Special Education Master's Degree
Now enrolling for fall 2026
Lead With Knowledge. Teach With Compassion.
Salve Regina University’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in special education is a comprehensive graduate program designed to prepare educators to address the unique needs of students with disabilities and diverse learning requirements. This specialized program will equip you with the knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to provide effective and inclusive educational support for individuals with exceptionalities across various age groups and settings.
With concentrations in early childhood special education, elementary special education and secondary education special education, you can customize your degree to align with your career goals. Designed with working professionals in mind, this program offers the flexibility to complete your studies while working full-time. Each concentration also provides the option for candidates to fulfill the Rhode Island Department of Education requirements for certification, ensuring you’re well-prepared to advance in the field.
Through our popular accelerated program, qualified undergraduates enrolled in Salve’s education programs can begin their master’s degree in special education during their senior (fourth) year.
Program Features
10 courses offered fully online with an average time to complete of two years, or as soon as one year in the accelerated program.
Rooted in our mercy mission, our special education program trains compassionate teachers dedicated to uplifting every individual and promoting a more just society.
Meeting the Demand
“For the past 30 years, the field of special education has experienced an educator shortage, ranking at the top of the list in the U.S. As the population of students with special needs continues to grow, so does the need for special educators. Teacher education has been part of the University since 1947 and continues to grow and prepare students for the demands of today’s classrooms.” - Dr. Jennifer Booth, Department of Education
Careers in Special Education
Graduates of the M.Ed. in special education program will be prepared to begin teaching careers with advanced knowledge and pursue a variety of roles, such as:
- Special education teacher in public or private schools
- Inclusion specialist or resource teacher
- Educational consultant
- Transition specialist for students with disabilities
- Nonprofit organization work focused on disabilities and education
Degree Options
Master of Education in special education
Our M.Ed. in special education prepares you to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities and diverse learning requirements. You will develop a deep understanding of principles, theories and evidence-based practices that impact teaching students with disabilities. You’ll also select a concentration tailored to your career goals. Coursework is primarily asynchronous, with some limited live sessions.
Course requirements:
SED508: Multicultural Perspectives in Special Education
SED510: Ethics and Legal Foundations of Special Education
SED530: Research Methods in Special Education
SED535: Inclusive Instruction in Special Education
SED538: Intensive Instruction in Special Education
SED540: Assessment and Data-Driven Decision Making
SED545: Understanding and Managing Behavior in Special Education
SED550: Partnering with Families in Special Education
If seeking certification:
SED598: Graduate Internship in Special Education
Concentration: Early childhood special education
The early childhood special education concentration focuses on students from birth to third grade, including screening and assessment. You will learn about the itinerant model for early childhood special education and the role of the special educator as coach.
Course requirements:
SED514: Early Childhood Developmental Screening and Assessment
SED520: Itinerant Model Coaching
Concentration: Elementary special education
The elementary special education concentration expands your knowledge of strategies for teaching literacy, including the science of reading, high quality curriculum material and STEM for diverse learners. Elementary special education certification is for grades K-8.
Course requirements:
SED516: Literacy for Diverse Learners: Intensive instruction
SED522: STEM for Diverse Learners
Concentration: Secondary education special education
The secondary education special education concentration will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of how to teach literacy to adolescents and the steps for transitioning and career planning. Secondary special education certification is for grades 6-12.
Course requirements:
SED518: Literacy for Adolescents: Intensive instruction
SED525: Career and Transition Planning