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Master of Arts in Education/Special Education
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You can make a difference in a child’s life
Master of Arts in Education/Special Education
The challenge of working with exceptional students requires teachers with extraordinary gifts. If you’ve always thought about becoming a special education teacher, but your bachelor’s degree is in a discipline other than Education, our Master of Arts in Education/Special Education (MAEd/SPE) can help you achieve your goal.
This graduate degree program is intended for students with no prior teaching experience. The MAEd/SPE will introduce you to methods and strategies for classroom instruction while providing a deeper understanding of working with children who have special needs. Nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the curriculum blends academic theory with relevant coursework, field experience and student teaching in cross-categorical setting, and includes all essential elements required to help you prepare for a career in special education.
What you'll learn
How to afford your degree
Use the information below or speak with a Finance Advisor to better understand your financial options. You'll also find out how you may be able to lower your out-of-pocket expense and what options may be available to help you fund your education.
How to get started
Talk with an advisor to learn more about the admissions process and choose your degree program.
The core curriculum of the Master of Arts in Education/Special Education degree program ranges from 41-46 credit hours, depending on the requirements of your state agency. Admissions and program requirements vary by state. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for state and/or program specific information.
Core Courses
Test-Prep courses are also available.
University of Phoenix is committed to providing the services and support you need to reach your goal of becoming a teacher. Teaching candidates seeking licensure can prepare for certain state-specific proficiency exams by enrolling in our test-prep courses . Brush up on your Math, Science and Reading skills by enrolling in one or all of the courses aligned to the CBEST®, The Praxis SeriesTM or TExES TM tests.
CBEST is a registered trademark of NCS Pearson, Inc.; The Praxis Series is a trademark of Education Testing Service;TExES is a trademark of Texas Education Testing Service.
Estimate Tuition
Cash Plan
Review our Cash Plan, which gives you the option to pay course-by-course as you pursue your education.
Scholarships
Scholarships pay for tuition-related expenses and don't need to be paid back. Your advisor can help you find scholarships that you may be eligible for.
Federal Financial Aid Plan
Investigate federal financial aid options including government grants and loans. Your advisor will help you check your eligibility.
Third-party billing
Under the Third-Party Billing Plan, University of Phoenix directly bills an approved employer for a student's tuition. To find out if your company supports direct bill, speak to your human resources department or one of our advisors.
Need more information?
An advisor can help you review your options and choose the one that’s best for you.
How can I use my Military benefits?
Whether you're serving on Active Duty, are a member of the Reserve or National Guard, or are the spouse of a military member, you're eligible for a reduction in tuition. Our special military tuition rates combined with some of the resources below can help you get started in your pursuit of a degree.
The Federal Military Tuition Assistance Program
With federal military tuition assistance, you may receive 100% federal Tuition Assistance for your military service.
Montgomery GI Bill
At University of Phoenix, you can apply your Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, or your Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve to your educational costs.
Post 9/11 GI Bill
If you're a veteran or military servicemember who served a minimum of 90 combined days on active duty after September 10th, 2001, you may be eligible for Post 9/11 GI benefits.
Active Duty Spouse Benefits
As a military spouse, you may be eligible for financial assistance that can help you pursue your degree.
Benefits of this degree program
Learn from others’ experience.
Our College of Education faculty members have advanced degrees and professional experience in P-12 education with a cumulative average of more than 16 years in the areas they teach. Those who teach initial, teacher-preparation and advanced teacher degree programs also hold current teaching credentials in their home state. Among our faculty are 61 department chairs, 430 principals and 1,800 teachers—all of whom are ready to share proven methods in the classroom to help you succeed in yours.
Keep current in technology skills that speak to today’s learners.
College of Education students and faculty have access to our Technology Resource Library , providing access to lesson plans, tutorials and other resources for the latest teaching technologies. Gain deeper understanding of the tools needed to connect with today's technologically savvy students.
Try out new ideas as you learn.
Our innovative Virtual School is an online tool you can use to apply what you’re learning in class to a simulated environment for a deeper understanding of “what if?”
Demonstrate your mastery of curriculum, instruction and assessment.
As a College of Education student, you'll get a subscription to the TaskStream® e-Portfolio system. This web-based system features state-specific standards, and allows you to develop, then showcase samples of your lesson plans and projects.
TaskStream is a registered trademark of TaskStream LLC.
Is this the right program for you?
Talk to an advisor who specializes in the Master of Arts in Education/Special Education degree to make sure this program fits your specific needs. You can also get to know University of Phoenix by checking out the Phoenix Prep Center.
Why NCATE accreditation matters
The University of Phoenix College of Education is a candidate for accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the longest-standing agency for high-quality education preparation programs in the country.
NCATE develops effective guidelines for preparing the next generation of educators. Institutions that meet NCATE criteria focus on teaching theory and practice; using valid, reliable and fair assessment; supporting and developing faculty; and providing adequate resources to support program implementation and improvement.
For our students, NCATE accreditation means two things:
- The College of Education’s curriculum meets rigorous national standards for teacher preparation.
- Graduates of our programs will be prepared to provide high-quality classroom instruction.
Learning outcomes
Review the learning outcomes report for the Master of Arts in Education/Special Education program.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor.
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A student-centered learning experience
Each course is led by an experienced faculty member in a collaborative team forum in which you and your classmates actively share information and directly apply new ideas to your professional experience.
A University that’s working to transform education
We’re working to make education part of the national dialogue by celebrating innovations in education and embracing ideas for reform. Join the conversation; hear what leaders and educators are saying, and take action.
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