Special education instructional specialist reading a book with K-12 student in a classroom setting.

MSE in Special Education - Instructional Specialist K-12 Online

Arkansas State University's online M.S. in Education in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 is a 36-credit-hour, CAEP-accredited program completed in as few as 16 months through accelerated online courses (7 weeks in fall and spring, 5 weeks in summer). Built for licensed teachers, it prepares graduates to lead special education classrooms, coach general-education colleagues and pursue roles such as special education instructional specialist, curriculum specialist and director of special education.

Next Apply Date: 9/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 10/12/26
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 9/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 10/12/26

Program Overview

Explore our MSE in Special Ed. – Instructional Specialist K-12 online program

Learn how to lead a special ed classroom, provide students with one-to-one instruction and serve as a resource for general education teachers who have learners with exceptionalities in their classes. Develop effective transition plans for graduating students and their life after high school. Gain specialized knowledge and skills for working with specific student populations, including kids with hearing or visual impairment, traumatic brain injury, autism or multiple disabilities.

Our coursework is designed with real-world application in mind. Every course integrates strategies and tools that you can immediately implement in your classroom or other school settings. Upon graduation, you will be theory-informed but also practice-ready—empowered to lead instructional improvement and support teacher effectiveness.

This program is designed to foster leadership growth while allowing you to remain active in your classroom. A strong focus on instructional leadership, extending beyond the scope of conventional administrative duties, sets it apart from other programs. You will be well-prepared for positions such as director of special education, special education supervisor, curriculum coordinator, teacher leader, and other influential roles in education.

For state program approvals, please refer to our State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

Additional documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

This program requires Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).

Educators completing this program gain expertise in the following areas:

  • Teaching students exhibiting developmental, learning and behavioral exceptionalities
  • Consulting with general education teachers who have students with exceptionalities in their classrooms
Educators completing this program gain expertise in the following areas:+
  • Teaching students exhibiting developmental, learning and behavioral exceptionalities
  • Consulting with general education teachers who have students with exceptionalities in their classrooms

Prepare for roles in K-12 special education teaching or leadership roles, including:

  • Elementary School Special Education Teacher
  • Middle School Special Education Teacher
  • High School Special Education Teacher
  • Special Education Instructional Specialist
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Director of Special Education
  • Special Education Supervisor
  • Behavior Intervention Specialist
  • Special Education Coordinator
  • IEP Coordinator
  • Inclusion Specialist
Prepare for roles in K-12 special education teaching or leadership roles, including:+
  • Elementary School Special Education Teacher
  • Middle School Special Education Teacher
  • High School Special Education Teacher
  • Special Education Instructional Specialist
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Director of Special Education
  • Special Education Supervisor
  • Behavior Intervention Specialist
  • Special Education Coordinator
  • IEP Coordinator
  • Inclusion Specialist
+

MSE in SPED – Instructional Specialist K-12 Online FAQs

The MSE in Special Education is a degree that offers current classroom teachers the chance to improve their knowledge about exceptional learners and earn certification in special education. It is also for experienced special education teachers who want to enrich their teaching practice and gain the career benefits that come with a master's degree. Coursework will orient you to the broader goals of special education as well as evolving definitions and concepts of disability.
Master’s coursework will give you a solid foundation in special education law and policy, as well as best practices in assessment and instruction for exceptional learners. In the A-State online MSE in  Special Education program, you will study advanced teaching strategies as you build expertise in education planning and collaboration, positive behavior intervention and assistive technology for learning and communication. The program is designed to enhance your knowledge and classroom practice, whether you are working with groups of exceptional learners or with children and youth one to one.
Accredited master's programs in special education must meet the highest standards for faculty qualifications, teaching methods, curriculum and graduation rates. Without accreditation, there is no guarantee for students that a degree program meets those academic and professional standards. A-State education licensure programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). CAEP accreditation is the gold standard in educator preparation, highlighting program excellence. The university is also regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Check with the special education agency in your desired state of employment to confirm licensure and certification standards there. You can use the Department of Education’s interactive  state contacts map to find information on the agencies that govern each U.S. state or territory.
Adding graduate study to a full-time job can certainly be a challenge, especially for teachers. If you have been waiting for the right time or circumstances to earn your master's, consider learning online. Many teachers find that balancing work and school is much easier in A-State online MSE programs, since courses tend to have weekly readings and assignments rather than ongoing deadlines. Your study schedule can be as flexible as you need it to be. In fact, the core skills you bring to your work as a teacher—such as organization and time management—will help you thrive in an online graduate program. Your ability to collaborate and communicate as a teacher will also give you an advantage in working with A-State professors and classmates online as you advance your career with a master's in education.
A special education instructional specialist supports classroom teaching, coaches general-education colleagues on serving students with exceptionalities and helps design and evaluate instructional programs, without necessarily holding an administrator title. A-State's MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 is built specifically for this role.
Demand for special education expertise remains strong nationally as districts work to meet growing caseloads and federal requirements. Graduates of this MSE are positioned for instructional specialist, curriculum specialist and eventually director-level roles as their experience grows.
"Intervention specialist" is a title used in some states (notably Ohio) for what Arkansas and many other states call a special education teacher or instructional specialist. A-State's MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 covers the same core competencies — assessment, individualized instruction, and behavior support — regardless of the state-specific title.
Choose this MSE if you want the full master's-level credential, broader coursework, and eligibility for instructional-leadership roles like curriculum specialist or director. If you already hold a related degree and just need the K-12 special education endorsement added to your license, A-State's Special Education K-12 Certificate is the faster, lower-cost path.

Also available:

This MSE is one of several special education credential paths. If you're weighing your options, explore the related programs below:

Total Tuition: $12,600
Program Duration: As few as 16 months
Credit Hours 36

Accreditation

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Call 866-621-8096

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Recognized among the “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report (2026)

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Tuition

How much does the online MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 program cost?

Our MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 online program offers the same affordable tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $350
Total Tuition: $12,600

Built for Arkansas Educators

Arkansas State University's MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 is designed for Arkansas-licensed teachers pursuing advanced special education credentials. Candidates seeking Arkansas licensure must pass Praxis Exam 5511 (score 148), Praxis Exam 5354 (score 138) and Praxis Exam 190 (score 233). The program is completed entirely online in as few as 16 months, with course-embedded field activities you can complete in your own school or district. For state authorization and Arkansas-specific licensure approval details, visit the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

Calendar

When can you start the online MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 program?

Our MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 18/19/268/5/268/5/268/17/268/17/2610/2/26
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/273/4/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 9/28/26
Start Class 10/12/26

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 program?

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a valid teaching certificate. Make sure to review full admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Valid teaching license
View all admission requirements +

  • A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.75 (or 3.0 on the last 60 hours) on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution
  • A valid teaching certificate
  • Commitment from an appropriate professional who will function as your mentor during the degree program. View acceptable mentors (PDF).

    • Application submission requirements

    • Complete online application
    • Pay the nonrefundable $30 fee
    • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the sending institution.
    • Provide contact information for the supervisor who will function as your mentor

Note: Candidates seeking licensure in Arkansas must take and pass Praxis Exam 5511-Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge with a score of 148, Praxis Exam 5354-Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications with a score of 138, and Praxis Exam 190-Foundations of Reading with a score of 233. Student may also submit a waiver form indicating the student understands they must pass state licensure exams in order to receive teaching licensure.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

Additional information

For more information on state eligibility, please visit our State Authorization and Licensure Disclosures page.

Appeals process

Email a written Letter of Appeal and GRE or GMAT scores (may be unofficial) to [email protected]

Transfer credits

Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.

"The cost was a big reason why I chose A-State. The MSE program was extremely affordable. Plus, they guaranteed that the entire program was online."

Renee Dixson, graduate, online MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12

Courses

What courses are in the MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 curriculum?

Students are required to complete 36 hours of coursework. As you move through this program, you will engage in meaningful, course-embedded field activities that connect special education theory, research and best practices to your day-to-day work in your school and district. These experiences are designed to help you immediately apply what you learn in real-world settings.

You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Role of convergent research evidence in addressing current issues in special education practice and policy, including group experimental, single subject, and qualitative research designs used to address current is­sues.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Developing comprehensive understanding of diagnostic and corrective needs of individuals with reading disabilities in special education classrooms.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Experience in the admin­istration and interpretation of assessment procedures for planning and implementing instructional interventions for students with exceptionalities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Relation­ship of language acquisition and literacy development for exceptional learners, focusing on the identification, analysis, and correction of literacy development in print knowledge, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.  Prerequisites: admission to the MSE in Special Education Instructional Specialist K-12 program or MAT in Special Education K-12 program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
General and specialized curriculum and methods for teaching students with mild/moderate needs in the K-12 setting, including curricula and intervention strategies for the development of cognitive, academic, social, language and functional life skills for independent, community, and employment living.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the team plan­ning process, working with families, and service delivery options for special education, including special class placement, consultation, and collaborative teaching.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This provides a basis of under­standing and addressing behavior challenges of diverse learners. In this course a range of is­sues, concepts and practices centering on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) in school, communities, and other social settings.  Prerequisites: MSE candidates in Special Educa­tion.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Ev­idenced-based research is presented with regard to all educational programs for students with severe, intellectual disabilities and autism, including strategies educators use in concert with team members to plan, teach, and monitor students’ progress.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of legal aspects of special education with emphasis given to the following six principals of special education law: (1) zero project, (2) nondiscriminatory classification, (3) individualized and appropriate education, (4) least restrictive placement, (5) due process, and (6) parent participation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Instructional approaches, strategies and materials for addressing the academic needs of students with ex­ceptionalities, including the selection and use of various strategies to teach students with excep­tionalities in the content areas of writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.  Prerequisites: admission to the MSE in Special Education Instructional Specialist K-12 program.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Special Education Laboratory Experience is the internship component of the MSE in Special Education K-12 program. Candidates will develop and implement field-based projects for the purpose of applying the knowledge and skill sets ob­tained in all courses leading up to the Laboratory Experience course. Implementation of projects will take place in a special education setting to provide an opportunity for candidates to work with students with exceptionalities. Emphasis is on practical application of theoretical methods. Prereq­uisites, Passage of Special Education Praxis II and permission of advisor.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Addressing cultural, linguistic, and educational needs of learners with exceptionalities in schools through culturally responsive teaching, with em­phasis placed on developing positive partnerships between schools, students, and their families and communities.  Prerequisites: admission to the MSE in Special Education Instructional Specialist K-12 program or MAT in Special Education K-12 program.

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