Master of Science in Special Education with a Concentration in Data Directed Student Progress in Special Education Online
Help students achieve their academic and behavioral potential.
Apply by:
6/14/23
Start class:
7/3/23
Program Overview
What Our Online Master’s in Special Education Offers You
$12,900
Total Tuition
As few as 12 months
Program Duration
30
Credit Hours
Enhance the lives and abilities of exceptional students with the online Master of Science in Special Education with a Concentration in Data Directed Student Progress in Special Education from the University of Southern Maine (USM).
This online master's in special education program is designed to equip educators with the fundamental skills, knowledge, and competencies to meet the needs of students with disabilities—in multiple settings. Prepare to effectively apply theory to practice and learn ways to implement specialized teaching, build effective curricula, and collaborate with other professionals to reach the best outcomes for exceptional students. Our curriculum promotes a multi-tiered system of support for students and incorporates standards from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
Learning Outcomes:
- Collaborate in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences
- Understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences
- Create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners
- Use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to personalize learning for individuals with exceptionalities
- Proficient in the CEC standards of Learner Development and Individual Learning Differences, Learning Environments, Curricular Content Knowledge, Assessment, Instructional Planning and Strategies, Professional Learning and Ethical Practice, and Collaboration
- Collaborate in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences
- Understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences
- Create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners
- Use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to personalize learning for individuals with exceptionalities
- Proficient in the CEC standards of Learner Development and Individual Learning Differences, Learning Environments, Curricular Content Knowledge, Assessment, Instructional Planning and Strategies, Professional Learning and Ethical Practice, and Collaboration
As a graduate of this Master of Science in Special Education online program, you will be prepared to make an impact in educational roles and organizational settings such as:
- K-12 Special Education Teacher
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Clinical Services
- State Agencies
- K-12 Special Education Teacher
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Clinical Services
- State Agencies
$12,900
Total Tuition
As few as 12 months
Program Duration
30
Credit Hours
Accreditation
The University of Southern Maine is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Need More Information?
Tuition
Our Budget-Friendly Tuition is Affordable and Competitive
Our goal is for you to earn a high-quality degree that will help improve your career and income without taking on considerable financial debt.
Tuition breakdown:
$12,900
Total Tuition
$430
Per Credit Hour
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Program |
|---|---|---|
| MSEd – Special Education | $430 | $12,900 |
Tuition breakdown:
$12,900
Total Tuition
$430
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
When to Apply, When Classes Start, When Tuition Is Due
The MS in Special Education online program offers convenient multiple start dates each year to accommodate your professional and personal schedules.
Now enrolling:
6/14/23
Apply Date
7/3/23
Class Starts
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline* | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/15/23 | 4/26/23 | 4/26/23 | 5/15/23 | 5/15/23 | 6/30/23 |
| Summer 2 | 7/3/23 | 6/14/23 | 6/14/23 | 7/3/23 | 5/15/23 | 8/18/23 |
| Fall 1 | 8/28/23 | 8/9/23 | 8/9/23 | 8/28/23 | 8/15/23 | 10/13/23 |
| Fall 2 | 10/23/23 | 10/4/23 | 10/4/23 | 10/23/23 | 8/15/23 | 12/15/23 |
| Spring 1 | 1/16/24 | 12/27/23 | 12/27/23 | 1/16/24 | 1/15/24 | 3/1/24 |
| Spring 2 | 3/18/24 | 2/28/24 | 2/28/24 | 3/18/24 | 1/15/24 | 5/3/24 |
| Summer 1 | 5/13/24 | 4/24/24 | 4/24/24 | 5/13/24 | 5/15/24 | 6/28/24 |
| Summer 2 | 7/1/24 | 6/12/24 | 6/12/24 | 7/1/24 | 5/15/24 | 8/16/24 |
*The payment deadline for the second session of each term is the same as the first session deadline or ten days from the date of registration.
Now enrolling:
6/14/23
Apply Date
7/3/23
Class Starts
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Steps to Being Admitted to Our Online Master’s in Special Education Program
The MS in Special Education online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 2.5 Minimum GPA
- Official Transcripts
- Contact Information for 3 Professional References
- Online application
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Official transcripts (submitted directly from the granting institution) from all colleges/universities attended
- Contact information for three professional references (in the online application)
- Resume
- Statement of purpose/essay (in the online application)
- Upload your essay in PDF format in the online application or email your essay to [email protected]
- Type a brief essay (300-500 words) on the following prompt: As someone with experience supporting individuals with suspected or indicated disabilities, describe why you are seeking a master's degree in special education. What is one aspect of your knowledge or experience that will be strengthened by earning this degree? How will earning this master's degree make a difference to the people and communities with whom you work?
Official transcripts (submitted directly from the granting institution) and other supporting documents may be mailed or emailed.
Mailing Address:Application Processing Center
University of Maine System
P.O. Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412
Email Address:
[email protected]
Courses
Read About Our Online Master's in Special Education Classes
For the MS in Special Education online program, you will complete a total of 10 courses equaling 30 credit hours.
SED 604: Behavioral Principles to Analyze Learning, Teaching, and Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This introductory course introduces principles of teaching and learning demonstrated to be effective in improving student success in academics, behavior, and social skills. Included in the course are preparing learning objectives, designing direct and explicit instruction to address the objectives, defining assessment data gathering and analyzing procedures, and determining student progress and instructional adjustments. The course provides fundamental knowledge and skills used in several courses throughout the program focused on the multi-tier system of student support for academics and behavior, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Progress Monitoring in reading and mathematics.
SED 682: Special Education Regulations, Procedures and the IEP Team
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is for educators working directly with students with suspected and identified disabilities. The course focuses on the role of special education in both a multitiered system of student support (MTSS) and the process for developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
SED 617: Data-Driven Student Behavior Support
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares special education teachers to understand and use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as part of a multi-tiered system of supports. Participants will learn the types of behavior supports for three tiers of instruction and intervention that can be used with students in kindergarten through grade 12, including students with diverse abilities and backgrounds. Key features of behavior supports for each tier as well as appropriate progress monitoring assessments will be explained. Participants will review and critique recent research about data-driven student behavioral support practices.
SED 654: Assessment in Special Education
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare special educators and other professionals who work in schools to select, administer, score, and interpret measures of academic achievement. Numerous measures of academic achievement, including published norm-referenced tests, criterion-referenced tests, curriculum-based assessment and measurement, and performance-based assessments will be studied.
SED 518: Targeted and Individualized Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The primary purpose of this course is to learn and analyze principles and skills of teaching and learning which are effective with students who need more intensive and individualized teaching (students with IEPs or who are currently being served on Tier Two or Three of the continuum of multitiered systems of student support).
SED 628: Data-Driven Reading Instruction
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares special education teachers to use reading instruction and assessment for students with diverse abilities and backgrounds in kindergarten through grade 12. The course is organized around three tiers of instruction and intervention, with recommended reading instruction and assessment for each tier. Participants will learn the research foundations for direct instruction in reading and how specific lesson formats can be aligned with individual student needs. Key features of both direct instruction reading lessons as well as appropriate progress monitoring assessments will be explained. Participants will review and critique recent research about data-driven reading instruction and intervention practices.
SED 626: Data-Driven Mathematics Instruction
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares special education teachers to use mathematics instruction and assessment for students with diverse abilities and backgrounds in kindergarten through grade 12. The course is organized around three tiers of instruction and intervention, with recommended mathematics instruction for each tier. Participants will learn the research foundations for direct instruction in mathematics and how specific lesson formats can be aligned with individual student needs. Key features of both direct instruction mathematics lessons as well as appropriate progress monitoring assessments will be explained. Participants will review and critique recent research about data-driven mathematics instruction and intervention practices.
SED 687: Technology for Communicating and Learning
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces students to the use of technology, including assistive technology, with all students, including those individuals with special learning and communication needs. A range of technologies will be examined, from low-tech devices such as simple switches to computers, adaptive devices, and software appropriate for individuals with disabilities.
EDU 600: Research Methods in Education
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course studies the concepts, principles, and techniques of educational research with an emphasis on scientific inquiry and problem-solving, designed for both the producer and consumer of educational research. Individual critiques and research reviews are completed.
SED 699: Special Education Research Capstone
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an opportunity to gain, apply, and integrate knowledge and skill in exceptionality by planning and conducting a project. The project must be intellectually sound, have direct applicability to the student, and produce a high-quality product. Specific content and methods of evaluation are determined in conjunction with instructor. Prerequisites: EDU 600, matriculated students only, and program permission.
Named #2 in the "2020 Best Online Colleges in Maine" rankings by Guide to Online Schools –GuideToOnlineSchools.com
Named #42 in the "Best Online Master's Degrees in Special Education" rankings, 2021 – BestAccreditedColleges.org
