Online Master of Education in Special Education

Meet the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of children and adults with disabilities by earning your fully-online master’s degree in special education at the University of Cincinnati Online. In our thorough yet flexible program, we’ll prepare you to be a committed, caring, and competent educator equipped to provide direct and indirect services in the field of special education. Plus, with three concentration areas to choose from and multiple optional certificates, licenses, and endorsements to add on, you’ll benefit from the structure of our core curriculum while pursuing your individual interests and goals — all on a schedule to accommodate your busy lifestyle.

Who is this program for?

This degree is beneficial for caring, compassionate students looking to gain the knowledge and skills they need to help better the lives of individuals with disabilities. Upon entry into our program, you’ll be admitted directly into one of three areas of concentration to gain specialized education in a distinct field:

• Licensure with the option of Reading Endorsement : Through this path, you’ll gain a mild/moderate intervention specialist license and optional reading endorsement while earning your master’s in special education. It is designed for teachers who hold an existing education license.
• Supporting Students with Complex Needs : Through this path, you’ll earn your degree in special education while learning to understand the characteristics of significant disability; locate and link evidence-based instructional practices, and implement interventions for individuals with significant disabilities. It is designed for professionals and family members of individuals with disabilities who hold a bachelor’s degree in education-related fields.
• Transition to Work Endorsement and Special Education Leadership : Through this path, you’ll earn your special education degree while advancing to work endorsement and obtaining your special education leadership graduate certificate. It is designed for professionals looking to support individuals in their transition out of K-12 schooling into the community.

What will I learn?

By graduation, you’ll be prepared to offer your services to K-12 education; community-based case management; disability advocacy; rehabilitation for occupational development and daily independence; individualized consultation services; and other facilities supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. Your academic experience will involve 30 credit hours of core and concentration coursework that includes:

• Advanced Strategies in Special Education
• Transition to Work Endorsement: Legal and Ethical Foundations
• Foundations, Trends, and Issues in Special Education Leadership
• Master’s Project Guidance: Special Education I
• Curriculum Planning & Instructional Strategies: Mild to Moderate
• Autism Spectrum Disorders: Theory to Practice
• Applied Behavior Analysis I
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication

* This program does not lead to an initial teaching license.

Delivering a world-class experience for students seeking online flexibility

The University of Cincinnati Online is dedicated to providing a world-class educational experience that provides flexibility for busy professionals, lifelong learners, and students from around the world.

All of UC Online’s programs are led by nationally recognized faculty and combine innovation with freedom of intellectual inquiry to create an inclusive environment tailored towards the needs of UC Online students.

With each course, students will receive the tools, skills, and education to further their skill set, expand their opportunities, and enrich their local communities.

Create an academic path that suits your lifestyle and goals.

The University of Cincinnati Online provides high-quality, online academic programs from a premier research and higher learning institution located in the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio. The University of Cincinnati was one of the first institutions to offer online courses. Innovation in education is at the forefront of what we do.

Our flexible programs allow you to create an academic path that suits your lifestyle and career goals.

The UC Online Experience

We are here at every step for the student and are fully integrated into the University of Cincinnati. We work hard to ensure that prospective students become students and eventually University of Cincinnati graduates.

We are sure you can agree with us when we say that education is important. However, it’s not always easily accessible, especially for working professionals.

Well, until now!

Why UC Online?

Online learning allows for flexibility and convenience for students who are trying to balance life while also getting a degree. If you are someone who is motivated and able to work independently, online courses may be the right fit for you! With online learning, you are joining a community online and meeting people virtually.