18 MONTHS
Earn your M.S. in Special Education in less than two years.
Local Practica
Elective practicum hours can be completed in your community.
Expert Guidance
Receive dedicated support from leading faculty.
Learning Outcomes
Communities nationwide face shortages of special education educators, leaving some of the most vulnerable students without the support they require and deserve.
With Eastern’s M.S. in Special Education, you’ll learn how to:
- Implement best practices to better instruct K-12 students with disabilities.
- Effectively work with families and other special education personnel.
- Navigate interagency collaboration for the best possible outcomes.
- Become an advocate for inclusive education.
Cultivate a deep understanding of trends and issues related to educating exceptional students before applying what you learn in a local practicum experience and capstone research project.
Program Overview
Eastern Connecticut State University’s online Master of Science in Special Education follows a hybrid model with a strong emphasis on collaboration between schools and communities while maintaining the rigor and quality of instruction that Eastern is known for.
Program Highlights
- 30 Credit Hours
- Flexible Deadlines
- $714 per Credit Hour
- No GRE Required
Who Should Pursue an M.S. in Special Education?
This program is ideal for:
- Experienced certified teachers
- Teacher candidates who have completed a teaching certification program
- School personnel with teaching experience
- Working professionals seeking how to best serve students with disabilities
Career Opportunities
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 1975) mandates the provision of free and appropriate public school education for students ages 3 to 21 who meet eligibility requirements. The number of students receiving services under IDEA totaled 7.3 million by 2022 (15% of total public school students)* and continues to trend upwards, showing a growing need for qualified, dedicated special education professionals.
Connecticut is also seeing a statewide shortage of qualified Prek-12 special Program manager or director educators, which is projected to continue into the coming years.** Eastern’s program seeks to address this shortage by robustly preparing professionals for certification in K-12 settings.
Potential Careers Include:
- Instructional Coordinator
- Educational Administrator
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Program Manager or Director
- Special Education Supervisor
- Intervention Coordinator
- Disability Advocate
Program Coordinators
Dr. Kwangwon Lee
Assistant Professor, Education
Dr. Lee’s research foci include parent-mediated, social communication interventions for children with autism and embedded assistive technology instruction in early childhood teacher education. His research has been published and presented globally. He earned both his Ph.D. and M.S.Ed. in Special Education from Indiana University-Bloomington.
Dr. Tanya Moorehead
Associate Professor, Education
Dr. Moorehead is the coordinator for the Holmes Program, which involves mentoring students from underrepresented populations. She was the 2006 Bloomfield, CT Teacher of The Year.
Why Choose Eastern?
- Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report.
- Eastern has a strong history of preparing educators; the university was first established as a teacher’s college.
- Eastern Connecticut State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
- Offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities.
