Master of Science in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership Online

Advocate for students in special education with a range of social, emotional and physical needs—and the teachers who support them—as a culturally competent, team-oriented and adaptable leader.

Apply by: 1/6/25
Start class: 1/21/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Diversify your professional growth with our online M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership

The M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership online program will boost your credentials as a leader in special education. Develop your expertise to prepare for in-demand positions such as Special Education Department Head or Director.

At TAMIU, you will gain the advanced knowledge and qualifications necessary to guide students and teachers in special education. Broad-based core curriculum covers special education law and ethics, disability evaluation and measurement, and modern research methods. This comprehensive background enables you to implement evidence-based instructional strategies and classroom management techniques for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs. Specialized coursework focuses on education policy; decision-making models; leadership paradigms; and data-informed assessment at the classroom, state and federal levels.

Grow as a leader in special education with enhanced problem-solving and decision-making abilities that will help you navigate the increasingly complex landscape of special education. Plus, finish your master's in SPED online in as few as 12 months with accelerated, 7-week online courses ideal for working professionals.

**This program is eligible for the TEACH Grant.

Graduates of this M.S. in Special Education online program will be able to:

  • Use assessment to make educational decisions for individuals with exceptionalities
  • Integrate scholarly inquiry to select evidence-based strategies to meet the needs of individuals with exceptionalities
  • Demonstrate leadership skills by advocating for individuals with exceptionalities
Graduates of this M.S. in Special Education online program will be able to:+
  • Use assessment to make educational decisions for individuals with exceptionalities
  • Integrate scholarly inquiry to select evidence-based strategies to meet the needs of individuals with exceptionalities
  • Demonstrate leadership skills by advocating for individuals with exceptionalities
+
+

Also available:

Texas A&M International University offers a variety of in-demand online education programs. Explore all of our online education programs.

Total Tuition $12,111*
Duration 12 months
Credit Hours 33

Accreditation

The State of Texas Education Agency

The Texas A&M International University College of Education is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification.

Also available:

Texas A&M International University offers a variety of in-demand online education programs. Explore all of our online education programs.

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 844-872-8712

Call 844-872-8712

Tuition

Check out the affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition

Tuition for the M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership online program is affordable and can be paid by the course. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

In-State Tuition:

The following tuition applies only to Texas residents.

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
M.S. in Special Education – Educational Leadership $367 $ $12,111

Out-of-State Tuition:

Program Per Credit Hour Per Program*
M.S. in Special Education – Educational Leadership $1,030 $33,990

*Tuition subject to change.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $12,111*
Per Credit Hour $367

Calendar

Follow these dates to apply, enroll and start classes

The M.S. in Special Education program with a Specialization in Educational Leadership is delivered online, featuring 7-week courses and six start dates each year. Choose the start date that is best for you.

Graduate Programs Degree Plan

View full calendar  + 

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring I1/21/251/6/251/13/251/17/253/8/25
Spring II3/24/253/10/253/17/253/21/255/9/25
Summer I5/19/255/5/255/12/255/16/257/5/25
Summer II7/7/256/23/256/30/257/7/258/22/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/6/25
Class Starts 1/21/25

Ready to take the next steps toward earning your next degree?

Apply Now

Admissions

You can apply online—start here to find out what’s needed

Applying for the M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership online program is a simple process. Learn more about the admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours
View all admission requirements +

International Transcript Evaluation:

TAMIU does their own foreign credential evaluations. Graduate School does not require third party evaluations nor are obligated to accept the results, or GPA calculations, if an evaluation is submitted. If an applicant submits an official evaluation, the evaluation does not replace official transcripts or certificates of graduation.

Official transcripts from all institutions attended can be sent to:

Texas A&M International University
Graduate School
Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, Suite 223
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, TX 78041
OR
Electronically to [email protected]

**Former TAMIU students DO NOT have to request TAMIU transcripts.

For documents other than transcripts, please upload to your application portal located here. If transcripts are uploaded to the portal, you will be asked to resend all official transcripts by mail or email and will delay the application process.

Have a question? Call us at 844-872-8712.

Courses

Learn more about the courses in our M.S. in special education online program

Curriculum for the M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership online program is comprised of 11 courses (33 credit hours). Students are required to take seven core courses and four specialization courses.

Expand All
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introductory level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes an overview of special education eligibility categories and evidence-based practices for students with disabilities. This content addresses the Texas Special Education Teaching Standards and the Council for Exceptional Children Common Core Standards. Course activities include lectures, case studies, and the evaluation of evidence-based practices. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Fixed 1st Course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an intermediate level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes the history of special education law, provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act, Every Student Succeeds Act, legal trends and issues in special education, and special education professional ethical principles and practice standards guided by the Council for Exceptional Children Common Core Standards. Course activities include lectures, case analysis, and special education legal case briefs. Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introductory level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes the unique culture of disability across the lifespan and the impact of disabilities on an individual across the lifespan. In addition, this course examines characteristics of children and youth with major biological risk conditions and disabilities with a focus on the impact of these conditions on development over time. Course activities include lectures, group discussions and assignments, demonstrating the complexity of development with a disability.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an intermediate level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes descriptive statistics, psychometric properties of a test reliability and validity, interpretation of test scores, norms, scales, and grades, and some of the current controversies in testing. Additional topics such as data management, progress monitoring, test accommodations and modifications, and cultural and linguistic considerations are covered. Focus of attention is on the use of assessment information for making educational decisions. Course activities include lectures, interpretation of scores, and case analysis.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an intermediate level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes the major concepts and techniques of effective classroom and Applied Behavior Analysis for children and youth with disabilities experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties. Course activities include lectures, group discussions and assignments concerning effective classroom management, as well as behavior plan development for students with disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively collaborate and consult with families, school personnel and community members in educational settings. Other topics include team membership, co-teaching, supervision of paraprofessionals, partnerships with families and development of interagency agreements to address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an advanced level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. This course examines the historical, relevant, and timely topics of concern to educators involved in making decisions regarding special education. This content addresses the Texas Special Education Teaching Standards and the Council for Exceptional Children Common Core Standards. Course activities include lectures, debates, and the evaluation of issues and trends in the field of special education. This course may be repeated once when topic changes.
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the effective implementation and assessment of curriculum programs in schools. It explores educational polices specific to the role of educators as curriculum leaders. This course will examine the structures that need to be in place to allow curriculum developers and leaders to work collaboratively.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course provides an overview of several paradigms of learning and their relationship to decision-making models. Students will learn to design & evaluate curriculum, develop instructional materials, assess student learning & measure instructional outcomes.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to teach a practical, step-by-step approach in learning the complex procedures of the assessment process at the local, state and federal levels. The course will analyze and synthesize various aspects of assessment particularly progress monitoring as applied to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, and the increased consideration of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the assessment process. This course examines how students' assessment data drives curriculum implementation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will emphasize the development of communication and collaboration within an organization. Students will have the opportunity to explore and develop strategies that can enhance their ability to effectively and strategically develop a systemic curriculum process.

**The maximum grant amount can vary by year. TEACH Grants are available to qualified applicants who enroll in a TEACH Grant eligible program and require approved recipients to sign a service agreement for certain teaching service obligations. If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, the grant will turn into a loan that must be repaid, with interest. For more information, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach#eligibility or contact the Texas A&M International University Financial Aid Office.

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