For those looking to expand their experience as teachers, particularly as special education experts, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Special Education with a Specialization in Curriculum & Instruction online program. This program is an ideal fit for those eager to advocate for their students and those interested in addressing a wide range of behavioral and academic needs in the classroom. By providing tailored teaching and management strategies alongside practical tools, graduates of this program can approach special education with confidence.
The program explores a variety of topics pertinent to the field, including knowledge of fundamental special education research and laws, behavior management approaches, learning disability assessment and more.
Preparing Future Special Education Leaders
Students in the fully online program take 33 credit hours and can complete the program is as few as 12 months. To be eligible, applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.75 GPA in the final 60 hours of coursework.
Courses last seven weeks at a time. Students take both core courses — such as Evidence-Based Practice for Students with Disabilities and Classroom and Behavior Management of Exceptional Children — and special education specialization courses. A blend of these courses provides students with well-rounded, foundational knowledge in the field.
Why Specialize in Curriculum and Instruction?
The core courses outlined above are augmented with additional specialized courses, such as Advanced Theories for Learning and Collegial Coaching and Mentoring — both ideal for those who wish to take their teaching careers to the next level of mentorship and engagement. TAMIU’s program is tailored not only for teachers but for future leaders and coaches.
As a result, graduates from the TAMIU’s online program are prepared for work in the classroom as well as higher-level roles that involve designing new curricula and working with non-educational institutions to strengthen accessibility. Participants are eligible to apply for Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, which assist them in paying for the program.
Graduates can also be confident in their job security and career stability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, special education teachers earned a median yearly income of $65,910 in 2023.
Improve Exceptional Student Learning Experiences Through Curriculum Reform
Those working in special education already understand that tailored curricula are essential for giving students the most effective experience in the classroom. There are many tools that educators can use in these settings in order to see improved engagement from pupils.
Special Education Journey outlines several of these approaches. A common document involved in the process of curriculum planning is the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a customized education plan that addresses the needs of each pupil based on feedback from a variety of experts that work with the individual.
Curriculum adaptation and modified instruction are further tools often used by special education instructors. Empowered instructors with institutional support to deliver best practices can modify the curriculum to suit students in the room. This may include using different types of aids to assist students who learn better through a variety of means. This also might consist of using different types of support for students whose abilities may prevent them from absorbing information through one standard methodology.
In this regard, assistive technologies can also be a great asset to special education classrooms. Programs like the TAMIU M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Curriculum & Instruction online teach future instructors how these vital technologies work and when to employ them.
Why Empowered Leadership Is Necessary in Special Education Administration
The Ability Challenge (ABC) is a nonprofit that aims to help schools improve their special education instruction via “research-driven services, tools, and technology.” In its case study titled “Building Distributive Leadership in Special Education,” ABC details the experience of working with one school district, identifying the issues it faced, and ways certain challenges apply to the special education sector.
The study found that the district relied on one administrator and a top-down approach to distribute teaching methodologies. Individual case managers were isolated in their roles, which resulted in an overload of work and a lack of communication among leaders and community stakeholders.
Instead, case managers and administrators who use the same set of tools and have a sense of ownership over modified curricula see benefits for both students and teachers. TAMIU’s program provides professionals with a well-rounded, foundational basis of knowledge in special education, curriculum and instruction so graduates can support students and their various needs in a modern, digital world.
Learn more about TAMIU’s online Master of Science in Special Education with a Specialization in Curriculum & Instruction program.
