Special education
Master of Education
Lead with empathy and teach with purpose
You believe all students deserve responsive, high-quality instruction—regardless of ability. At U of I, you’ll join a community of educators and leaders who feel the same. Across Idaho and the nation, compassionate, well-prepared special education professionals are in high demand. Our M.Ed. in special education will help you meet that need and lead with impact.
Offered through the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, this program is designed for both current educators and aspiring professionals who want to support students with mild to moderate disabilities, including, but not limited to, learning disabilities, behavior challenges, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities and other impairments. You’ll learn to design individualized curricula, support students’ social and academic development and help them build skills for life beyond the classroom.
Flexible pathways for your goals
Choose the format that fits your background and career plans:
- Already certified in special education? Deepen your expertise and explore advanced instructional strategies and curriculum design.
- Certified teacher looking to add a special education endorsement? Build on your existing credentials and prepare for the Standard Instructional Certificate with Exceptional Child Endorsement.
- Undergraduate in elementary or secondary education? Complete a combined bachelor’s and M.Ed. 4+1 pathway in just five years to earn both your initial Idaho teaching license and special education endorsement.
- Interested in working outside the K-12 setting? We’ll help you create a personalized study plan for roles in community organizations, higher education or support services for individuals with disabilities.
What you’ll learn
Throughout the program, you'll explore:
- Developmentally responsive teaching and inclusive instructional strategies.
- Behavior, academic, and social-emotional assessment and intervention.
- Evidence-based curriculum planning and student data analysis.
- Collaboration and leadership across school and community systems.
Students completing teaching endorsement programs will complete an internship alongside an experienced special educator, gaining hands-on experience and valuable mentorship in a classroom setting.
With small class sizes, expert faculty members and opportunities for community-based learning, you’ll graduate with the skills — and the professional network — to make a meaningful impact from day one.
Overview
From lesson plans to life plans
Application information
Applicants for the M.Ed. in special education must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor’s
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: Not required
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: One
- Other requirements: Writing sample
Program availability
- Concentration: Non-thesis
- Semester intake: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Not eligible for international applicants who require F-1 or J-1 visa status
- Deadlines: General application deadlines
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Curriculum and Instruction contact: Andy Scheef; ascheef@uidaho.edu
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Tuition and fees
To learn how you can fund your graduate degree, check out the Graduate Funding resources.
Visit Financial Aid to find detailed information about the cost of attendance.
Degree fit
This program is a good fit if you:
- Are compassionate, patient and creative.
- Want to help youth with disabilities.
- Have strong leadership, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Are willing to work hard to overcome challenges.
Hands-on learning
In the Master of Education special education program, you’ll have many opportunities for training with personnel in the Center on Disabilities and Human Development. The small size of our program will allow you to form strong interpersonal bonds with faculty and other students.
You will also have opportunities to participate in interdepartmental studies, become involved in community-based programs and network with professionals in special education and other disciplines. If you choose to enroll in person on the Moscow campus, you will have opportunities to work with Vandal QUEST students, who attend our inclusive postsecondary transition program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Internships
If you are seeking a teaching endorsement, you will be required to take state-required certification exams. You also will complete an internship experience in a classroom environment, where you will learn alongside experienced teachers. You also will receive personal mentorship from our leading education faculty.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
400 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Kindergarten Special Education Teachers • Elementary Special Education Teachers
$76,621 - Middle School Special Education Teachers
$83,039 - Secondary Special Education Teachers
$80,464
* Career data provided by Lightcast.