About this program

The master of education (M.Ed.) in teaching students with disabilities degree program is designed to develop professional educators committed to careers that involve children, youth and adults with disabilities. Graduates are prepared to work as special education teachers, education consultants and educational technology specialists.

The traditional master’s program track is appropriate for teachers with a teaching certificate in either general or special education who wish to develop advanced knowledge and skills. The degree track also may be suitable for individuals who are not teachers but have other experience in the disabilities field and wish to pursue an advanced degree only. For previously certified teachers, the traditional degree track also may be a path to a second certificate in special education.

The master’s plus certification program (MPCP) is appropriate for individuals who seek to acquire advanced knowledge and skills while also obtaining their first teaching certificate.

Current UD undergraduate students can be considered for admission to the 4+1 B.S. in early childhood education/M.Ed. in teaching students with disabilities; the 4+1 B.S. in K-8 teacher education/M.Ed. in teaching students with disabilities; or the 4+1 B.S. in a secondary education major/M.Ed. in teaching students with disabilities.

The graduate certificate in teaching students with disabilities supports teachers to learn and apply specialized instructional and curricular practices aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children’s professional educator standards and requirements established by the State of Delaware for acquiring additional teaching certifications.

This certificate offers two options.

• Teachers with prior certification as a general education teacher or those working under emergency certification in general education and teaching students with disabilities in the elementary or secondary grades will complete the teaching students with disabilities: K-12 option.
• Teachers with prior certification as teachers of students with disabilities or those working under emergency certification teaching students with autism and severe disabilities will complete the teaching students with disabilities: autism/severe disabilities option.

The certificate provides a formal graduate academic credential that recognizes completion of 15 credits of master’s level coursework that may be applied to the M.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities.

Program Concentrations:

• Elementary (K-6) special education 
• Secondary (7-12) special education 
• Autism/severe disabilities