Find your path
Choose the tab below that best describes your experience or interests related to becoming a special education teacher.
The following options are available to those who do not already have any type of teaching license and want to get started.
BS with academic behavioral strategist licensure
Earn your bachelor's of science (BS) in special education and academic and behavioral strategist (ABS) teaching license in four years, through in-person and online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach students with mild-moderate disabilities in K-12 school systems.
BS with early childhood special education licensure
Earn your bachelor's of science (BS) in special education and early childhood special education (ECSE) teaching license in four years, through in-person and online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with delays/disabilities in a wide variety of home, community, and school settings.
MEd with academic and behavioral strategist licensure
Earn your master's of education (MEd) with academic and behavioral strategist (ABS) teaching license in two years, through in-person and online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach students with mild-moderate disabilities in K-12 school systems.
MEd with Deaf and Hard of Hearing licensure
Earn your master’s of education (MEd) 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. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to be licensed to teach students with diverse backgrounds and hearing levels from birth to age 22.
MEd with early childhood special education licensure
Earn your master's of education (MEd) with early childhood special education (ECSE) teaching license in two years, through in-person and online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with delays/disabilities in a wide variety of home, community, and school settings.
MEd with emotional and behavioral disorders licensure
Earn your master’s of education (MEd) with an emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) license in two years through online courses and in-person field experiences in your community. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to be licensed 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.
The options below are available to those who already have a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license and need to obtain a Tier 3 license.
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 and 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.
The following options are available to those who already have a teaching license from another field and want to add a special education license. Obtaining a master’s degree is optional and fewer courses will be required.
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
In the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program, you'll receive the training you need to teach students, birth through age 21, with diverse backgrounds and hearing levels. Our graduates earn the qualifications needed to apply for licensure in the state of Minnesota as an initial or additional license and the skills needed to improve education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and their families. You’ll leave the program ready to incorporate best practices into teaching, help students develop their identities, and promote respect and equity for ASL/English and cultural diversity.
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.
The following options are available to those who already have a special education teaching license and want to add another license. Obtaining a master’s degree is optional and fewer courses will be required.
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
In the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program, you'll receive the training you need to teach students, birth through age 21, with diverse backgrounds and hearing levels. Our graduates earn the qualifications needed to apply for licensure in the state of Minnesota as an initial or additional license and the skills needed to improve education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and their families. You’ll leave the program ready to incorporate best practices into teaching, help students develop their identities, and promote respect and equity for ASL/English and cultural diversity.
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.
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.
More program information
The Special Education Program at the University of Minnesota strives to foster an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and every member is respected. By addressing systemic inequities and advancing antiracist and culturally responsive education, we aim to improve services and supports for individuals with disabilities, including those from other marginalized communities. We are committed to nurturing a supportive and collaborative community that values open dialogue and honors all individual identities.