Master of Education in Special Education

Why an M.Ed. in SPED?

The Augustana University Master of Education in Special Education (M.Ed. in SPED) Program prepares teachers to be leaders and supporters of children and youth with disabilities in educational settings.

  • This program is open to those who hold a bachelor’s degree in education and current teaching license, have been certified through alternative paths and are interested in becoming certified teachers in the future.
  • This program offers one area of specialization in K-12 special education and is delivered completely online.
  • Students choose elective courses from Augustana’s continuing education partners, which are completed prior to beginning the remaining 21 credits in the program.
SPED



Course Descriptions

Tuition & Fees

Faculty

Contacts


 

Latest News

Augustana University is excited to announce that it has established a 2-year pilot program with the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) to give teachers access to the Imagine Solutions Virtual Learning Program.

Augustana University’s Sharon Lust School of Education is proud to announce that it is offering a new area of specialization within the Master of Education in Special Education program that was launched in 2019. A concentration in applied behavior analysis (M.Ed. SPED — ABA) will be offered online beginning in the fall of 2022.

Certification

SPED

The Augustana University Master of Education in Special Education (M.Ed. in SPED) Program faculty, including professors, K-12 educators, administrators, innovators and managers, share their inside view and decades of experience in all types of education.

Certification in South Dakota

One major benefit of this program certification is that it directly leads to an endorsement in South Dakota.

Contact the South Dakota Department of Education (SD DOE) for information about adding an SD DOE K-12 SPED Endorsement at certification@state.sd.us

  • Post-degree requirements for South Dakota certified teachers to add a SPED endorsement include additional PRAXIS tests: 
    • SPED Content Test
    • Pedagogy/PLT Test, which may be waived in certain circumstances

Certification in Other States

To pursue an endorsement and/or alternative certification in special education, contact the state's education authorities prior to enrolling at Augustana University to determine state-specific requirements. An online degree from Augustana does not lead to immediate teacher licensure or endorsement in any state, except South Dakota.

Augustana graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a state-by-state basis that may include one or more of the following:

  • Student teaching or practicum experience
  • Additional coursework
  • Additional testing
  • An additional degree, if the state requires a specific type of degree to seek alternative certification

NC-SARA Professional Licensure is also available for reference.

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