Special Education, MEd
Grade K-12, Mild-Moderate, education research
This program is currently not accepting applications for the Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe track. Advisors are available to discuss other options. Students can email GraduateEducation@asu.edu or call 602-543-6358.
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is changing their name, effective Fall 2025. The new name is Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
No matter where you're located, you can earn your master's degree and prepare to educate learners in grades K--12. Remote coursework allows you to earn a top-ranked master's degree in as few as four semesters.
The Master of Education program in special education prepares students to further their knowledge of special education for learners in grades K--12 with mild/moderate disabilities. It is designed for individuals who do not need to obtain teacher certification. The program builds on connections between educational design and decision-making and is designed to foster strong professional growth and development.
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College faculty actively engage in the educational research community, bringing new and relevant knowledge into the program. Students engage in their own research through applied project coursework, deepening their knowledge and improving their practice through research, critical evaluation and application of education concepts. The program culminates in an applied research project in which students apply what they have learned to address a challenge in special education.
The master's degree program does not lead to teacher certification. Students interested in certification should enroll in the MEd program in special education with a concentration in teacher certification.
- College/school:
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
31 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) - Mild-Moderate Track, or
35 credit hours including the required applied project course (SPE 593) - Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe
Required Core (5 credit hours)
TEL 510 Instructional Design, Planning and Assessment (2)
TEL 517 Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision Making and Action (3)
Track (17 or 27 credit hours)
Mild/Moderate Track (17 credit hours)
Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe Track (27 credit hours)
Elective (0 or 6 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
SPE 593 Applied Project (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students select a track in either Mild/Moderate or Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe. Students should see the academic unit for track course requirements.
Students in the Mild/Moderate track select six credit hours for electives in consultation with the academic unit. The Intensive Support Needs - Moderate/Severe track does not include elective credit hours.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any content area or education-related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- professional resume
- personal statement
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The personal statement should describe the personal and professional goals that motivate the applicant to apply to the graduate program and explain what led the applicant to this career path and how they will excel in the field of special education. The admission committee pays particular attention to the quality of writing and ideas expressed in the personal statement.
The professional resume should be one to two pages and include relevant personal, professional, educational and community activities.
The personal statement and professional resume should be prepared in one of the following file formats: MS Word (.doc), rich text (.rtf), Portable Document Format (.pdf), or text (.txt).
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Graduates are prepared to start or advance in educational careers working with diverse learners in grades K--12 in roles that do not require certification. Students gain skills in instruction, assessment, educational research and collaborating in teams --- all of which prepare them to successfully work in schools and other community-serving organizations. Roles may include noncertified educator in a charter or private school, or educator in a nonschool setting.
This program also may be suitable for certified teachers who do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree in education.
Division of Teacher Preparation
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FAB S200
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
