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
Click to see the current course requirements in the graduate catalog.
How to Apply
Complete the online application (click Master’s Degree and then scroll down to Special Education):
- 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)
- Copy of teaching license
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- 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.