- Degree Level
- Graduate
- Degrees Offered
- Master of Education
- school/college
- School of Education
Online Master’s in Special Education
Grow Your Expertise in a Customizable Graduate Program
Arcadia’s Master of Education in Special Education features 100% online coursework and hands-on field experience. You will learn to develop meaningful, effective learning activities for students with special needs across the lifespan. Two track options are available depending on your professional experience and career goals:
- Certification track: Designed for educators seeking initial PK-12 special education licensure in the state of Pennsylvania
- Non-certification track: Designed for educators seeking a graduate education degree without certification or educators who already hold a teaching license
Why Choose Arcadia?
No matter where you are in your education career, the master of special education online program from Arcadia delivers the knowledge you need to advance. Our long tradition of excellence in teacher education means we understand both the needs of educators and the complexities of teaching and learning in the 21st century.
Because the program is delivered in a flexible online format with part-time scheduling, you can continue working while earning your degree. Other benefits include:
- Two degree pathways: Choose the certification track for initial Pennsylvania licensure or the non-certification track to finish your program in as soon as one year.
- Small classes: Learn in a supportive environment that prioritizes collaboration and connection with peers and expert faculty members.
- A streamlined application process: Test scores are not required and there is no application fee, making your degree more accessible.
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this online program from Arcadia University.
Career Outlook in Special Education
Graduate study in special education can help you open doors to new professional opportunities as an innovative leader in your school or district. The median annual wage for special education teachers was $65,910 in May 2023, higher than the national average for all occupations. Demand for special education teachers is driven by school enrollment rates and earlier intervention for children with disabilities.1
Advanced Special Education Coursework in a Flexible Format
Arcadia’s M.Ed. in Special Education features fully online courses that equips you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills to support and elevate diverse learner populations. Engage in cutting-edge coursework on assistive technology, special education law, individualized education programs (IEPs), and inclusive instructional strategies. In addition, the certification track features student teacher practicum experiences to meet Pennsylvania PK-12 special education licensure requirements.
Course Highlights:
- Assistive Technologies and Related Services
- Disability Studies and Special Education Law
- Diversity, Equity, and Justice in Special Education
- Interpreting Educational Research
- Teaching Methods for Students with ASD
Admissions Requirements
Arcadia University is here to support you throughout the admissions process. Ready to get started? Here are our admission requirements for applying to the master of special education online program.
| Completed online application—you can apply now (there is NO application fee) |
| Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA* from an accredited institution |
| Official transcripts from each college, university, or professional school attended |
| Two letters of recommendation |
| Personal statement |
You can transfer up to six credits for the non-certification track of the online Master of Education in Special Education program. Transfer credits for the certification track vary. for more information.
We welcome applications all year, and you can begin classes in the spring, summer, or fall.
Tuition Details
In Arcadia’s master of special education online program, you’ll complete 11 or 14 courses (33 or 45 credit hours) to attain your degree with a cost per credit of $765. Without transferring credits, total tuition is $25,245 for the non-certification track and $34,425 for the certification track.**
Be sure to explore your financial aid options. Arcadia University is also a Military Friendly® School, striving to offer quality and cost-effective education for service members and veterans.
What You Will Learn
Arcadia’s online M.Ed. in Special Education program is designed to prepare and empower educators to expand educational horizons for all students in need.
Delivered through a flexible online curriculum, Arcadia’s program equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to expand educational opportunity, equity, and inclusion for all students in need, to teach and advocate for families and children with a variety of needs and lead special education programs in their schools and districts.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate Deep Expertise in Special Education Foundations: Exhibit comprehensive understanding of key special education principles, including legislation and policy, professional and ethical standards, learner diversity, instructional design, and inclusive learning environments.
- Lead Inclusive and Collaborative Practices: Plan, implement, and evaluate instruction and interventions for students with disabilities across diverse educational settings, while fostering strong professional and interagency collaborations.
- Cultivate Cultural Competency and Equity: Engage in ongoing reflection of personal and systemic cultural lenses to identify and address biases, and to promote inclusive, equitable practices that honor each learner’s identity and strengths.
- Champion Strengths-Based Approaches: Apply asset-based perspectives that recognize the potential in every learner, and set high, individualized expectations that support personal growth and academic achievement.
- Utilize Comprehensive Support Frameworks: Apply specialized knowledge of diagnostic processes, planning and placement procedures, and multi-tiered frameworks such as MTSS, PBIS, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to meet diverse student needs.
- Implement Evidence-Based Behavioral and Emotional Supports: Integrate trauma-informed practices and resilience-building strategies into educational settings to promote mental health, wellness, and positive behavior outcomes.
- Interpret and Apply Assessment Data Effectively: Conduct and analyze both formal and informal assessments across academic, cognitive, communicative, social, emotional, and physical domains, using results to inform IEP development and individualized instruction.
- Design Equitable Learning Environments: Create inclusive classrooms that account for the intersectionality of disability, cultural background, developmental variation, and social identity to ensure all students have access to meaningful, high-quality learning experiences.
- Engage with Communities and Professional Networks: Participate in school-based and community-oriented experiences, gaining insights and skills to effectively collaborate with a range of professionals, agencies, and support systems.
- Advocate for Students and Families: Serve as a voice for the rights, needs, and aspirations of students with disabilities and their families, promoting inclusive practices in schools and society.
- Leverage Innovative Technology Solutions: Incorporate educational and assistive technologies to support student engagement, access, and achievement, while empowering learners to utilize technology in personalized and meaningful ways.
Learn From Expert Faculty
Our online master’s of special education program is taught by instructors who are academic experts or educators currently working in the field. This combination ensures coursework includes a range of perspectives.
Faculty Spotlight
Kim Dean, Ph.D. NCSP
Associate Professor
Kim Dean, Ph.D. NCSP, associate professor and current Rosemary Blankley Chair in the School of Education, joined the faculty at Arcadia University in 2002. She is the director of the Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity in Special Education Program. Kim is a founder of the REAL Certificate, a two-year program serving college-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Arcadia and has received several grants in support of the program. For the last five years she has been working on a USAID sub-award developing cutting-edge STEM teacher education programs in five Egyptian universities. She has traveled to Egypt more than a dozen times in support of these programs consulting in the development of student-centered learning approaches.
Full Bio
Dr. Dean completed her doctorate in school psychology at the University of South Florida in Tampa with a concentration in behavior analysis. Her research in the therapeutic use of play in early intervention for children with disabilities led her to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital working as part of a multidisciplinary team in a developmental pediatric practice as a child and family therapist and school consultant. Ten years of social skills therapy with many children and adolescents forged her passion for a strengths-based approach to assessment and intervention in support of children, families, and educational institutions. In 2001, she moved to Glenside and worked training Philadelphia school counselors in positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) and consultation skills for school-based intervention/prevention. Kim also specializes in the area of autism spectrum disorders and helped to develop Arcadia’s autism certificate program as well as the master's in applied behavior analysis. She is currently co-chairing the JED Mental Health Initiative on campus and is developing a graduate certificate in social emotional learning (SEL).
Kim is honored to serve as a founding Board member of “A Step Up Academy” with the mission of providing K-22 students with autism and their families a therapeutically intensive school experience specifically designed to prepare students for transition into inclusive communities while actively preparing our communities for a more inclusive world. She is developing a collaborative research program to explore the impact of this important work.
Online Learning Experience
Arcadia’s online programs bring together the best aspects of flexibility and personal guidance. You can study at your pace, accessing the online coursework at convenient times for your schedule. At the same time, we built our online environment to provide seamless engagement with your instructors and classmates. Benefit from a highly flexible experience backed by ongoing support for achieving your career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the master of special education online program. If you have a question not covered here, request more information to connect with an enrollment adviser.
How do I apply to the online master of special education?
The first step is to start your application. Learn more by visiting the program admissions page.
When are the start dates for the online master of special education throughout the year?
Arcadia offers three starts per year in spring, summer, and fall and applications are accepted year-round. You can begin your application now.
What kinds of careers can I pursue after completing the online master of special education?
Students who choose the certification track can pursue PK-12 special education licensure in the state of Pennsylvania upon program completion. Those who already hold a teaching license before completing the program will be prepared to pursue leadership opportunities in their school or district. Graduates of the non-certification track who do not already hold a teaching license can pursue roles such as education advocate or teaching assistant.
Learn more by visiting the careers page.
Will the online master of special education prepare me to become licensed in my state?
Graduates of the program who choose the certification track are qualified to pursue special education licensure in Pennsylvania. You can learn more by visiting the careers page.
How many credits are in the online master of special education?
You'll complete 33-45 credits to earn your degree. Students in the non-certification track complete 33 credit hours and students in the certification track complete 45 credit hours. You can learn more on the courses page.
How many clinical/field hours are required in the online master of special education?
Those pursuing the certification track will complete seven to nine hours per week in a special education setting. In addition, they will complete a graduate practicum of full-time student teaching. The practicum meets the Pennsylvania certification requirement of 12 weeks of student teaching. Practicum hours are completed in the student’s home state, in classrooms or other educational spaces.
Source and Disclaimers
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Special Education Teachers.” Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm.
*If your GPA is under 3.0, discuss your GPA in your personal statement for admission consideration.
**This is an estimate of the total tuition based on the current school year and is subject to change.
