Enhance Your Online Curriculum and Instruction Master’s with a Special Education Focus
Explore how to best meet the needs of a diverse cross-section of students in the online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Special Education program. Designed to align with 21st century learning, the Master in Curriculum and Instruction online program provides you with a deep understanding of the issues related to teaching and learning conditions for children with mild to moderate disabilities.
With a special education concentration, you'll learn traditional, innovative and research-based approaches that support the instructional and transitional needs of children in inclusive classrooms from preschool through high school. The history and legislation of special education at the federal and state levels as they relate to the Education and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) also are examined.
See Yourself Succeed with a Curriculum and Instruction Master’s
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program prepares educators in all settings to be leaders in their field, with a global awareness across cultures and geographies. You'll explore the role of "educational leader" and what that means in both a traditional and non-traditional learning setting. By the end of your program, you'll emerge with a ready-to-implement curriculum, along with a professional portfolio that showcases your abilities as a leader in education.
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program with a concentration in special education includes nine core education courses and three courses specific to special education. Upon completion of the online curriculum and instruction master's program, you will be prepared to:
- Design curriculum that addresses the complex learning situations of today's students through the application of relevant theory that will help inform flexible, adaptable instructional decisions
- Support the needs of learners with different backgrounds, abilities and experiences with targeted, data-informed instructional decisions and with curriculum that incorporates the principles of Universal Design for Learning and other relevant standards
- Design assessment as an integral part of the curriculum that both guides and measures learners and utilizes the data necessary for informed teaching and learning decisions
- Integrate technology in curricular design to enhance teaching and learning that guides students through real-world problem solving by incorporating research-based instructional strategies
- Model educational leadership in implementing positive change for students and colleagues and in creating, sustaining and supporting learning communities that empower you and others in the furtherance of ethical, reflective and culturally competent teaching and learning
- Position yourself as an education professional who promotes learning in any education context and who respects and actively works toward the acceptance and inclusion of all learners
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your Master in Curriculum and Instruction online degree at SNHU include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation.
- Convenience. Attend class when it's convenient for you - online education means 24/7 access.
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your graduate degree in as few as 15 months, with two courses per 10-week term.
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience.
- Minimal requirements. No GMAT or GRE required for admission.
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for tips and career opportunities.
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study.
Licensure Information
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction degree program does not lead to licensure. View disclosure information.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. To apply, simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options. Your counselor can also walk you through the application process, which involves completing a graduate application ($40 fee) and providing undergraduate transcripts.
Candidates must also submit an acknowledgement form and professional resume. Additional forms may be required depending on your background.
Career Outlook
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction is perfect for educators in all settings, including elementary and secondary public and private schools, charter schools and homeschools. Excelling and growing in your career as an educational administrator requires a mix of classroom experience, focus, passion, drive and, of course, education.
Demand for special education teachers will continue to grow as schools focus on the effectiveness of educators and curriculum evaluation and improvement. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth through 2026.*
Please note: Instructional coordinators in public schools may be required to have a teaching license or an education administrator license.
Curriculum
The online curriculum and instruction master's degree with a special education concentration is designed for K-12 educators who are leading in the area of curriculum and instruction. The program includes 12 courses, three of which are focused on special education.
Courses May Include
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EDU
515
The Educator as Leader
Discover the frameworks and approaches used in the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction program. Explore what it means to be an educational leader in today's rapidly changing, multi-cultural education environments and investigate the many traditional and non-traditional facets of contemporary educational leadership. Examine competencies, characteristics, and practices that relate directly to student achievement and are grounded in current professional standards.
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EDU
530
Evidence-Based Research for Education
Learn about the various types and methods of educational research. Examine the value of education focused action research in a variety of learning environments. Develop foundational knowledge and skills to read, interpret, and use data to enable professional growth and improve student learning experience.
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EDU
545
Leadership in Teaching and Learning
Explore educational leadership concepts by focusing on the characteristics and best practices needed to define and increase success in learning. Employ multiple measures to resolve learning challenges utilizing effective communication and collaboration in ways that empower oneself and others to enhance one's role as an educational leader. Learn about legal, ethical, and professional issues existing in today's educational environments that impact effective leadership.
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EDU
570
Curriculum Design 1: Foundations in Curriculum Design
Explore the foundations of curriculum design theories and principles used in various learning environments. Apply Understanding by Design (UbD), Differentiated Instruction (DI), and the standards of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), for designing and developing a functional and effective curriculum that matches all students' learning needs.
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EDU
615
Curriculum Design 2: Differentiated Instruction
Implement Differentiated Instruction (DI) strategies for all students, especially as they apply to unique learners. Use multiple data points to design curriculum that can be differentiated and aligned to student, state, and national goals and standards by embedding technology, including assistive technology, in teaching and managing students. Examine DI strategies for English Language Learners, students with disabilities and learning differences, and high performing students as part of a heterogeneous learning environment.
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EDU
645
Curriculum Design 3: Assessment for Student Learning
Explore assessment theories and practices as integral elements of curriculum and instructional design. Interpret assessment data from multiple sources and use that data to inform curricular choices. Investigate embedding technologies into curriculum to assess and interpret student learning effectiveness as part of the continuous feedback cycle.
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EDU
655
Curriculum Design 4: Emerging Theory and Design
Investigate emerging theories of design and learning in today's increasingly complex technology-enhanced learning environments. Apply theory-based strategies for providing curriculum and instruction in traditional, alternative, virtual, and augmented learning settings.
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EDU
683
Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction
Prepare for the Capstone by developing and focusing scholarship and artifacts for the portfolio, including a personalized educational philosophy statement. Drawing from the technology-focused, inclusion-centric themes explored throughout the program, draft an evidence-based curriculum proposal that addresses a self-identified achievement gap.
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EDU
690
Capstone in Curriculum and Instruction
Integrate previous coursework and demonstrate the mastery of knowledge and skills developed throughout the program. Synthesize prior learning in order to develop a complete curriculum in an area of interest for utilization, along with the portfolio, in illustrating a cohesive educational philosophy and showcasing growth as an educational leader.
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Total Credits: 36
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Program Outcomes
- Design curriculum that addresses the complex learning situations of today’s students through the application of relevant theory that will help inform flexible, adaptable instructional decisions
- Support the needs of learners with different backgrounds, abilities, and experiences with targeted, data-informed instructional decisions and with curriculum that incorporates the principles of Universal Design for Learning and other relevant standards
- Design assessment as an integral part of the curriculum that both guides and measures learners and that utilizes the data necessary for informed teaching and learning decisions
- Integrate technology in curricular design to enhance teaching and learning that guides students through real world problem solving by incorporating research-based instructional strategies
- Model educational leadership in implementing positive change for students and colleagues and in creating, sustaining, and supporting learning communities that empower oneself and others in the furtherance of ethical, reflective, and culturally competent teaching and learning
- Position oneself as an education professional who promotes learning in any education context and who respects and actively works toward the acceptance and inclusion of all learners
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
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Online Graduate Programs
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Per Course*
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Per Credit Hour*
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Degree/Certificates
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$1,881 |
$627 |
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)
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$1,410 |
$470 |
*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed Annually.
Additional Costs:
$40 Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (viewed online December 13, 2017). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.