This plan is appropriate for candidates who are not already certified in special education. Candidates in this program of studies are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, and professional knowledge to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements. Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in specific classes.
This program is nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
More Information
The demand for special education teachers currently outpaces the supply across the country. If you are entering the teaching force for the first time as a second or late career professionals or have teaching certification in another area-elementary education, secondary education- and want to become certified in special education as a second area of teaching expertise, our program can help.
By earning our degree, you'll be ready to enter a special education teaching job in the private sector, human services agencies, or in school settings. You'll focus on how to best help educate students with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, mild-moderate intellectual disabilities, and orthopedic and health impairments.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, professional knowledge, and professional dispositions to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements. Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills, professional dispositions are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded throughout the program of study.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 37 - 52 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Arizona Certification/Endorsement | Prepares student for Arizona Certification and/or Endorsement. |
| Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching | Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
The Mild to Moderate with certification MEd degree program leads to certification/licensure with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and is designed to meet your needs as a professional special educator. The program is comprised of online, face-to-face, and blended courses. Whether you want to increase your knowledge of pedagogy or content in the mild to moderate disability area in order to improve your practice or you are interested in becoming a leader in your school or district, we are here to help you.
The MEd degree is designed for:
Competitive graduate assistantships may be available to mitigate tuition costs and provide a monthly stipend.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Take the following 37 - 52 units in the following areas, which are organized into two blocks:
Block A - Education Coursework (15 units)
Note: EDF 500 and EPS 605 are strongly recommended if you did not complete an undergraduate education degree or certification program.
For the Structured English Immersion (SEI) endorsement, candidates who have full SEI endorsement at admission must provide proof of the full endorsement. If proof of the full SEI endorsement is not presented at admission, the candidate is required to take the BME course (i.e., BME 631) as part of their program of study.
All courses must be selected with the written approval of a special-education faculty advisor. Deviations from these guidelines for individual candidates must be approved in writing by the advisor and the department chair on this official form. In addition, you must be admitted to this degree program before finishing your first 12 units of graduate work.
Please Note:
Candidates must also pass the required Arizona Educators Exams of Special Education and Professional Knowledge: Elementary, and meet State requirements on Federal and State Constitutional knowledge for Arizona Teacher Certification.
Be aware that Arizona state teacher certification requirements leading to Institutional Recommendations may change at any time, and may impact program of study requirements.
Also, some districts/schools in Arizona may require additional NES exams if the position is responsible for instruction, evaluation and assigns grades for core academic subjects, such as a Special Education teacher in a self-contained classroom.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.