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Online Special Education Programs at KU

Our online special education programs help guide educators who support students with disabilities as they work to achieve their full potential. They are leaders and advocates—educators, other professionals and family members—who must understand the unique abilities and support needs of persons with disabilities. Currently, 13 percent of all public school students are eligible for special education services,1 and demand for special education teachers continues to outpace the availability of trained special educators.2

Online graduate study through the University of Kansas School of Education can prepare you to enter or advance your career in this in-demand field. Our special education graduate programs have been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #1 among such programs in the nation (among public universities),3 and in this department you'll learn from faculty members who are internationally acclaimed as academics and as educators who adeptly balance research, policy and practice.

Through applied experiences and case-based learning, you'll build a toolkit of special education resources and techniques with true real-world application that will help you make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities, their families and others. KU offers a range of online master's degree, graduate certificate and licensure endorsement programs in special education for students interested in teaching, research and professional service related to children, adolescents and adults with disabilities.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Leadership in Special and Inclusive Education
  • High Incidence Disabilities
  • Secondary Special Education and Transition

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Gain the foundational and advanced knowledge and skills you need to serve students identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Content across these special education programs emphasizes evidence-based interventions that have been proven effective for learners with ASD, and our expert faculty will teach you to identify student instructional and support needs and to assess the appropriate interventions to improve communication, decrease problem behavior, teach academic skills and promote social-emotional development in a variety of settings.

Which online graduate program in ASD is right for you?

  1. I want a master's degree to focus my professional career as a specialized ASD educator or service professional.
    Explore the online master's in ASD

  2. I already have a master's degree or am not ready for a full master's program, but I want to be better equipped to work with children with ASD in my current career or as an advocate.
    Explore the online graduate certificate in ASD

Leadership in Special and Inclusive Education

Whether you are an educator, administrator, principal, director, other school staff, concerned family member or an advocate, this special education graduate certificate program prepares you with a deep understanding of special education policy and law, while equipping you with the skills necessary to identify and remove barriers to inclusive policy, principles and practice.

Explore the online graduate certificate in leadership in special and inclusive education

High Incidence Disabilities

These programs provide you with a big-picture view of the history and context of special education in the United States, as well as current best practices and methodologies you can use to accommodate students with high incidence disabilities in your classroom today. You'll learn to support students by collaborating with families, paraeducators and other service providers through Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings, and you'll sharpen your teaching and advocacy ability through its emphasis on case studies and simulations with real-world application.

Which online graduate program in high incidence disabilities is right for you?

  1. I want a master's degree, and I am a current teacher who would like to work as a special education teacher or assist other teachers within the classroom.
    Explore the online master's in high incidence disabilities teacher track

  2. I want a master's degree, and I am a consultant, advocate or other interested party in the field of special education who would like to apply what I learn outside of the classroom.
    Explore the online master's in high incidence disabilities non-teacher track

  3. I already have a master's degree or am not ready for a full master's program, but I am a current teacher seeking a subject matter licensure endorsement to transition to a career in special education.
    Explore the online high incidence disabilities licensure endorsement-only track

Secondary Special Education and Transition

This program is designed to prepare secondary special educators to implement, develop and sustain evidence-based transition practices and programs. You will learn to utilize age-appropriate transition assessment results to guide a collaborative, person-centered transition planning process; to develop educational and work-based learning experiences; and to facilitate interagency collaboration. Through hands-on, real-world projects, you'll acquire resources, strategies and tools that you can take back to your classroom and community. Which online graduate program in secondary special education and transition is right for you?

  1. I want a master’s degree to enhance my ability to lead the transition process for individuals in my classroom, school or other professional setting.
    Explore the online master's in secondary special education and transition
  2. I already have a master's degree or am not ready for a full master's program, but I would like to learn relevant transition strategies and best practices.
    Explore the online graduate certificate in secondary special education and transition
Autism Spectrum Disorder

Gain the foundational and advanced knowledge and skills you need to serve students identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Content across these special education programs emphasizes evidence-based interventions that have been proven effective for learners with ASD, and our expert faculty will teach you to identify student instructional and support needs and to assess the appropriate interventions to improve communication, decrease problem behavior, teach academic skills and promote social-emotional development in a variety of settings.

Which online graduate program in ASD is right for you?

  1. I want a master's degree to focus my professional career as a specialized ASD educator or service professional.
    Explore the online master's in ASD

  2. I already have a master's degree or am not ready for a full master's program, but I want to be better equipped to work with children with ASD in my current career or as an advocate.
    Explore the online graduate certificate in ASD
Leadership in Special and Inclusive Education

Whether you are an educator, administrator, principal, director, other school staff, concerned family member or an advocate, this special education graduate certificate program prepares you with a deep understanding of special education policy and law, while equipping you with the skills necessary to identify and remove barriers to inclusive policy, principles and practice.

Explore the online graduate certificate in leadership in special and inclusive education

High Incidence Disabilities

These programs provide you with a big-picture view of the history and context of special education in the United States, as well as current best practices and methodologies you can use to accommodate students with high incidence disabilities in your classroom today. You'll learn to support students by collaborating with families, paraeducators and other service providers through Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings, and you'll sharpen your teaching and advocacy ability through its emphasis on case studies and simulations with real-world application.

Which online graduate program in high incidence disabilities is right for you?

  1. I want a master's degree, and I am a current teacher who would like to work as a special education teacher or assist other teachers within the classroom.
    Explore the online master's in high incidence disabilities teacher track

  2. I want a master's degree, and I am a consultant, advocate or other interested party in the field of special education who would like to apply what I learn outside of the classroom.
    Explore the online master's in high incidence disabilities non-teacher track

  3. I already have a master's degree or am not ready for a full master's program, but I am a current teacher seeking a subject matter licensure endorsement to transition to a career in special education.
    Explore the online high incidence disabilities licensure endorsement-only track
Secondary Special Education and Transition

This program is designed to prepare secondary special educators to implement, develop and sustain evidence-based transition practices and programs. You will learn to utilize age-appropriate transition assessment results to guide a collaborative, person-centered transition planning process; to develop educational and work-based learning experiences; and to facilitate interagency collaboration. Through hands-on, real-world projects, you'll acquire resources, strategies and tools that you can take back to your classroom and community. Which online graduate program in secondary special education and transition is right for you?

  1. I want a master’s degree to enhance my ability to lead the transition process for individuals in my classroom, school or other professional setting.
    Explore the online master's in secondary special education and transition
  2. I already have a master's degree or am not ready for a full master's program, but I would like to learn relevant transition strategies and best practices.
    Explore the online graduate certificate in secondary special education and transition
Admissions Requirements
Review the necessary admissions requirements for a graduate program from the Department of Special Education.
View Requirements
Financial Aid Options
Learn more about your options for financing your graduate education.
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Important Dates

Dec
13
Application Deadline

December 13
Spring 2020 Term

Jan
06
Next Start

January 6
Spring 2020 Term

Apr
17
Application Deadline

April 17
Summer 2020 Term

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Sources:

  1. Retrieved on September 26, 2018, from nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgg.asp
  2. Retrieved on September 26, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm#tab-6
  3. Retrieved on March 19, 2019, from usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/university-of-kansas-155317/overall-rankings