Do Even More to Support Vulnerable Students
USF’s Special Education M.S.Ed. helps you make a meaningful impact in one of the highest-need areas within education, regardless of your prior teaching experience. In addition to foundational knowledge you can apply in any setting, you’ll take courses to specialize in either Mild Intervention, Intense Intervention, or both.
- If you seek a teaching license, this program prepares you for initial Indiana licensure in Mild Intervention or Intense Intervention for Early Childhood (P–3), Elementary (K–6), Secondary (5–12), or P–12.
- If you’re already licensed, this program can enhance your existing skill set and prepare you for career advancement.
- If you don’t seek a teaching license, this program can help you excel as a special-needs teacher and trainer in non-school settings.
Plus, an M.S.Ed. from the University of Saint Francis puts a premium on quality and affordability. For less than $20,000, you can complete a special education program with full National Recognition by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
Guided by Franciscan values, USF Special Education graduates profoundly impact their classroom by reverencing each student’s unique dignity, encouraging a trustful learning community, serving society, and fostering peace and justice.
Taught by experienced online instructors, the M.S.Ed. program is structured to help you balance life and school obligations. USF’s online Virtual Campus has up to six start dates during the year, and courses are offered in short eight-week sessions, with a 16-week practicum and 16-week clinical internship cementing your learning.
Want the highlights?
Download our FREE program overview to get the info you need, faster.
Graduates of the M.S.Ed. in Special Education program will master the 10 Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards:
- Learner Development
- Learning Differences
- Learning Environments
- Content Knowledge
- Application of Content
- Instructional Practice
- Planning for Instruction
- Instructional Strategies
- Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
- Leadership and Collaboration
M.S.Ed. Program At A Glance
Meeting the graduation requirement of 33 credit hours includes 27 credits of core curriculum and 6 credits in your chosen concentration (Mild or Intense Intervention). You can also choose to specialize in both Mild and Intense Intervention by completing concentration and practicum courses in both concentrations, for a total of 42 credit hours.
-
Core Courses
- Assessment Practices in Special Education
- Collaborative Models of Behavior Management
- Diverse Learners in Today’s Classrooms
- Integrated Classroom Technology
- Language and Social Skills Topics
- Reading Methods
- Research Methods and Statistics
- Research Topics
- Teaching Internship
-
Mild Intervention Courses
Mild Intervention means working with students with mild to moderate learning or emotional disabilities and communication problems.
- Literacy for All Learners
- Methods and Practicum in Mild Intervention
-
Intense Intervention Courses
Intense Intervention entails working with students who have moderate to severe disabilities, multiple disabilities, significant cognitive disabilities, and hearing or vision problems.
- Functional Curriculum/Assistive Technology
- Practicum in Intense Intervention
Professional Licensure Disclosures
- All education and special education licensure programs at USF meet requirements for Indiana state licensure.
- If you desire a license from a state other than Indiana, please contact the State Department of Education for that state for clarification on obtaining licensure.
- Relocating to another state during the course of a program could impact whether or not you meet that state’s requirements. Please contact the appropriate licensing agency for professional licensure eligibility requirements.
- USF students enrolled in teacher education programs are being prepared to test for the Indiana teaching licensure exam. However, students are not required to sit for the Indiana licensure exam to earn the degree.
For more information on professional licensure disclosures, please click here.
Next start date:
Apply Today or call 888-880-6893
-
The University of Saint Francis meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
-
Accredited by the Indiana Department of Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
-
Recognized Nationally by the Council for Exceptional Children
-
2019 Best Online Master’s Degree Programs
$535 per credit
(2022–2023 academic year)
Save time—and money—through transfer credits and financial aid.
Find out what you're eligible for.
Call 888-880-6893
Potential Career Settings
- Public schools (early childhood, elementary, secondary)
- Private schools
- Childcare services
- Social services
National Median Salary
Special Education Teachers
$61,500
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Projected New Jobs
Special Education Teachers
37,600
Projected growth from 2020–2030
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Meet Your Program Director
Juanita Oberley
Director of Special Education and Assistant Professor
“Special Education is a beautiful calling that allows educators to work with some of society’s most vulnerable students. With Franciscan values as our guide, USF Special Education majors are provided the tools and clinical practice to make a difference in the lives of students.”
Support Services at the University of Saint Francis Help Online Students Like You
Dedicated Success Coach
Each online student at the University of Saint Francis is assigned an experienced success coach. Your coach can assist you with resources to complete class projects, help you get in touch with instructors and staff, and connect you with career services.
Smarthinking Tutoring Service
Need a little extra help? Smarthinking is accessible online and offers video tutorials 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Live tutoring or writing sessions are available for any degree program every Sunday through Thursday.
USF Mentoring Program
Find and connect with a USF alumnus and receive one-on-one mentoring in your career or program. Create your profile, get matched, schedule meeting times, and attend training workshops. The program is free and completely online.
“My USF professors knew I was working and there would be days they needed to be flexible with my assignments. The compassion and individual attention USF gives each student became a model for the individual compassion I need to show my students.”
—Amy Frangella, USF M.S.Ed. in Special Education Graduate
