Master of Education in Special Education (M.Ed.)

 

Excellence in Education for All

West Chester University's Master of Education in Special Education prepares advanced-level, skilled, and effective educators to support learners with disabilities in grades K-12.

Offered 100% online, WCU's M.Ed. in Special Education will help you to synthesize and apply self-awareness and general knowledge of:

• foundations of the study of disability.
• learners with disabilities.
• appropriate content for learners with disabilities.
• effective classroom pedagogy.

The West Chester University M.Ed. in Special Education will give you the opportunity to customize to your individual interests by allowing you to choose a 12-credit concentration from a variety of options. The program also offers a 54-credit option to satisfy both M.Ed. and certification requirements within the state of Pennsylvania. The joint M.Ed. with certification program is designed for General education teachers or other educators/specialists, paraprofessionals, special education teachers who are on emergency certification, and non-teachers/career changers.

WCU's program encourages reflection on the art of teaching and results in professionals who make sound data-driven and ethical educational decisions regarding curriculum and instructional strategies for students with disabilities. We believe that high standards of scholarship and the application of research, as well as an emphasis on evidence-based practice, professionalism, collaboration, and knowledge of current trends in the field, are essential for all teachers of special education.

Our graduates are equipped to serve as effective practitioners and leaders who are committed to ensuring equity and high-quality programming in their service to K-12 students with disabilities.

 

Concentrations

Certificate in Autism

This concentration provides professionals, parents, and other members of the community access to empirically validated educational approaches for teaching persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), strategies for implementing these approaches, and methods to assess the effectiveness of these approaches, i.e. the effect of education/treatment on the person's quality of life.

Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Education

This 12-credit interdisciplinary certificate provides the knowledge and skills needed to work within a Multi-Tiered System of Support in partnership with communities and families to address the academic, behavior and social-emotional needs of students impacted by trauma. Several elective courses are offered through the College of Health Sciences and the Department of Philosophy to add depth and context to your knowledge of trauma.

Graduate Certificate in Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technologies

The Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technologies concentration provides professionals, parents, and other community members with instruction and training in assessment, pedagogy, and technology that support students that rely on UDL and AT for learning.

Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education PK-12

The Post-Baccalaureate certification may be completed concurrently with your M.Ed. in Special Education for a total of 54-credits. This option is open to any student with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an expressed interest in working with children with disabilities. The Post-Baccalaureate certification program is designed for General education teachers or other educators/specialists, paraprofessionals, special education teachers who are on emergency certification, and non-teachers/career changers and leads to both an M.Ed. in Special Education and teacher certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

ESL Program Specialist Certificate

This certificate option provides an introduction into teaching English to speakers of other languages. The Certificate is primarily designed to qualify pre-certified and/or licensed teachers to teach ESL in Pennsylvania public schools. The program is interdisciplinary, bringing in courses from our Departments of English, Languages & Cultures, and Linguistics as well as the two practicum courses.

 

Benefits of Earning Your Graduate Degree at West Chester University

Flexible Coursework

WCU's M.Ed. in Special Education was created with working professionals in mind and is offered 100% online. Even with online courses, the program has built-in, synchronous, online meetings to ensure student-to-faculty and student-to-student connection and collaboration to allow you to grow your knowledge and your network.

Accomplished Faculty and Small Classes

WCU has an outstanding faculty with decades of experience in classrooms from preschool through high school. Each professor brings their own expertise and research interests, are frequent presenters at home and abroad, and have published studies, chapters, and books based on their areas of interest.

At WCU, our small graduate classes mean you'll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to providing mentorship and support to each student.

Field Placement

WCU's M.Ed. in Special Education includes field placement courses that enhance the understanding and practice of special education. The structured field hours are integrated to ensure students are able to bridge theory to practice in different types of settings. The number of field courses and hours will depend on the coursework required in your selected concentration.

Personalized Career Advising

As a graduate student at WCU, you will have full access to the Twardowski Career Development Center (CDC). The experts at the CDC will help you explore career options, write your résumé, perfect your interviewing skills, and create a job search strategy. The CDC also hosts employment fairs on campus throughout the year.

 

What Can You Do with a Master of Education Degree in Special Education?

Many of our M.Ed. in Special Education Graduates continue as classroom teachers in their current settings, but with an improved knowledge base and expertise to better serve the needs of their students and communities. Others use their area of focused inquiry to change positions within their schools and districts, serving on different special education leadership teams.

Our program can increase your confidence, leadership opportunities and pay scale, and will provide you with a support network of regional educators.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of a special education teacher is $64,270.

Where are our graduates?

 

What Will You Study as a Student in the Master of Education in Special Education Program?

This is a 33+-credit, 100% online program. The number of total credits will depend on your selected area of concentration.