for each level in Alabama.
- Class B: Bachelor’s degree in education
- Class A: Traditional or alternative master’s degree in education
- Class AA: Education Specialist degree in education
How to Obtain Class A Certification
Once you’ve earned your Master of Education in Special Education from AUM and obtained a transcript, you’ll be eligible to apply for a Class A certification in Alabama. Our student services and teacher certification office will assist you with this process, and you will submit a completed application to the Alabama State Department of Education.
You’ll need to meet these requirements to earn Class A teacher certification through AUM’s traditional master’s in special education program:
- Valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate
- Official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution documenting you have earned a master’s degree
- Completion of a survey of special education course. If you completed that course prior to your AUM master’s program, you must take a diversity course focusing on methods of accommodating instruction for students with disabilities in inclusive settings, multicultural education, teaching English language learners, rural education, or urban education
- Satisfactory completion of a state-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses used to meet the requirements of the approved program checklist for the Alabama State Board of Education educator preparation program
- Applicants with an Interim Employment Certificate (IEC) must adhere to the requirements and restrictions provided in the Educator Certification Chapter of the Alabama Administrative Code
Advance Your Career in Special Education
By earning your Master of Education in Special Education degree at AUM and advancing to a Class A certification, you’ll position yourself to be a higher earner in the classroom. Our Career Development Center will help you every step of the way as you search for new opportunities or work to apply what you’ve learned to your current career. Your future is within reach, and AUM will help you get there.
Salaries for Teachers with MEd Degrees in Alabama
5 Years of Teaching Experience $55,939 per year3
10 Years of Teaching Experience $60,755 per year3
Program Outcomes
Special education requires specific skillsets that are only improved through dedicated practice. In this online program, you’ll learn to support the emotional, social, and behavioral growth of students with disabilities. You’ll also explore instructional strategies, behavior management, professionalism and ethics, identifying instructional needs and weaknesses, and data interpretation. Upon completing the online special education master’s degree, you will be prepared to seek Class A certification.
What You’ll Learn
- Demonstrate a deep content and pedagogical knowledge in your field of study
- Use knowledge of your students to construct positive learning environments
- Include all students, treat them equitably, and effectively communicate with various stakeholders of diverse backgrounds in a positive manner
- Create an inclusive learning environment to address all students’ needs (academic, social, etc.)
- Strategically plan for and implement engaging instruction relevant to the learning environment
- Purposefully plan assessment opportunities to measure learning outcomes, interpret data, and use data to provide feedback and data-based opportunities for growth
- Incorporate appropriate field-based use of technology to enhance the learning environment
- Understand that educators are lifelong learners
- Partner with families and community organizations to create true partnerships for effective learning environments
Meet Our Faculty
At AUM, you’ll feel supported by expert faculty members who bring valuable teaching and professional backgrounds to each online class. Our online instructors have completed extensive training in designing and teaching online courses, further elevating your experience as an online student.
Dr. Kate D. Simmons
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Kate D. Simmons, professor of special education
Dr. Kate D. Simmons is a professor of special education in the Department of Counselor, Leadership, and Special Education at AUM. She had five years of experience teaching in the public school system before joining the College of Education faculty. Her interests include instructional features that improve the academic and behavioral performances of students with disabilities.
Simmons has attended 97 professional developments. Her scholarly endeavors include over 71 peer-reviewed presentations at international, national, and state conferences on numerous topics, such as collaboration, technology, online course design, instructional design, cyberbullying, and virtual environments. She also has 17 peer-reviewed articles in scholarly journals and two book chapters.
Simmons secured multiple grants and contracts for AUM’s Virtual Avatar Laboratory. She is also an active member of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children and the Small Special Education Programs Caucus. In addition to her teaching duties, she has served on more than 63 committees within and outside the university and as chair of the special education program for over 11 years.
In May 2013, Simmons received the Donna M. Wolfinger Distinguished Teaching Award and the Emerging Professor Award. She was honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2018 and received the Dean’s Service Award and the College of Education Research Award in 2019. Simmons continues to demonstrate her commitment to maintaining exemplary practices around the craft of teaching within the field of special education.
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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- U.S. News & World Report. “Auburn University at Montgomery Rankings.” Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery-8310/overall-rankings.
- Military Friendly®. “Auburn University at Montgomery.” Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://www.militaryfriendly.com/auburn-university-at-montgomery-is-military-friendly/.
- Alabama State Department of Education. “FY 2024 Foundation Program, State Minimum Salary Schedule, Classroom Teachers.” Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LEAACCT_2023630_FY-2024-Salary-Schedule-for-Teachers_V1.0.pdf.