Master of Education in Special Education

Teachers with a passion for supporting students in the special education classroom can pursue a Masters of Education at VIU to dive deeper into teaching and learning strategies that address unique learning challenges.

This Master of Education in Special Education (MSED) is offered as a part-time online Master program or full-time in-person cohort, making it flexible and accessible for practicing teachers to undertake their Master's of Education while working. The VIU Special Education Master’s program is designed as a highly experiential learning environment. Graduate students are able to personalize their learning and build meaningful connections with the school communities they live and work in.

The Master of Education in Special Education Program

Part-Time Option

This program incorporates a blended online an on campus model. Generally classes meet on campus in Nanaimo during July and online during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Full-Time Option

This cohort-based model is designed for students wishing to study full-time on the VIU campus. All formal coursework is completed over two semesters. The Field Inquiry and Major Project components are completed during the second year over two semesters. Students may complete these components with online support and can complete up to one semester early.

VIU's M.Ed. in Special Education embodies an innovative approach to the field of Special Education. Grounded in current research and evidence-based practices, our program challenges each educator to critically examine historical and contemporary Special Education policies and approaches to formulate a best practice specific to her/his own context. Faculty bring their expert knowledge and extensive experiences to guide, support and maximize student learning in each part of the program.

The 40-credit program is nested in four frames of reference:

Context for Development and Learning: Students consider the context for development and learning including characteristics of the individual with special needs; issues such as social context, cultural perspectives, poverty, and mental and social health; and implications of research.

Informative Assessment: Students focus on the purposes, processes, and implications of assessment information.

Responsive Teaching: Students demonstrate the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in consultation with classroom teacher(s), parents, students, and district and community resource personnel for students with a variety of special needs.

Re-imagining Special Education: Students think beyond current practices and examine critical issues in the field of Special Education that impact children with special needs and their families in order to re-imagine the field of Special Education.

Graduates of the program will command content knowledge, develop skill-specific competencies and acquire relevant experiences prescribed by the BC Ministry of Education for Special Education specialist teachers, as well as, have the capacity to offer leadership in Special Education areas.

The M.Ed. program is offered as a cohort-based model for practicing teachers.

Laddering Option

Graduates of VIU's Inclusive Education Graduate Diploma are eligible to apply to ladder into the Master of Education in Special Education Degree. To complete the Master of Education in Special Education (laddering option) students need to complete 3 courses (15 credits) in support of thesis or project work. The Master of Education in Special Education (laddering option) is a cohort-based program which starts in Spring semester and where these courses are completed over two years. The program is offered online.

This is a place of acknowledgement and fair access, achievement and personal attention – a special blend of a caring, nurturing environment sets VIU apart from other universities. It’s an essential ingredient for a values-based education that creates an environment balancing academic accomplishments with the goal of developing students' social and relationship skills to last a lifetime, make a difference, and model others to do the same. In doing this, VIU is making an invaluable contribution to much stronger and healthier communities and a better world.

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Students and alumni tell us all the time how VIU’s small classes and caring support from faculty and staff have made a difference for them in finding success in their studies. The attention to every student’s needs goes far beyond a number. The result? Students have the opportunity to become graduates who are confident, motivated and prepared to take on the world as they step into future careers.

Students flourish in teaching-focused classes.

Students go above and beyond in programs that provide a match for their passion, their ambition, and their future career aspirations. The focus at VIU is on helping students meet their goals, prepare for careers, and attain success they may not even have imagined when they started. Students experience hands-on learning, individual attention, and many opportunities for undergraduate research.

With more than 120+ programs, there are many paths ahead.

Students can find the right VIU program to help them prepare for a multitude of careers. Advisors are with them from day one, whether they start out with fundamental upgrading for university entrance, or if they’re a top high school scholar attending on scholarship.