Find your path
Academic and behavioral strategist MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with an academic behavior strategist (ABS) license in two years through online courses and in-person field experiences in your community. The ABS license can serve as your initial license or add-on to another license. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work in K-12 schools or age 18-22 transition programs with students who have a broad array of disabilities (examples include: autism, learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities, other health disabilities).
Deaf and Hard of Hearing MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) license in two years through online courses, in-person field experiences in your community, and several in-person events. The DHH license can serve as your initial license or add-on to another license. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work in school systems supporting infants through students up to age 21 with diverse identities and hearing levels.
Early childhood special education MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with an early childhood special education (ECSE) license in two years through online courses and in-person field experiences in your community. The ECSE can serve as your initial license or add-on to another license. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work as a home visitor or in classroom settings, supporting families and their infants through preschoolers who have a broad array of conditions and disabilities (examples include: developmental delays, autism, emotional or behavioral disorders, speech or language impairments, chromosomal abnormalities, low birth weight).
Emotional or behavioral disorders MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with an emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) license in two years through online courses and in-person field experiences in your community. The EBD can serve as your initial license or as an add-on to another license, Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work in K-12 schools or age 18-22 transition programs with students who have emotional or behavioral disorders with high intensity needs supported through a broad range of settings.
Becoming a special education teacher
If you already hold a bachelor's degree, you may choose to just pursue a teaching license or a teaching license with a master of education (MEd) degree. Most of our students choose to obtain their MEd at the same time as their license. However, those who already hold a Minnesota teaching license may obtain a teaching license in another area in fewer credits. Most still see a benefit to also obtaining an MEd degree if they do not already hold a masters degree.
Our graduate licensure programs offer fully online evening classes with in-person field experiences in your community. The DHH program includes some additional in-person events. Most students continue working full-time while enrolled in our programs.
MEd requirements
A minimum of 30 credits are required for completion of the MEd degree. If the MEd is being combined with an initial teaching license, all degree requirements are included in the licensure requirements. If the MEd is being combined with an additional license for someone who already holds a teaching license, depending on the licensure you choose, an additional 8 - 17 credits may be required, including a final paper/project. Prior equivalent coursework may be substituted for some degree requirements (maximum of 12 credits). You and your advisor will review specific requirements once you are admitted.
Licensure requirements
Course requirements vary by licensure program. Depending on the licensure you choose and whether or not this is your first Minnesota teaching license, 38-54.5 credits may be required. You and your advisor will review specific requirements once you are admitted.
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Tuition and Financial Aid page for information on tuition.
Funding
Scholarships and awards through school districts for employees
Ask your employer if they have funding to support your education.
Special Education Pipeline Grant is a partnership between educator preparation programs and K-12 schools to recruit and prepare employees to become fully licensed Tier 3 or Tier 4 special education teachers.
Grow Your Own Program is similar to the Pipeline program, but is not limited to special education and often includes a focus on diversifying the teacher workforce.
Come Teach in Minnesota allows school districts to offer hiring and retention bonuses to eligible individuals when they move to Minnesota and enroll in a teacher preparation program.
Grants for eligible, enrolled students
TEACH Grants
TEACH Grants are part of a federal program to provide financial support to students who will teach in a high need area at a low-income school for at least four years. Application information is available from Onestop on their grants and waivers page.
Scholarships, fellowships and awards through the University
- Special education scholarships, fellowships, and awards
- College of Education and Human Development awards
Financial aid
Minnesota Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program
Minnesota Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program provides post-secondary financial assistance to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to become teachers, have demonstrated financial need, and belong to racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the state’s teacher workforce.
Visit OneStop Student Services for more information on available financial aid.
DRIVEN to to prepare the next generation
At the University of Minnesota, we are DRIVEN to to prepare the next generation of scientist-practitioners to be:
Data-based collaborators who deliver
Robust, rigorous, relentless instruction to address
Individual differences and needs, adding
Value to student outcomes using
Evidence-based practices and believing
No problem is unsolvable
IDEAL problem solving model
Our program is designed by leaders in the field of special education who train our teacher candidates, using the IDEAL Problem Solving Model to:
Identify the problem
Define the problem
Explore alternative solutions
Apply solutions
Look at the effects of solutions
Related programs
Special education minor for master's students
Complement your master’s degree with the knowledge and skills to improve the way your field supports people with disabilities by earning a graduate minor in special education. Students wishing to pursue this graduate minor must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at the University of Minnesota.
Online autism spectrum disorder certificate
While the online autism spectrum disorder (ASD) certificate does not prepare you to be a licensed teacher in the field of ASD, it does provide a focused set of expertise and an additional credential that may be embedded into other teacher licensure or MEd degree programs with minimal additional coursework.