M.Ed. in Special Education

The early childhood concentration prepares individuals to work with families and young children, from birth through age 5, with and at risk for developmental disabilities. Using a hybrid of online and face-to-face formats, the program is learner-centered, innovative and collaborative. The program prepares students to serve infants and young children representing a wide range of abilities, including those at risk for developmental delays and those at risk for or with severe disabilities.

Program highlights:

• Initial teacher licensure with endorsement in early childhood special education by the Virginia Department of Education
• Completion of early intervention certification training
• Program completion timelines from six semesters of full-time study to eight semesters of part-time study
• Creation of an electronic portfolio that showcases knowledge, skills, and dispositions in early childhood special education
• Access to professionals in the field through our advisory board members

Degree requirements for the early childhood concentration »

*Exact course requirements may vary depending on date of matriculation. Current and prospective students should consult their faculty adviser with any questions.

Starting fall 2022, Project PIRR will sponsor 20 early childhood special education students and 10 social work students to engage in an intensive interdisciplinary training program across three disciplines: education, social work and pediatrics. This project is possible with grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education and is a partnership with the School of Social Work, and the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine, in collaboration with the Partnership for People with Disabilities, the Virginia Department of Education, and community partners.

Special Admission Notes:

1. Complete VCU Online Graduate Application
2. Submit all required additional documentation (see Application Checklist)
3. Contact Project PIRR coordinator, Maris Wyatt at mterry4@vcu.edu for more information
4. Application to the M.Ed. and Project PIRR can be done concurrently. Acceptance into the M.Ed. is required for consideration for the Project PIRR funding and grant experience. Students who are considered for admission will be asked to complete a personal interview for final consideration for the program and project.

Please review Project PIRR handout (coming soon) and connect with SOEinfo@vcu.edu for any additional questions.

The general education concentration is designed to provide graduates with the professional knowledge and skills needed to work in a variety of settings, such as general education classrooms (where children with special needs are being taught collaboratively), resource rooms and residential programs.

Special training is provided in teaching reading and language, behavior management and the use of interactive strategies that teach positive social skills. Candidates are prepared to work with students in completing a variety of transitions, such as from special education to the general education classroom or from high school to employment and independent living.

Program highlights:

• Learner-centered, innovative, and collaborative  
• Offers a fully online, working professional-friendly course format  
• Provides specialized funding opportunities through the TEACH grant  
• Engage with faculty and practitioners in the community on emerging field issues  
• Learn and apply cutting-edge intervention techniques.

Multiple Pathways to Support Future Special Education:

• We offer fully online coursework to accommodate diverse learning needs. For those interested in urban-focused settings, explore the RTR program (course format may vary).
• We provide VCU certificate completers a pathway to pursue an M.Ed. in Special Education-General Education with an additional 12 graduate credits and program requirements. You can transfer completed courses to the M.Ed. program within 7 years of starting your certificate program.
  
  

Degree requirements for the general education concentration »

Please keep in mind, however, that the exact course requirements may vary depending on when you matriculated into the program, so please consult your adviser or the program coordinator with any additional questions.

Admission Notes:

1. Complete VCU Online Graduate Application
2. Submit all required additional documentation (see Application Checklist)

The adapted curriculum concentration of our M.Ed. in special education prepares teachers to work with students with the most significant support needs in grades K-12 in public school settings. Courses address physical and medical management issues, functional assessment strategies, longitudinal curriculum planning, systematic instruction, augmentative and alternative communication systems, assistive technology, transition from school to adulthood, positive behavioral supports and the special needs of students with autism or physical, sensory and health-related disabilities.

VCU is a member, along with JMU, GMU, Radford, ODU and NSU, of the Virginia Adapted Curriculum Consortium. We all offer the same core curriculum of coursework, so you would enroll in the University that is closest to you. If you are an instructional assistant or a provisionally licensed teacher, you are eligible for tuition support for your core coursework through the Consortium.

Prerequisite: SEDP 630 Trends in Special Education or a Provisional license in Adapted Curriculum from VDOE. 

Program Highlights: 

• Online asynchronous and synchronous
• Learner-centered, innovative and collaborative
• Emphasizes person-centered planning, school, and community inclusion, transdisciplinary teamwork, and the role of the family
• Prepares students to serve students with significant disabilities in a variety of K-12 settings
• Ability to earn the Virginia State License Special Education: Adapted Curriculum K-12
• Grant funding available for select students
• Engage with faculty and practitioners in the community on emerging issues in the field
• Learn and apply cutting-edge teaching strategies and intervention
• Program completion timelines from four semesters of full-time study to six semesters of part-time study
• Creation of an electronic portfolio that showcases knowledge, skills, and dispositions in adapted curriculum special education

Degree requirements for the adapted curriculum concentration »

Please keep in mind, however, that the exact course requirements may vary depending on when you matriculated into the program, so please consult your adviser or the program coordinator with any additional questions.