Master of Education in Special Education (MEd)
November 25, 2014 2025-02-25 13:06Master of Education in Special Education (MEd)
Empower Students with Diverse Needs
Master of Education in Special Education (MEd)
Train to teach and support students with exceptional learning needs across a range of developmental and educational settings
100% Online
Accreditation
4 Emphases
Master of Education in Special Education (MEd)
Our nationally accredited, 100% online graduate programs in Special Education are designed to equip you to provide effective, evidence-based instruction for learners with special educational needs in general education and special education settings.
The curriculum is designed to teach you to understand the complexities of issues related to the challenges often faced by persons with disabilities. Students acquire and develop skills requisite for providing an effective delivery of services needed to assist such persons as they strive for success in inclusive settings.
Learning experiences are structured in a way that helps you develop a comprehensive knowledge of the multifaceted nature of special education.
The MEd in Special Education program allows pre-service and in-service teachers to select one or more emphases. These areas of study can be aligned so that the program meets specific endorsement requirements on your teaching license. The four areas of emphasis include: Special Education-General Curriculum, K-12; Special Education-Adapted Curriculum (K-12); Early Childhood Special Education (birth to 5); and Special Education Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Mission and Program Goals
Mission
The MEd in Special Education Program is dedicated to preparing special educators to make positive contributions in the lives of persons with disabilities and to serve as positive change agents in their work settings.
Goal #1 – Issues and Dimensions of Disabilities
Graduates will articulate a comprehensive understanding of current research, issues, and trends in the field of special education. In addition, graduates will apply in-depth knowledge of the legal-regulatory, biological, psychological, and sociological (including culture, SES, age, and gender) dimensions of disability when engaging in responsibilities expected of a special educator.
Goal #2 – Assessment and Planning
2a. Graduates will possess the knowledge and skills to assess, interpret, synthesize, and summarize the abilities and needs of individuals with disabilities using appropriate formal and informal assessment measures in applicable areas (including academic, functional, adaptive, social-emotional, physical-motor, and communication skills—respective of area of emphasis).
2b. Using informal and formal assessment data, graduates will design individualized educational plans (IEPs) that take into account the comprehensive needs (including academic, functional, adaptive, social-emotional, physical-motor, and communication skills—respective areas of emphasis) of individuals with disabilities.
Goal #3 – Classroom and Behavior Management
Graduates will implement data-based special and general educational programs that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities using knowledge of standards of practice, techniques, and principles in the areas of classroom and behavior management—respective areas of concentration).
Goal #4 – Instruction and Curriculum
Graduates will implement data-based, special education instruction and curricula that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities using knowledge of standards of practice, techniques, and principles in the areas of instruction and curriculum—respective areas of concentration).
Goal #5 – Collaboration
Graduates will employ effective communication and problem-solving skills in collaboration with professionals and families in order to enhance the educational opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities
Upon the successful completion of our state-approved program, you may apply for your teaching license in another state through reciprocity, which may or may not result in additional requirements based on your state’s Department of Education regulations.
MEd in Special Education Emphases
You have the opportunity to customize your degree by selecting an emphasis that aligns with the Virginia Department of Education endorsement area best suited to your professional and personal needs.
General Curriculum Emphasis
Prepare to create inclusive and empowering learning environments for students with mild to moderate disabilities in K-12 classrooms. This emphasis equips you with evidence-based strategies to support diverse learners, helping them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally within the general education curriculum. You’ll gain the skills needed to collaborate with general education teachers, adapt curriculum to meet individual needs, and advocate for student success in inclusive settings.
- Focus: Mild to moderate disabilities, including learning disabilities, ADHD, and behavioral challenges.
- Setting: Inclusive K-12 classrooms where students access the general curriculum alongside their peers.
- Outcome: Eligible for an Endorsement in Special Education General Curriculum (K-12).
Adapted Curriculum Emphasis
Make a transformative impact on the lives of students with moderate to severe disabilities by specializing in adapted education. This emphasis focuses on teaching functional and life skills, as well as alternative learning strategies, to help students overcome significant challenges. You’ll learn to develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs), ensuring students receive the tailored support they need to grow academically, socially, and personally.
- Focus: Moderate to severe disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities and Autism, requiring intensive, personalized support.
- Setting: Specialized or adapted K-12 classrooms designed to address unique learning and developmental needs.
- Outcome: Eligible for an Endorsement in Special Education Adapted Curriculum (K-12) and a Career and Technical Education – Transition and Special Needs Add-On Endorsement.
Early Childhood Special Education Emphasis
Become a champion for young children with developmental delays or disabilities by focusing on early intervention and individualized instruction. This emphasis prepares you to work with children from birth to age five during their most critical developmental years, supporting them in reaching key milestones. You’ll collaborate with families, caregivers, and specialists to design and implement effective strategies that set a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
- Focus: Infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children (birth to age five) with developmental delays or disabilities.
- Setting: Early intervention programs and preschool settings focused on developmental support and family-centered care.
- Outcome: Eligible for an Endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education (Birth – Five).
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Emphasis
Advocate for and empower students who are Deaf or hard of hearing by creating accessible and inclusive learning environments. This emphasis provides specialized training in communication strategies, including sign language and assistive technologies, to help students succeed academically and socially. You’ll develop the skills needed to foster independence, self-advocacy, and confidence in students as they navigate their educational journey and prepare for life beyond the classroom.
- Focus: Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing, requiring communication tools and tailored instruction.
- Setting: K-12 classrooms and specialized environments designed to support communication and accessibility needs.
- Outcome: Eligible for an Endorsement in Special Education Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12).
Curriculum and Resources
2024-25 Academic Year Information
Prerequisite (3)
SPED 600 — Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education (3)*
* SPED 600 or its equivalent undergraduate course is required for all students seeking eligibility for a provisional special education teaching license in Virginia.
Core (12 hours)
Capstone or Internship Option (3-6)
- SPED 681 — Action Research Capstone (3)
- SPED 696-697 — Internship in Special Education – General Curriculum (3-6)
- SPED 691-692 — Internship in Early Childhood Special Education (3-6)
- SPED 698-699 — Internship – Adapted Curriculum (3-6)
To be eligible for a teaching license in Special Education students must complete two internship placements at the preschool, elementary, and/or secondary levels. Internships at the graduate level are analogous to student teaching at the undergraduate level. An internship is required only for those seeking their initial licensure through the University of Lynchburg.
Master of Education in Special Education — Special Education General Curriculum
Required Courses (18 hours):
- SPED 601 — Designing and Implementing Individualized Education Plans (3)
- SPED 606 — Characteristics of Students with Disabilities Accessing General Curriculum (3)
- SPED 616 — Assessment and Evaluation (3)
- SPED 635 — Transitioning to Adult Life for People with Disabilities (3)
- SPED 645 — Instructional Strategies in Mathematics and Science (3)
- RDNG 625 — Survey of Effective Reading Methods (3)
Total Hours Required: 33
Master of Education in Special Education — Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Required Courses (15 hours):
- EDHD 601 — Diverse Developmental Pathways in Early Childhood (3)
- SPED 651 — Designing Comprehensive, Family-Centered Intervention (3)
- SPED 653 — Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Instructional Programming for Preschool (3)
- SPED 660 — Assessment of Young Children with Developmental Delays (3)
- SPED 662 — Medical and Therapeutic Interventions for Children with Disabilities (3)
Elective (3 hours):
- EDHD 601 — Diverse Developmental Pathways in Early Childhood (3)
- SPED 605 — Characteristics of Students with Disabilities Needing Significant Academic and Functional Supports (3)
- SPED 606 — Characteristics of Students with Disabilities Accessing General Curriculum (3)
- SPED 666 — Adapted Instructional Methods and Strategies (3)
- RDNG 625 — Survey of Effective Reading Methods (3)
- RDNG 640 — Strategies for Teaching Phonics, Spelling and Vocabulary (3)
Total Hours Required: 33
Some courses in the ECSE program are offered in conjunction with Radford University as part of the VDOE ECSE consortium.
Master of Education in Special Education — Special Education Adapted Curriculum
Required Courses (18 hours):
- SPED 601 — Designing and Implementing Individualized Education Plans (3)
- SPED 605 — Characteristics of Students with Disabilities Needing Significant Academic and Functional Supports (3)
- SPED 616 — Assessment and Evaluation (3)
- SPED 635 — Transitioning to Adult Life for People with Disabilities (3)
- SPED 665 — Individualized Supports and Specialized Care of Students with Significant Support Needs (3)
- SPED 666 — Adapted Instructional Methods and Strategies (3)
Total Hours Required: 33
Master of Education in Special Education - Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Required Courses (18 hours):
- EDHH 600
- EDHH 601
- EDHH 602
- EDHH 603
- SPED 601 — Designing and Implementing Individualized Education Plans (3)
- SPED 616 — Assessment and Evaluation (3)
Sample Course Schedule
The suggested course schedule allows you to meet all SPED-specific requirements for your provisional license in two years. Additional professional studies courses may be required depending on your previous coursework.
FALL YEAR 1 | SPRING YEAR 1 | SUMMER YEAR 1 |
General Curriculum SPED 601 SPED 606 | General Curriculum SPED 616 SPED 645 | General Curriculum SPED 635 |
Adapted Curriculum SPED 601 SPED 665 | Adapted Curriculum SPED 616 SPED 605 | Adapted Curriculum SPED 635 |
Early Childhood SPED SPED 651 SPED 662 | Early Childhood SPED SPED 620 SPED 653 | Early Childhood SPED No class |
Deaf and Hard of Hearing SPED 601 EDHH 601 | Deaf and Hard of Hearing EDHH 602 SPED 620 SPED 616 | Deaf and Hard of Hearing EDHH 600 |
FALL YEAR 2 | SPRING YEAR 2 | SUMMER YEAR 2 |
General Curriculum SPED 625A SPED 625 | General Curriculum SPED 620 SPED 675 | |
Adapted Curriculum SPED 625A SPED 666 | Adapted Curriculum SPED 620 SPED 675 | |
Early Childhood SPED SPED 625B SPED 601 | Early Childhood SPED SPED 660 EDHD 675 | |
Deaf and Hard of Hearing SPED 625 SPED 670 | Deaf and Hard of Hearing EDHH 675 SPED 681 | Deaf and Hard of Hearing EDHH 603 |
MEd in Special Education Application Process
Application Deadlines
- Summer semester: May 1
- Fall semester: July 31
- Spring term: Nov. 30
How to Apply
- Complete the online application.
- Submit an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended.
- Submit a brief (approximately 2 double-spaced pages) essay on the following topic:
- Why you want to pursue the Master of Education in Special Education (MEd) degree and/or how this degree will assist you in achieving your career goals.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
Prerequisites for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Emphasis
- Four classes of ASL or
- Qualifying score of 2+ on American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or
- Intermediate on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview: ASL (SLPI)
Learn more about the application process if you are one of the following:
- International student.
- Student seeking a second master’s degree.
- Non-degree seeking graduate student.
Master of Education in Special Education (MEd) Faculty
Lucinda (Cindi) Spaulding, PhD
Andrew Bruce, PhD
Randall Dunn, EdD
Lucinda (Cindi) Spaulding, PhD
Andrew Bruce, PhD
Randall Dunn, EdD

CAEP Accountability Measures
- Measure 1: Completer Impact and Effectiveness
- Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement
- Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Program Completion
- Measure 4: Ability of Completers to be Hired in Education Positions for Which They Have Been Prepared
Title II Report Cards
- 2022-2023 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2021-2022 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2020-2021 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2019-2020 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2018-2019 Title II Program Report [PDF]
Licensure and Certification
Per federal regulations from the U.S. Department of Education and CAEP, we must disclose whether our educational programs are eligible for state credentialing such as certification or licensure. The University of Lynchburg has been approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education to offer 11 initial licensure programs at the undergraduate level. If you gain licensure in Virginia, it can lead to reciprocal licensure in other states and jurisdictions. The teacher education program at the University of Lynchburg can assist you in obtaining the following types of licenses:- Elementary Education (PreK – 6th grade): Elementary Education (BS)
- Secondary Education (6th – 12th grades): English Education (BA), History and Social Studies Education (BA), Mathematics Education (BS), Biology Education (BS), Chemistry Education (BA), Earth Science Education (BA)
- Designated Discipline Education (PreK–12th grade): Health and Physical Education (BS)
Reciprocal Licensure and Other State Requirements
Educators who are licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible for reciprocal licensure in more than 45 states across the U.S. However, it is important to note that some states may require additional temporary, testing, or other requirements that educators must meet before teaching in that jurisdiction. To determine the necessary steps for teaching outside of Virginia, refer to the state reciprocity information or contact the Department of Education in each state.
As a Lynchburg MEd student, you'll benefit from:
Graduate Tuition
Below is an overview of the cost of the program:
The 40% Aspiring Special Education Discount applies to all emphasis areas and is available to all current and aspiring educators and paraprofessionals pursuing an MEd in Special Education.
Master of Education in Special Education (MEd)
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Cost Per Credit Hour: $333 (40% Discount)
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Credit Hours: 33
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Estimated Cost of Completion: $19,470
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Estimated Cost of Completion: $11,682 (40% Discount)