Attention: Concordia University-Portland M.Ed. Students
In partnership with Concordia Portland, we have developed a preferred teach-out partnership for Master of Education (M.Ed.) students. If you are currently in a M.Ed. program at Concordia Portland, you do not need to apply to Concordia Nebraska. For details on this seamless transistion, visit the Concordia Transfer Guarantee page.
The online special education master’s degree program from Concordia University, Nebraska equips educators with skills and strategies to apply effective behavior management techniques and differentiated instruction strategies to reach every student in the classroom and help them achieve their fullest potential. Our program explores behavior management, inclusive instructional methods and assessment techniques to teach you how to successfully create and lead an inclusive K–12 classroom. Through our master’s in special education online program, you will learn how to create effective differentiated instructional strategies for students with mild to moderate learning, cognitive, mental and physical disabilities.
With a master’s in special education, you can apply your knowledge of behavior intervention, differentiation and classroom management strategies to the general education classroom to teach a diverse student population. You will have an opportunity to work collaboratively with families, school psychologists, counselors, administrators and general education teachers to develop educational plans that help students succeed. With a foundation of an M.Ed in Special Education and an additional special education endorsement, you can further expand your career opportunities to include a wide variety of positions in the school system, or move into the private sector with community based opportunities working with students with special needs. The significant need for special education teachers across the country and the flexibility the degree and endorsements allow, open a wide variety of career options for students.
Embedded throughout the program, you will actively engage in the practice of educating exceptional students, and the implementation of educational policy and research collaboration. Designed by experienced special education practitioners, our master’s in special education online program also teaches you key topics such as:
- The foundations of special education and inclusive practices
- Current issues and legal aspects of special education
- Behavior management in inclusive settings
- Instructional strategies for students with mild and moderate disabilities
- Outcome-based instructional methods
- Assessment of diverse learners
- Psychological fundamentals of teaching and learning
Through multiple designated special education courses, you will gain practicum experience through five hours of direct contact with students with disabilities plus five hours of observation for each course.
Our online special education master’s degree program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and may be eligible for grants such as the TEACH grant. In addition to this program, you can complete coursework to meet Nebraska requirements for a K–6 endorsement, 7–12 endorsement or K–12 endorsement. The K–6 and 7–12 endorsements are 42 credits each, and the K–12 endorsement consists of 51 credits.
Concordia NebraskaSpecial Education Program Options
With one of our three endorsements you can become an expert in the field of special education and fill a much needed teaching role in schools across the country. In addition to the 36-hour M.Ed. in Special Education program, you can complete additional coursework to meet Nebraska requirements for a K–6 endorsement, 7–12 endorsement or K–12 endorsement. The K–6 and 7–12 endorsements are 42 credit hours each, and the K–12 endorsement consists of 51 credit hours.
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Accreditation
NCATE
With a master’s in special education, you can apply your knowledge of behavior intervention, differentiation and classroom management strategies to the general education classroom to teach a diverse student population. With one of our three Special Education endorsements you can become an expert in the field of special education and fill a much needed teaching role in schools across the country. You will have an opportunity to work collaboratively with families, school psychologists, counselors, administrators and general education teachers to develop educational plans that help students succeed. With a foundation of an M.Ed. in Special Education and an additional special education endorsement, you can further expand your career opportunities to include a wide variety of positions in the school system, or move into the private sector with community based opportunities working with students with special needs.
Our online special education degree program does require a practicum. Through multiple designated education courses, you will complete five hours of direct contact with young students with disabilities plus five hours of observation in each course.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there is an acute shortage of special education teachers across the country. Educators with qualifications in special education are in high demand.
A career in special education may be right for you if you are empathetic and an advocate. An inclusive classroom environment is vital to effective special education, so if you are dedicated to making sure that all students, in spite of their abilities, are part of their classroom community, then special education may be the right career path for you. In addition, for general education teachers who wish to enhance their ability to help every student, our master’s degree in special education can help you become an exceptional teacher able to reach and impact every student.
Our program is designed to align with the Nebraska state requirements for special education endorsement but may be beneficial to meet your goals as well. We encourage all from states other than Nebraska to research the requirements of their state as additional coursework could be required.
Concordia NebraskaSpecial Education Core Concepts
The online special education master’s degree program from Concordia University, Nebraska, gives students the broad-based knowledge and hands-on skills needed to create effective, inclusive learning environments for students with varying emotional, mental, physical and learning needs.
Concordia NebraskaSpecial Education: Learning Outcomes
Students will apply knowledge and skills from our coursework in practicum experiences that are required in specific courses
Students will gain knowledge of special education terms, and gain strategies for collaboration, consultation, awareness and empathy for culturally diverse and exceptional children
Students will examine instructional strategies used to meet the needs of all learners, including those with diverse needs in an inclusive classroom setting
Students will be introduced to effective approaches for working with those who have autism spectrum disorder and cognitive or other moderate disabilities
Students will build an understanding of standardized assessments for screening, diagnostics and progress monitoring of all learners
Program Goals
Be able to create a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with disabilities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions and self-determination
Understand how disabilities can interact with development and learning, and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with disabilities in inclusive settings
Use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with disabilities in inclusive settings
Use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions in inclusive settings
Select, adapt and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance the learning of individuals with disabilities in inclusive settings
Collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with disabilities and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with disabilities across a range of learning experiences