• Skip To Main Content
  • Report an Accessibility Barrier
  • Accessibility
East Carolina University Homepage

Resources

  • Email
  • Canvas
  • Banner
  • PiratePort
  • PirateID
  • IT Help
  • Videoconferencing
  • The Pirate Experience
  • Work Request
  • Directory
  • Maps
  • Virtual Tour
  • A-Z Index
  • Academic Calendar
  • Event Calendar
  • Catalog
  • Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
College of Education
  • Become a Teacher
  • About
    • Mission & History
    • Accreditation
    • Faculty and Staff Development, Engagement & Wellness
    • COE HelpDesk
    • Graduation
    • College of Education Job Openings
  • Departments
    • Educational Leadership
    • Elementary Education and Middle Grades Education
    • IDP (Adult Education, Counselor Education, and Library Science)
    • Literacy Studies, English Education, and History Education
    • Mathematics Education, Science Education, and Instructional Technology
    • Special Education, Foundations and Research
  • Offices
    • Assessment, Data Management and Digital Learning
    • Community Relations and Outreach
    • Educator Preparation
    • Global Engagement
    • Research and Innovation
    • New Teacher Support Program
  • Centers & Institutes
    • The Center for STEM Education
    • ECU Community School
    • Irene Howell Assistive Technology (IHAT) Center
    • Rural Education Institute
    • McClammy Counseling and Research Lab
  • Connect
    • COE News
    • COE Photos
    • Faculty & Staff
    • College Publications
  • Contact Us
  • Give to COE

Special Education, MAEd

Special Education, Foundations and Research

Contact

Dr. Sandra Warren
252-328-2699
warrens@ecu.edu

Degree Explorer

About

Do you feel called to teach? Do you seek a fulfilling career you are excited about, a career through which you make a real difference in the lives of people with special needs?

The special education program at East Carolina offers a rich combination of mentoring and course work coupled with extensive field-based practices to further your knowledge and skills to teach students with special learning needs. The MAEd program in special education is the only totally online accredited program in the state. It is designed for you to take graduate courses part-time while continuing to work in your local community. The part-time program generally takes two years to complete, but you do have the option of full-time graduate studies.

The ECU Advantage: Why Choose this Program?


Candidates in the program participate in a two-semester in-depth case study project that incorporates knowledge and history of the field, student characteristics and learning needs, and educational programs with application of current research-based models, interventions, and strategies in a classroom setting. To complete this project, candidates work with one student with learning disabilities, teachers, other service providers, and families to plan and implement an evidence-based intervention to improve academic skills. Technologies such as video-recorded teaching demonstrations and teleconferencing are used to share information and provide feedback to candidates.

What You Will Study

The program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. There are four concentrations you can choose from:

  • Behavioral/emotional disabilities concentration
  • Intellectual disabilities concentration
  • Learning disabilities concentration
  • Low-incidence disabilities concentration

How to Apply


Complete the online application (click Master’s Degree and then scroll down to Special Education):

  1. Statement of Intent (writing sample that provides evidence of one’s suitability for graduate study; professional experience and goals; potential for success in the chosen area)
  2. Copy of teaching license
  3. Three (3) letters of recommendation
  4. Official college/university transcript(s)

Apply Now

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams.  However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a  program meets requirements outside of North Carolina.  Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.

  • CoE HelpDesk
  • Job Openings
  • CoE Directory
  • SONIA placement management system
East Carolina University
College of Education
East 5th Street Greenville, NC 27858-4353
252-328-4260 | Contact Us
  • © 2025
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Report a Barrier/Website Issue
Back to top