Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education Online

Grow your career and prepare to meet the needs of diverse and exceptional learners as a highly effective special education professional.

Apply by: 8/11/25
Start class: 8/25/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Explore our M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education online program

Our Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education online program at TAMIU is designed for educators who are focused on rewarding opportunities serving individuals with mild to severe disabilities through adaptive services and programs. Learn to apply the tools, technology and experience that help you increase your impact on the academic achievements of special education students in a variety of curricular leadership roles.

100% online coursework in this program strengthens your problem-solving, decision-making and instructional leadership abilities in the development and support of curriculum used in special education. Develop skills in applying specialized classroom and behavior management techniques as well collaborating and consulting with families, school personnel and community members in educational settings.

This online special education program curriculum emphasizes practical application of advanced pedagogy, research, assessment and coaching to improve the learning experience. Specialization courses for this special education master’s program include Teaching Diverse & Exceptional Learners, Classroom & Behavior Management of Exceptional Children, and Collaborate & Consult in Educational Settings. Two courses can apply toward Educational Diagnostician certification.

**This program is eligible for the TEACH Grant.

In this master of science in special education online program, you will:

  • Synthesize and analyze current research to develop curriculum and instructional models
  • Apply evidence-based teaching practices and methodologies
  • Enhance instruction based on the synthesis, analysis, assessment and evaluation of data to ensure culturally competent teaching and learning
In this master of science in special education online program, you will:+
  • Synthesize and analyze current research to develop curriculum and instructional models
  • Apply evidence-based teaching practices and methodologies
  • Enhance instruction based on the synthesis, analysis, assessment and evaluation of data to ensure culturally competent teaching and learning
+
+

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 As few as 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.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-872-8712

Call 844-872-8712

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

Tuition for the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education 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 C&I – Special Education $367 $ $12,111

Out-of-State Tuition:

Program Per Credit Hour Per Program*
M.S. in C&I – Special Education $1,030 $33,990

*Tuition subject to change.

Tuition breakdown:

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

Calendar

Check out the schedule for this online degree

The M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education program 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
Summer I5/19/255/5/255/12/255/16/257/5/25
Summer II7/7/256/23/256/30/257/7/258/22/25
Fall I8/25/258/11/258/18/258/22/2510/10/25
Fall II10/20/2510/3/2510/15/2510/17/2512/9/25
Spring I1/20/261/2/261/15/261/16/263/7/26

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 8/11/25
Class Starts 8/25/25

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

Apply Now

Admissions

Learn about our streamlined admission process

Applying for the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education 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 GraduateSchool@tamiu.edu

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

Take a look at the online curriculum for special education

Curriculum for the master of science in special education online program is comprised of 11 courses (33 credit hours). Students are required to take six core courses, which include a fixed first course (EDCI 5313: Foundations of Curriculum) and a capstone (EDCI 5317: Evaluation of Curriculum & Instruction); and five specialization courses.

Expand All
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide a historical and conceptual foundation in the discipline of curriculum and instruction for those beginning their graduate work. It will cover the historical and philosophical beginnings of the traditional content taught in the public school systems in the U.S., from pre-kindergarten through completion of the academic core of post-secondary schooling. Examination of key components of the purpose and methods of instruction will punctuate the historical context to identify specific C&I elements in some of the following eras: ancient and pre-modern contributions, Pre-Colonial and Colonial American schooling, early foundations of instruction in the U.S., implications of modern C&I, and trends in post-modern C&I. A major element of the course will be the development of a research topic and subsequent student project focusing on the topic. Prerequisite: Graduate standing Fixed 1st Course
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Engage in critical analysis of education’s place in today’s rapidly changing local and global society with a focus on comprehending education from historic, philosophic, social and cultural perspectives and the impact of those perspectives on current practice. Evaluate curricular and instructional perspectives and ways of viewing educational history from a theoretically informed lens. Critically examine the practices and policies used in schooling to enact decisions on curricular reforms in schooling with a critical understanding of diversity, social inequity, and equal educational opportunities. Pre-requisites: Graduate Standing
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A thorough treatment of various standard, research-based techniques for evaluation of instruction (i.e., authentic assessments, alternative assessments, qualitative and quantitative testing methods, and non-specific measurement methods). In addition, this course explores the concepts behind assessment, identifies various assessment tools, and incorporates models of assessment appropriate for a variety of instructional settings. Prerequisite: Graduate standing Fixed last course
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A general survey of theories of learning as they apply to the modern classroom. The course is designed to acquaint the teacher with major historical and modern theories and their proponents of how children learn together, with implications for the schools in modern society. Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the competencies required for critical understanding, evaluation and utilization of published educational research. The course addresses quantitative and qualitative research methods. Topics include problem formulation and refinement; research design; sampling; measurement and data collection; data-analysis techniques; and the inference process.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses teacher leadership in the context of advancing the expertise and leadership of peers, thereby expanding the teacher-leader’s sphere of influence beyond the walls of the classroom. Teachers explore mentoring and coaching models designed to promote the professional growth of their colleagues. They learn and apply skills for mentoring novice teachers and for engaging in coaching relationships with peers at all stages of the teacher-development cycle. Various forms of collaboration with colleagues are addressed and diversity, as well as interpersonal and communication skills, are emphasized. Prerequisite: Graduate standing
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course examines educational assessment; issues involving reliability, validity, and bias; construction of different types of tests, performance assessments, formal and informal assessment, and portfolios for specific purposes; use of assessment data for defined purposes; and best practices in educational assessment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focus will be on legal issues relating to mild disabilities. Research topics in specified Supreme Court cases will be required. Important aspects of IDEA will be discussed. The educational focus will be on inclusion within the mainstream program, and cooperative service programs involving regular and special education teachers, consultative teaching, and content mastery programs. May be taken concurrently with EDSE 5305. Prerequisites: EDSE 5305.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focus will be on legal issues relating to moderate, severe and profound disabilities. Research topics in specified Supreme Court case will be required. Important aspects of IDEA will be discussed. The educational focus will be on resource room and self-contained programs as well as special schools, hospitals or other long-term program. May be taken concurrently with EDSE 5305. Prerequisites: EDSE 5305.
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.

*The maximum grant amount can vary by year. TEACH Grants are available to qualified applicants and require approved recipients to sign a service agreement for certain teaching service obligations for four academic years. If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, the grant will turn into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that must be repaid with all accrued interest from the date of disbursement. For more information, please visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/teach or contact the Texas A&M International University Financial Aid Office.

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