Master of Education in Special Education

Sacred Heart’s 30-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in special education is designed for licensed educators who want to advance their careers and enhance their teaching capabilities in a critical area of expertise.

This program equips educators with the specialized skills needed to effectively support and teach students with diverse learning needs.

Why Earn a Master of Education from Sacred Heart?

Flexible Online Learning

Our M.Ed. program is tailored for working professionals, as it offers flexible online courses that fit into your busy schedule. This allows new and experienced teachers to balance their professional commitments with their educational goals.

Expert Faculty

Experienced educators and industry experts provide exceptional instruction and personalized feedback, ensuring you gain practical, applicable knowledge.

Advanced Technology

State-of-the-art technology will enhance your learning experience and prepare you to integrate modern educational tools into your teaching practice.

Career Advancement

You will broaden your expertise and open doors for career advancement. You will be well-prepared to take on specialized positions within the field of special education.

Cross Endorsement in Special Education

Upon program completion, you will be eligible to apply for cross endorsement in special education, further enhancing your credentials and expanding your career opportunities.

Program Structure

Credit Requirements

The M.Ed. program has a fall start and consists of 30 credits. It is designed to be completed within 15 months but can be adapted to a pace that suits your professional and personal commitments.

Eligibility

This program is open to educators who already hold a teacher certification from any state, making it accessible to a broad range of teaching professionals.

Key Competencies Developed

Evidence-Based Approaches

Select, adapt and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies, as well as general and specialized curricula, to target instruction for students with specific learning needs.

Integrated Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Develop skills to align SEL with academic targets to create safe, inclusive and culturally responsive environments where students with exceptionalities can thrive.

Data Interpretation

Interpret multiple forms of student assessment data across grade levels, content area and exceptionality category to improve educational decision-making.

Collaboration

Learn how to work with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.

Meet the Growing Demand for Special Education Teachers

Graduates will gain the skills to plan, deliver and assess instruction for students with high incidence exceptionalities in accordance with special education law and best practices. Teacher licensure in special education empowers program graduates to become more effective educators with all students and to pursue more opportunities in teaching, whether in general education, special education or both.

With a critical teacher shortage in special education, there are significant job opportunities in this area. Demand for special education services is expected to rise due to earlier disability identification, which will result in higher enrollment in special education programs. Additionally, there is a strong outlook for job security in this field, given enduring federal laws that require special education instruction and services.

Earn 30 Free Credits with an Optional School-Based Residency

The traditional teacher residency program is available to candidates pursuing the M.Ed. Participation in this school-based experience is optional and entitles the candidate to 30 tuition credits.  Candidates must meet with an adviser to develop a plan of study and can apply for an immediate start in a one-year, school-based experience in the fall semester.

Characterized as a yearlong interview, candidates provide instructional assistance under the support of a school administrator for such tasks as:

• Substitute teaching
• Grade level assisting
• Tutoring
• Guiding small instructional groups
• Chaperoning field trips
• Leading school projects based on personal talents and expertise‌
• Conducting remediation lessons as recommended in learning plans

Traditional Residency Agreement

Students who are accepted into the school-based experience are required to sign a promissory note in which they agree to complete the internship. This entitles them to 30 credits of tuition. They are responsible for tuition bills for any credits required after completion of the initial 30 credits, as well as any program fees.