Special education MEd and teaching licensures
Learn from leaders in the field of special education
Become a special education teacher for young people from birth to age 21.
DRIVEN to to prepare the next generation
At the University of Minnesota, we are DRIVEN to to prepare the next generation of scientist-practitioners to be:
Data-based collaborators who deliver
Robust, rigorous, relentless instruction to address
Individual differences and needs, adding
Value to student outcomes using
Evidence-based practices and believing
No problem is unsolvable
IDEAL problem solving model
Our program is designed by leaders in the field of special education who train our teacher candidates, using the IDEAL Problem Solving Model to:
Identify the problem
Define the problem
Explore alternative solutions
Apply solutions
Look at the effects of solutions
Master's degrees and teaching licensures
Academic behavior strategist MEd and licensure
The academic behavior strategist (ABS) license program leads to eligibility to obtain an initial teaching license or an additional license added to another teaching license to expand the age range and/or types of students a teacher is licensed to teach. An ABS license qualifies you to work with students in K-12 schools or age 18-21 transition programs who may have a broad range of mild to moderate disabilities in the following areas:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Developmental disabilities
- Emotional and behavioral Disorders
- Learning disabilities
- Other health disparities
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In the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program, you'll receive the training you need to teach students, birth through age 21, with diverse backgrounds and hearing levels. Our graduates earn the qualifications needed to apply for licensure in the state of Minnesota as an initial or additional license and the skills needed to improve education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and their families. You’ll leave the program ready to incorporate best practices into teaching, help students develop their identities, and promote respect and equity for ASL/English and cultural diversity.
Early childhood special education MEd and licensure
Help young children with developmental delays and disabilities succeed. In the ECSE program, you'll prepare to teach young children, birth through age six, with a variety of developmental delays and disabilities. This program leads to eligibility to obtain an ECSE license as either an initial teaching license or an additional license added to another teaching license to expand the age range and/or types of students a teacher is licensed to teach. You'll leave the program with the skills to: identify the need for early intervention; provide research-based services to children and their families in their home.
Related programs
Special education minor for master's students
Complement your master’s degree with the knowledge and skills to improve the way your field supports people with disabilities by earning a graduate minor in special education. Students wishing to pursue this graduate minor must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at the University of Minnesota.
Online autism spectrum disorder certificate
While the online autism spectrum disorder (ASD) certificate does not prepare you to be a licensed teacher in the field of ASD, it does provide a focused set of expertise and an additional credential that may be embedded into other teacher licensure or MEd degree programs with minimal additional coursework.
Becoming a special education teacher
If you already hold a bachelor's degree, you may choose to just pursue a teaching license or a teaching license with a master of education (MEd) degree. Most of our students choose to obtain their MEd at the same time as their license. However, those who already hold a Minnesota teaching license may obtain a teaching license in another area in fewer credits. Most still see a benefit to also obtaining an MEd degree if they do not already hold a masters degree.
Most of our graduate classes are offered in the evenings, with several offered fully online, to allow many students to continue to work while enrolled.
MEd requirements
A minimum of 30 credits are required for completion of the MEd degree. If the MEd is being combined with an initial teaching license, all degree requirements are included in the licensure requirements. If the MEd is being combined with an additional license for someone who already holds a teaching license, depending on the licensure you choose, an additional 8 - 17 credits may be required, including a final paper/project. Prior equivalent coursework may be substituted for some degree requirements (maximum of 12 credits). You and your advisor will review specific requirements once you are admitted.
Licensure requirements
Course requirements vary by licensure program. Depending on the licensure you choose and whether or not this is your first Minnesota teaching license, 38-54.5 credits may be required. You and your advisor will review specific requirements once you are admitted.
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Tuition and Financial Aid page for information on tuition.
Funding
Project I-LEAD
Project I-LEAD helps fund future special educators or school psychologists interested in supporting students with severe learning disabilities in schools. Get more information on Project I-LEAD.
TEACH Grants
TEACH Grants are part of a federal program to provide financial support to students who will teach in a high need area at a low-income school for at least four years. Application information is available from Onestop on their grants and waivers page.
Scholarships, fellowships and awards
- Special education scholarships, fellowships, and awards
- College of Education and Human Development awards
Financial aid
Visit OneStop Student Services for more information on available financial aid.