Accelerated Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education

An accelerated master’s program allowing undergraduate students from select University of Maine System campuses who are in an initial teacher preparation program to also earn an M.Ed. in Special Education (High Incidence Disabilities Concentration) from the University of Maine in just five years.

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Program overview

As children with special needs are being identified earlier and schools are seeing increased demand for services that support them, Maine and many other states face a shortage of qualified, knowledgeable special education teachers. The University of Maine’s accelerated Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education is designed to address this critical aspect of our education system and the education workforce. The 4+1 program allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in just five years, earning the credits necessary to become certified as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (K-8 or 7-12) in Maine (Maine Department of Education endorsements 282E or 282S)

The accelerated program is currently only available to undergraduate students at the University of Maine, the University of Maine at Augusta or the University of Maine at Machias. Teacher preparation students from these schools must apply to the 4+1 program before completing their undergraduate or postbaccalaureate teaching certification program. Undergraduate students at the University of Maine can also become certified special education teachers in four years, through the special education concentration in Elementary Education major. Students from other institutions or who already have a bachelor’s degree, can earn the credits necessary to become certified special education teachers via our traditional M.Ed. in Special Education degree program, which is 100% online.

Prospective and accepted students in the 4+1 program work closely with an advisor to ensure they’re meeting the curriculum requirements. Students proceed through their normal program of study through the first three years of their undergraduate program. During their senior year, they begin to take classes at their home institution and online via UMaineOnline that will be applied toward the M.Ed. in Special Education (High Incidence Disabilities Concentration).
 
University of Maine students are encouraged to work with the College of Education and Human Development Advising Center to develop an appropriate plan of study for their senior year and +1 year.

UMA/UMM Courses

For students at the University of Maine at Augusta or the University of Maine at Machias, these courses count toward your undergraduate and graduate degrees. Choose four courses from the following (12 credits):

  • SED 420: Special Education Law (3 credits; UMaine equivalent: SED 520)
  • SED 425: Assessment in Special Education (3 credits; UMaine equivalent: SED 553)
  • SED 435: Program Planning for Students with Disabilities (3 credits; UMaine equivalent: SED 543)
  • SED 445: Behavior Support Systems and Strategies (3 credits; UMaine equivalent: SED 532)
  • SED 455: Transitional Issues for Students with Disabilities (3 credits; UMaine equivalent: SED 587)

+1 Courses to be taken OnLine from UMaine

In addition to 12 credits of coursework from the classes listed above, students will choose courses from the list below to take during their +1 year via UMaineOnline. A total of 30 credits are required from this list:

  • SED 520: Law and Policy Affecting Individuals with Disabilities (3 credits)
  • SED 532: Behavior Management and Intervention (3 credits)
  • SED 543: Program Planning and Curriculum Access (3 credits)
  • SED 544: Mathematical Methods in Special Education (3 credits)
  • SED 545: Intervention for Reading Difficulties (3 credits)
  • SED 546: Intervention for Writing Difficulties (3 credits)
  • SED 564: Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning in PreK-12 Classrooms (3 credits)
  • SED 587: Collaboration and Transition for Special Educators (3 credits)
  • SED 605: Seminar in Special Education (3 credits)
  • One Special Education elective (3 credits)

A graduate degree in special education can lead to opportunities for career advancement, including positions as lead teachers, coaches and special education directors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 33,500 openings for special education teachers are projected annually from 2022 to 2032. The median annual wage for special education teachers was $65,910 in May 2023, higher than the median yearly wage for all occupations of $48,060. Graduates can also find opportunities outside the classroom as supervisors and administrators or in fields such as social work, health care, or therapy.

Our curriculum is designed to help our graduates attain the professional knowledge and competencies outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children’s Professional Preparation Standards. The standards describe the necessary skills and expertise for practicing special education teachers. The Council for Exceptional Children is the premiere professional organization for special education.

  • Assessment: Special education specialists use valid and reliable assessment practices to minimize bias.
  • Curricular Content Knowledge: Special education specialists use their knowledge of general and specialized curricula to improve programs, supports, and services at classroom, school, community, and system levels.
  • Programs, Services, and Outcomes: Special education specialists facilitate the continuous improvement of general and special education programs, supports, and services at the classroom, school, and system levels for individuals with exceptionalities.
  • Research and Inquiry: Special education specialists conduct, evaluate, and use inquiry to guide professional practice.
  • Leadership and Policy: Special education specialists provide leadership to formulate goals, set and meet high professional expectations, advocate for effective policies and evidence-based practices, and create positive and productive work environments.
  • Professional and Ethical Practice: Special education specialists use foundational knowledge of the field and professional ethical principles and practice standards to inform special education practice, engage in lifelong learning, advance the profession, and perform leadership responsibilities to promote the success of professional colleagues and individuals with exceptionalities.
  • Collaboration: Special education specialists collaborate with stakeholders to improve programs, services, and outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities and their families.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) statement

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.

Faculty

The undergraduate faculty will vary by institution. For classes taken via UMaineOnline, special education faculty members are:

Sarah Howorth, Associate Professor of Special Education
Courtney Angelosante, PBIS Initiative Coordinator
Melissa J. Cuba, Assistant Professor of Special Education
Sara Flanagan, Associate Professor of Special Education
Joo Young Lee, Assistant Professor of Special Education
Krystle Merry, Lecturer in Special Education
Janet Spector, Professor Emerita of Special Education

For current information about tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s office.

Students apply to the 4+1 program during their junior year before completing their undergraduate degree or postbaccalaureate certificate. We have rolling admissions, so you can apply and be accepted anytime during the calendar year. However, the following priority deadlines are recommended:

  • Fall Semester: August 15
  • Spring Semester: December 15
  • Summer Semester: April 15

Applications will still be accepted after these dates, but acceptance may be deferred until the following semester.

Requirements

  • At least 60, but no more than 100, completed credits applicable towards an undergraduate degree in education.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Currently working or volunteering with students with disabilities.
  • 12 credits (4 courses) of 400-level coursework in special education taken while earning their undergraduate degree or postbaccalaureate certificate.

Application Materials

The admission evaluation process begins when we’ve received all of your application materials. When you’re ready, please submit the following:

  • An Intent to Apply application This application must be submitted during your junior year as an undergraduate.
  • An online Graduate School application. This application must be submitted during the last semester of your undergraduate senior year.
  • Current résumé or CV.
  • Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended.
  • A 400-500 word essay describing your motivation for obtaining an M.Ed. in Special Education that also demonstrates your writing skills and capacity for reflection.
  • Evidence of fingerprinting and a completed background check.
  • Proof of teaching certification if you currently hold a teaching license. After completing an undergraduate degree or postbaccalaureate teacher certification program, students must apply to the Maine Department of Education for initial certification.
  • Three letters of recommendation describing your ability to perform graduate-level coursework and potential for success as a special education teacher.

Applicants may also be invited for a personal interview with the Special Education faculty.

Contact Us

For general queries, please email coehd@maine.edu. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Amanda Hafford, assistant director of advising and student support in UMaine’s Division of Lifelong Learning: amanda.hafford@maine.edu or 207.370.4199.

UMaine Graduate school Contact form
UMaineOnline: Accelerated M.Ed. in Special Education 4+1