Special education is about more than providing services. It's about providing a better future.
The M.A. in Special Education includes Autism Spectrum Disorders, Academic Behavioral Strategist, Developmental Disabilities, and Emotional Behavioral Disorders concentrations. Our program will help you become a skilled professional in a high-demand profession. You’ll learn to customize programs to meet individual needs and serve with compassion. While supporting kids and their families, you’ll motivate students to meet their goals and live a meaningful life. This program will build your knowledge base and refine your skills to assess and educate students with mild to moderate and moderate to severe disabilities in several areas, including Learning Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Other Health Disabilities, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
To focus your experience on your career and passions, choose from one of four program concentrations:
- Academic Behavioral Strategist Concentration
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration
- Developmental Disabilities Concentration
- Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Concentration
If you're not already a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota licensed teacher, you will also need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration.
Program Option(s)
Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist Concentration
Our Academic Behavioral Strategist concentration prepares you to serve K-12 students in a variety of mild to moderate disability categories, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Other Health Disabilities, and Developmental Concentration Disabilities. You’ll be equipped to work in resource rooms and inclusive K-12 settings within public schools. If you're not already a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota licensed teacher, you will also need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration. This additional concentration meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board’s (PELSB) Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, a requirement for all Tier 3 and Tier 4 licensed teachers.
| Deliveries | Blended, and Online |
| Location | St. Paul |
| Credits | 41 |
| Tuition per Credit | $535 |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $21,935* |
Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration
Our Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) concentration prepares you to serve students with ASD from birth to age 21 in a variety of educational settings addressing mild, moderate, and severe needs. If you're not already a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota licensed teacher, you will also need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration. This additional concentration meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board’s (PELSB) Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, a requirement for all Tier 3 and Tier 4 licensed teachers.
| Deliveries | Blended, and Online |
| Location | St. Paul |
| Credits | 41 |
| Tuition per Credit | $535 |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $21,935* |
Special Education: Developmental Disabilities Concentration
Our Developmental Disorders Concentration (DD) prepares you to serve K-12 students in a variety of educational settings addressing mild, moderate, and severe needs who have been identified with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD). With a Minnesota K-12 Developmental Disabilities License, you’ll become adept at implementing and adapting evidence-based instruction methods that will meet the needs of your students with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD) and help them succeed. If you're not already a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota licensed teacher, you will also need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration. This additional concentration meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board’s (PELSB) Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, a requirement for all Tier 3 and Tier 4 licensed teachers.
| Deliveries | Blended, and Online |
| Location | St. Paul |
| Credits | 41 |
| Tuition per Credit | $535 |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $21,935* |
Special Education: Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Concentration
Our Emotional and Behavioral Disorders concentration prepares you to serve K-12 students who have been identified with emotional and behavioral disorders in a variety of educational settings addressing mild, moderate, and severe needs. If you're not already a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota licensed teacher, you will also need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration. This additional concentration meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board’s (PELSB) Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, a requirement for all Tier 3 and Tier 4 licensed teachers.
| Deliveries | Blended, and Online |
| Location | St. Paul |
| Credits | 41 |
| Tuition per Credit | $535 |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $21,935* |
Standards of Effective Practice Concentration
If you're not already a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota licensed teacher, you will need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice concentration. The concentration meets all the prerequisites for Bethel’s M.A. in Special Education program and it meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board’s (PELSB) Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, a requirement for all Tier 3 and Tier 4 licensed teachers. The Standards of Effective Practice concentration must also be paired with one of the concentrations in the M.A. in Special Education program.
| Deliveries | Blended, and Online |
| Location | St. Paul |
| Credits | 16 (a total of 57 with another concentration) |
| Tuition per Credit | $535 |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $21,935* |
* These program details and costs are estimated and subject to change. View our program details disclaimer for more information.
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Preparing Compassionate, Competent Educational Leaders.
Here, we recognize that teaching children with special needs is a high calling. Our 20 faculty members—who are both recognized researchers and practitioners in multiple specialties within the field—train special education teachers to serve students, teachers, and families from a mindset of Christian values. With this frame, you’ll help create a positive environment that will keep your students engaged in learning and your work rewarding. Our multiple licensure options will help you lead in the largest growing field in education.
93%
students who pass the MTLE Content exam
Teachers describe Bethel's education master's students as “the best they see from the preparation programs.”
- Interviews from national accreditation processProgram Highlights
Experienced professors
Bethel’s special education professors are leading researchers and practitioners in the field with experience in multiple specialties, bringing personal experience to your learning to make coursework relevant to the real-world classroom.
Practical experience
During your program, you’ll have 4 opportunities to practice what you’re learning through clinical experiences so upon graduation you can make a real difference in the K-12 educational setting.
Student success
We’re committed to helping you succeed from admission to graduation. Rather than focusing on the results of one entrance exam for admission, we look for well-rounded people with work experience who can bring diverse perspectives into the classroom. And once you’re here, you’ll be supported by advisors and professors who are caring and ensure that you have everything you need.
Flexibility
We know many of our students work full time, have families, and are involved in their community while in graduate school. Our schedules make it easier for you to earn your degree by having limited in-class time so you can complete your assignments when it works best for you.
Christian environment
In our courses, we integrate Christian faith into ideas and practices. In this way, we model how your values and beliefs influence your teaching and scholarship.
Outcomes
Our M.A. in Special Education program will help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to be a confident, compassionate, successful teacher serving kids, families, and communities.
Skills
Learn how to:
- Effectively teach students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities
- Develop strategies for managing academic and behavioral problems
- Ethically carry out legal requirements of special education
- Collaborate with parents and colleagues
- Engage with students from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds
- Use a range of technology tools to interpret, evaluate, and apply information
Careers
Our graduates become:
- Special education teachers in public, private, and charter schools
- Directors of Special Education
- Principals
- Superintendents
Areas of Study
Our graduates go on to obtain additional licenses in the following areas:
- Academic Behavioral Strategist, K-12
- Autism Spectrum Disorders, birth to age 21
- Developmental Disorders, K-12
- Emotional Behavioral Disorders, K-12
- Work-Based Learning and Technology
