Master's in Special Education Overview
Build inclusive classroom environments where students have access to learning opportunities, tools, and community support to promote positive outcomes. The Master of Arts in Special Education program is focused on innovative and inclusive education. We promote high expectations to ensure that all children are welcomed into the general education classroom. You’ll graduate ready to make an impact in your classroom.
Inclusive Early Childhood Education Emphasis
This emphasis is ideal for students seeking advanced professional preparation and research opportunities in early childhood education, early childhood special education, and inclusive teaching. This emphasis qualifies students to earn a Colorado Department of Education teaching license/endorsement in Early Childhood Education (age birth to 8 years old) and Early Childhood Special Education (age birth to 8 years old).
Master of Arts in Special Education
College of Education
100% Online
Delivery Method
$710*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate In-state
$811*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate Out-of-state
Priority Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline
36
Credit Hours
2 Years
Average Completion Time
MA in Special Education Course Overview
The special education master's program combines online and field-based learning experiences to provide unique opportunities for students. Students can create a program uniquely designed for a specific area of interest by adding an emphasis. The program requires that the students complete (30) units of graduate work culminating in an in-depth research project. Students wishing to obtain a teaching license or added endorsement in Special Education should declare an appropriate emphasis.
- 12 credits of required courses
- 18 credits of electives
In this program, you will:
Develop new special education knowledge and translate special education and related research into practice.
Use assessment data to plan instruction, monitor student progress, and determine the effectiveness of instruction.
Promote and model excellence in special education practice.
Work collaboratively with general educators and communicate in an effective, professional manner with parents, staff, administrators, students, and related service personnel.
- SPED 5000: dis/Ability Studies in Education
- SPED 5001: Foundations of Special Education
- LEAD 5700: Introduction to Research and Statistics
- CURR 5090: Master’s Research Project
- SPED 5004: Self-Determination and Transition
- SPED 5010: Multisensory Structured Language Education
- SPED 5020: Significant Support Needs
- SPED 5021: Designing Positive Classroom Environments
- SPED 5022: Consultation and Collaboration
- CURR 5004: Schools, Society, and Diversity
- CURR 5170: Introduction to Technology in Education
- CURR 5204: Math and Cognition
- CURR 5700: Introduction to ESL/Multicultural Education
- CURR 5707: Pro-Seminar: Parent and Community Involvement
- LEAD 5600: Social Foundations of Education Trends
- Students may also propose alternative courses as electives, pending advisor approval. For details on program coursework, please visit the program's Academic Catalog page.
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Designing Positive Classroom Environments (SPED 5021)
This course examines positive behavior support from philosophical, theoretical, individual, and systemic perspectives. It emphasizes characteristics of students with challenging behavior, functional behavioral assessment, school-wide, classroom, and non-classroom PBS models and interventions, and models for family and community positive behavioral support. Twenty (20) hours of field experience is required. -
Consultation and Collaboration (SPED 5022)
This course critically analyzes issues, research, implementation approaches, and recommended practices for employing collaborative models to support learning across diverse school and community settings. Students will access and evaluate community resources. They will also develop and maintain interdisciplinary and interagency partnerships. -
Schools, Society, and Diversity (CURR 5004)
Emphasizing the foundations of American education through a contemporary lens, the course investigates multiple dimensions of diversity and society impacting today’s schools. Implications for innovative educational curricula and pedagogy are explored through evaluation of graduate-level readings and research.
Special Education Field Career Data
According to Lightcast, the special education field has grown 8.9% in the U.S. between 2022 and 2025. They also project the field to grow 2.8% over the next four years. Across the country, the average salary of special education professionals is $60,902, which includes special education teachers for preschool through secondary school.
Take the First Step
Complete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Tuition and Fees
At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
Complete the form on this page to connect with our Enrollment Team and get more information about tuition, fees, scholarships, and financial aid.
Western Region Graduate Program (WRGP/WICHE)
Students from the following states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States) have the opportunity to pay a reduced tuition rate which is currently equal to in-state tuition.
In State Cost Per Credit:
$710
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Out of State Cost Per Credit:
$811
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education. Our Enrollment Navigators can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to transfer credits and corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree. Complete the formComplete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a UCCS Online program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
- Scholarships | You may be eligible for scholarships at UCCS. We offer many scholarships and grants to students who are ready to earn their degrees and achieve success. Between both UCCS-offered and external scholarships, our students earned more than $10 million in scholarship awards last year alone.
UCCS Online is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a UCCS Online student, you will have access to the UCCS Veteran and Military Affairs, which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success. UCCS is a proud home campus to many veteran and military students.
Eligible veteran and military students may use veteran benefits, military tuition assistance, and/or financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with UCCS Online include:
- Waived application fee for active duty and veterans
- Military benefits approved program
Connect with our Enrollment NavigatorsConnect with our Enrollment Navigators to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
All students are automatically opted in to the TAAP program with the choice to opt out. The TAAP program provides all your course materials for one flat fee per credit hour. That means no more time spent searching for, ordering, and paying out of pocket for your own course materials.
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits as part of their employee compensation program. Generally, these policies determine a set number of credit hours per year that the company will pay for on behalf of the student/employee. Some policies place a cap on eligible tuition dollars and related expenses while others reimburse employees on a per-credit-hour basis. Get in touch with your organization's human resources department to learn more about your educational benefits.
Admissions Information
Program Admission Checklist
- Complete an application with the UCCS Graduate School.
- Identify the contact information of one individual who can provide a reference (letters are not required). Choose your reference carefully. We recommend someone who has been in a position to supervise and/or evaluate your work.
- Prepare a Career Goals Statement (see details below).
- Submit one transcript from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Send these directly to the UCCS Admissions Office (see details below).
- Current résumé (please include relevant paid work and volunteer experience where applicable).
- Colorado background check or proof of current Colorado teaching licensure. *International applicants only complete the background check if they have lived in the United States for more than one year. To complete the Colorado background check please see instructions below:
- Visit the Colorado State's Background Check website
- Click on Individuals
- Pay the $6.00 fee to receive the results
- Submit the results online through the application portal or send to education@uccs.edu - Once applications materials are in, you will need to interview with a faculty advisor for the program. The goal of this appointment is to answer questions you have about the program, clarify the procedures for admission to the program, and determine your level of interest in and preparation for the program.
Goal Statement
Please describe why you have applied to your respective program and want to be a professional educator. Please be sure to include personal and professional information that supports this decision. Your statement should be at least two pages in length, double spaced. Make sure to include your name and the program you are applying to in your goal statement.
Official Transcripts
Domestic students: Have one official transcript of all higher education course work ever completed to date (undergraduate and graduate GPA must be included on transcripts), sent from the institution you attended directly to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Office of Admissions (electronically or by postal services).
- Postal Services:
UCCS Office of Admissions
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs CO 80918-3733
- Electronically:
gradapp@uccs.edu
International Applicants
All English as Second Language (ESL) applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency for admission. See the English Proficiency Requirement webpage for more information.
Applicants with any post-secondary course work from an international higher education institution that is recognized by their country's Education Ministry must submit a course-by-course foreign degree evaluation by member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/members), AACRAO (https://www.aacrao.org/) or World Education Services/WES (https://www.wes.org).
To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.
UCCS accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process. However, submitting your application by the preferred deadlines is advisable.
Our stated application deadlines are as follows, but we admit students up to a week before the semester starts. We have also started admitting students mid-semester before Session B begins.
- Fall Semester: August 1
- Spring Semester: November 1
- Summer Semester: May 1
- Summer 2025 – June 9, 2025
- Fall 2025 – August 25, 2025
- Spring 2026 – January 20, 2026
Expand Your Opportunities
Earn an education that creates opportunity. Start the admissions process with an enrollment advisor by filling out the form on this page today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We’re here to help. We emphasize to all students that faculty members are here for them. As faculty seek to connect with you, feel free to use their flexible office hours or contact them if you need additional help.
A common barrier to success is time management, especially if you are working a full-time job. The online format offers more flexibility and the opportunity to develop better balance among your commitments, but having a plan for completing your studies each week can help you get on track to success early.
Online courses at the University of Colorado are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you are receiving the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS). You will be responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course.
The Master of Arts in Special Education has a fully online option, which means you will not be required to take courses at our campus and there are no on-campus components to this program.