Education Specialist - Special Education

National University's Education Specialist program in Special Education is designed to help you develop the skills required to assess, plan for and work with gifted and disabled students. Read more about the Education Specialist program in Special Education here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

In the online Education Specialist program in Special Education at National University, you can learn about testing and assessing disabled students, best practices and placement options for exceptional and disabled students, and research-based teaching and behavior management strategies for students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders. The program examines special education law, including No Child Left Behind, IDEA regulations and legislation, and educational mandates for the transition of disabled students. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in scholarly writing and educational research as you build skills for developing curriculum for and working with learning disabled, language disabled, mentally disabled and emotionally disabled students.

What Are the Prerequisites?

If you're considering the Education Specialist program in Special Education, you should have already earned a master's degree from an accredited institution. You should also be interested in working with students who have mental, physical, behavioral or learning disabilities.

What Are the Course Requirements?

The Education Specialist program in Special Education consists of 33 credits. The program includes 18 specialization credits, six foundation credits, six research methods credits and three capstone credits.

Courses for an Education Specialist in Special Education

Course NumberCourse Title
Required Courses
EDU 8000 Foundations for Graduate Study in Education
EDU 8001 Advanced Scholarly Writing
EDR 8203:Research Methods
EDR 8204
OR
EDR 8205
Advanced Qualitative Design and Measurement

Advanced Quantitative Design and Measurement
Specialization Courses
Select six courses from the following:
SE 7000 Introduction to the Exceptional Student
SE 7001Assessment in Special Education
SE 7002Characteristics of Student with Specific Learning Disabilities
SE 7003Characteristics of Students with Emotional and/or Behavioral Disorders
SE 7004Characteristics of Students with Intellectual Disabilities
SE 7005Law in Special Education
SE 7006Teaching Strategies in Special Education
Capstone Course
ED 7053 Education Specialist Capstone Project

What Could I Do After Graduation?

Career Opportunities

The Education Specialist program in Special Education is intended to prepare you to teach special education in a variety of settings. Employment opportunities may be found in public or private K-12 schools, as well as in organizations that work with individuals with disabilities.