Advance Your Expertise and Career

Already have a bachelor's degree and are certified to teach? Our fully online M.Ed. in Special Education (advanced track) is designed for current education professionals who desire advanced expertise and career opportunities in serving students with disabilities.

The M.Ed. in Special Education includes a heavy emphasis on applied behavior analysis, evidence-based behavioral strategies, and research on teaching students with learning disabilities, autism, and intellectual disabilities. This program is uniquely focused on the needs of students with disabilities across multiple settings. 

Future teachers who need their initial teacher certification should explore or M.Ed. in Special Education with certification.

Choose Your Program 

Advanced Track (100% online classes)

This track is appropriate for current educators who already hold a teaching certification, or individuals who do not want/need teacher certification, and are seeking a master's degree in special education. Candidates will learn how to better support students with disabilities through courses in instructional strategies, applied behavior analysis, and related topics.  

• An Evidence-Based Approach to Teaching: The advanced track offers courses across the wide range of disability areas that are covered in special education. Our courses are cutting-edge, and our faculty have developed their classroom curriculum with the most up-to-date research and using evidence-based approach to support students with learning disabilities, autism, behavioral disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.
• Multi-Tiered System of Support: You'll learn how to support students across all content and behavior support needs across different school settings. Candidates also have the opportunity to work directly our special education faculty on applied research in the field and in the classroom, allowing for the development of expertise that can be used toward a doctoral degree.
• Learn Beyond the Books: At UTA, we take classroom learning beyond the textbook. Our M.Ed. in Special Education advanced track allows candidates to take course principals and apply it in their own PK-12 classrooms immediately.

Initial Teacher Certification in Special Education (100% online classes)

This option is appropriate for aspiring educators who have a bachelor's degree (in any field) and need to obtain their initial teacher certification. Details are on the M.Ed. in Special Education with certification webpage. 

Program Advantages:

• Taught by leaders in the field (nationally and internationally) in special education who were all classroom teachers.

Learning outcomes for this program include:

• Preparation to succeed in the critical role of an effective special education teacher within EC-12 schools.
• Understanding and application skills to employ research and evidence-based practices with a wide range of students with disabilities.
• Implementation of data-based decision making to assess, design and implement quality individually designed instruction.
• Emphasis on multi-tiered systems of support, including response to practice and positive behavior supports across school and community settings.

Future roles could include special education teacher, inclusion facilitator, community transition specialist, and leadership/administrative roles.

Career Opportunities:

Students can complete the program in as few as 5 semesters.

Please note that our program only admits students into the Fall cohort. 

Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost for tuition and mandatory fees is $3,628 as of Spring 2024 for an in-state, Texas resident enrolling in 6 credit hours (two courses) of graduate coursework through the College of Education.

Please note that the cost can vary by student in relation to that student's individual circumstances. Additional fees may apply.

For the best approximation of your school costs for tuition and fees, visit the UTA Tuition Estimator.

Paying for School

We offer competitive funding options, including TEACH grants, which provide up to $3,772/year to help you pay for school. View more funding options, including scholarships, on our website.