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

MSE in Special Education - Instructional Specialist K-12 Online

This degree program offers educators an advanced performance-based program of study based on the recommendations of professional organizations and accrediting associations such as the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Next Apply Date: 12/15/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/12/26
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/15/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/12/26

Program Overview

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

The online Master of Science in Education in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 program offers educators a CAEP-accredited course of study that features tightly integrated courses and an application-based curriculum aligned with recommendations from professional organizations such as the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). The program prepares you for Arkansas licensure as a special education teacher in grades K-12, and to work with children and youth with disabilities in a variety of instructional settings.

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.

Please refer to the Program Approval Map for eligibility information related to this program.

Additional documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

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

State Program Approvals (.PDF)

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
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
+

MSE in SPED – Instructional Specialist K-12 Online FAQs

Special education is a term that refers to educational services for children and youth who are exceptional learners, and the way teachers work with this population of students. It also references federal education law that requires schools to provide students with disabilities the same quality of education that students without disabilities receive. Special education is about maintaining an inclusive and accessible school environment and making sure that students have the learning support and accommodations they need in the classroom.
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.

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

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

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Best Online Master's in Education

Recognized among the “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report (2024)

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION DEGREE

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

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

Calendar

See the important milestones to guide your journey

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
Spring 11/12/2612/15/2512/15/251/8/261/9/262/27/26
Spring 23/9/262/23/262/23/263/5/263/6/265/1/26

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/15/25
Start Class 1/12/26

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

Learn how to apply to this MSE in Special Ed. – 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

Take a look at the MSE in Special Ed. – Instructional Specialist K-12 courses

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.

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares teachers to meet the needs of elementary and secondary students with learning and behavior problems in a variety of settings based on current research and best practices.
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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the principles and practices for assessment and identification of individuals with disabilities with emphasis on the administration of formal and informal assessment instruments and interpretation and reporting of assessment data.
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
A study of models for the planning and delivering of instruction to students with disabilities who require an individualized general curriculum Includes techniques and materials for teaching reading, math and writing.
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 course provides a basis of understanding and addresses behavior challenges of diverse learners. A range of issues, concepts, and practices centering on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) in school, communities, and other social settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced Methods of Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities 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.
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 skills 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 from 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.

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