Master of Education
Special Education
Stand Out in your calling.
NEXT START
June 30
Classes begin every 8 weeks
FLEXIBLE
Finish in less than 2 years
Take one course every 8 weeks to finish in just 5 semesters
ONLINE
100% online coursework
Learn on your schedule, wherever you are
AFFORDABLE
$360 per credit
Affordable tuition + 30 credit program
Expertise Enhancement. Enhance your ability to educate, support, and inspire students with diverse learning needs. With Northwestern College's online Master of Education Special Education program, you'll deepen your understanding of effective teaching strategies and methods to create engaging, inclusive learning experiences for all students. An online master’s in special education will equip you for leadership roles in assessment, instructional strategies, and evidence-based practices. You’ll be prepared for career opportunities as a specialist, consultant, or instructional leader.
It's more than a lane change.
Earning a graduate degree doesn't have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Log into class each week and complete your coursework, whenever it's most convenient for you. Take one online 8 week class at a time, completing two classes each semester, and you'll finish your M.Ed. in less than 2 years.
"I feel better equipped to meet the needs of my students and families. I have also grown a lot in my confidence as a professional educator and leader."
- Emma, M.Ed. student
"I feel better equipped to meet the needs of my students and families. I have also grown a lot in my confidence as a professional educator and leader."
- Emma, M.Ed. student
"I feel better equipped to meet the needs of my students and families. I have also grown a lot in my confidence as a professional educator and leader."
- Emma, M.Ed. student
Tuition + fees
Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover resources that may help you finance your bachelor's degree, master's degree, endorsement or certificate with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost.
Financial aid information
Alumni Grant
The Education Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed their undergraduate education degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Education degree online at NWC will receive their first class tuition-free. Students can choose from any of the M.Ed. program track offerings and are eligible if they meet the following criteria:
- Graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood, elementary education or a secondary education endorsement.
- Pursuing a Master of Education degree (graduate-level endorsement programs or individual courses do not qualify).
TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant may be available to help pay for your master's if you teach or plan to become a teacher in a high-need field in a low-income area. For more information visit the TEACH Grant website.
TEACH Grant
Additional resources
Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here, you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward.
Additional Resources
Click the link below to access frequently asked questions.
M.Ed. FAQs
Accredited by the Iowa Department of Education.
Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover resources that may help you finance your bachelor's degree, master's degree, endorsement or certificate with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost.
Financial aid information
The Education Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed their undergraduate education degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Education degree online at NWC will receive their first class tuition-free. Students can choose from any of the M.Ed. program track offerings and are eligible if they meet the following criteria:
- Graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood, elementary education or a secondary education endorsement.
- Pursuing a Master of Education degree (graduate-level endorsement programs or individual courses do not qualify).
The TEACH Grant may be available to help pay for your master's if you teach or plan to become a teacher in a high-need field in a low-income area. For more information visit the TEACH Grant website.
TEACH Grant
Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here, you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward.
Additional Resources
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
No GRE required. No application fee.
No GRE required. No application fee.
No GRE required. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
Official transcripts showing a degree from an accredited institution.
- Official transcripts are needed from your bachelor's degree institution.
- No undergraduate transcripts are required of NWC alumni.
Degrees from colleges accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education [ABHE] or affiliated with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges & Universities [TRACS] will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Send official transcripts to:
onlineadmissions@nwciowa.edu or
Northwestern College
Graduate & Professional Studies
101 7th St SW, Orange City, IA 51041
Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants with a GPA under 3.0 may be eligible for conditional admission on a case-by-case basis.
Documentation of valid teaching license.
- A digital or scanned copy from your state's Department of Education website is sufficient.
Program Specifics
Program Specifics
Program Specifics
30 credit program
30 credit program
30 credit program
EDU555 - Trends and Issues in K-12 Education
(3 credits) Teachers and schools must continually examine current
practices in PreK-12 education in search of better solutions to increase
student
achievement and to thoroughly prepare children for the world in which
they will live and work. In this course students will study current
social, political and academic trends and issues affecting children,
teachers and schools. Students will define their personal positions
based on facts and experience, and will collaborate with others to
advocate for solutions that improve education for PreK-12 grade students.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU570 - Teaching and Learning with Technology
(3 credits) Technology integration in the K-12 setting can enhance
learning, improve motivation and engagement, increase accessibility,
individualize instruction, differentiate assessment and improve
communication with parents and stakeholders. In this course students
will broaden their understanding of the technology available to them in
the PreK-12 classroom and improve their ability to leverage specific
technology to improve teaching and learning.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU610 - Educational Research Methods and Design
(3 credits) This course will provide an overview of research methodology
employed for studies in the field of education. Topics include basic
research methodology, interpretation of findings, and application of
research in educational settings. Students will develop their ability to
critically evaluate educational research and to judiciously apply
findings in their professional settings. By the conclusion of the course
students will be able to identify a potential topic for future research
and outline the basic methodology needed to conduct the study.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
(3 credits) In this course students will apply the cumulative knowledge and
skills learned in their master's program. The research focus may be related to student learning, teacher effectiveness,
school quality, school policy, or other area by approval. The project will be
proposed, approved, designed, and implemented prior to the
student's graduation with a master's degree in education from Northwestern
College. Students who do not have a finished capstone approved by the
M.Ed. Director at the conclusion of EDU635 will repeat the
course for credit.
Prerequisite: EDU610.
Note: Graded on a pass/no pass basis.
SPED520 - Assessment Planning and Practice
This course will provide an in-depth presentation of the complex issue of
assessment, including an examination of evaluation procedures, from
pre-referral intervention, eligibility/placement/program decision-making to
progress monitoring of research-based instructional interventions based on
Response to Intervention (RTI). Students will examine a variety of formal
and informal instruments and techniques used in assessing the strengths,
needs, interests, and preferences of children and youth with exceptional
learning needs. The focus is placed on providing students with knowledge
and skills necessary for selecting, using, interpreting, and evaluating
results from measurement and/or screening instruments and techniques
commonly employed by professionals to facilitate special education
placement, Individual Education Program (IEP) development and evaluation of
the effectiveness of that instruction using progress-monitoring techniques.
Issues in assessment and instruction concerning multicultural and bilingual
special education will also be addressed. (3 credits)
SPED545 - Behavioral and Social Interventions
In this course students will learn about the basic principles of learning
that govern human behavior as well as how these principles can be applied in
the classroom to help individuals with exceptional learning needs reach
their maximum potential. Students will also learn how to measure and
analyze student behavior in order to evaluate student learning and make
necessary adjustment to teaching strategies for individuals with exceptional
learning needs. (3 credits)
SPED550 - Communication and Collaborative Partnerships and Transitions
This course will prepare special education personnel, classroom teachers,
related services personnel, and other support staff for collaborative
consultation, teamwork and transition in serving the educational needs of
students and their families. Consideration of the role of home and parents
in the educational programming for exceptional children, and practical to
positive strategies that can be used in working with parents. The context,
content, processes, practices, and support of collaborative school
consultation will be addressed. (3 credits)
SPED605 - Instructional Decision Making and Leadership in Special Education
This course provides an introduction to theoretical and practical
applications of data-driven decision making, assessments, and curriculum
planning for educators. Students will explore the uses of qualitative and
quantitative data by educational leaders for the purpose of improving
student and organizational outcomes. This course will also focus on using a
collaborative problem-solving approach and response to intervention
processes to improve the learning rate of student. (3 credits)
SPED612 - Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Special Education
This course is an intensive study of the legislation and litigation involved with individuals with disabilities specifically concentrating on those students between the ages of birth - 21 years. A historical as well as current study of legislation used as the basis for providing special education services on the federal and state level will be covered. The legal system on the federal and state level is covered as well as critical litigations that have influenced the field of special education. The student will become knowledgeable about the legal precedence for all that they do as a special educator. (3 credits)
Choose one from the following:
Choose one from the following:
Choose one from the following:
EDU540 - Teaching Young Children with Diverse Needs
(3 credits) Students will learn to design curriculum, instruction and
assessment
specific to the needs of diverse children ages 0 through 8. Create safe
and nurturing classroom environments that are developmentally appropriate
and respect diversity. Collaborate with stakeholders to meet the needs
of young children.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU565 - Instructional strategies for Diverse Students and Settings
(3 credits) This course is intended for experienced teachers, and will
focus on
building off of prior knowledge and experience to improve student
learning. Research-based instructional strategies will be studied, with
particular emphasis on adapting and employing strategies to fit students'
cognitive abilities, motivation, interest, cultural background and other
unique characteristics in diverse settings. Students in this class will
apply new instructional strategies in their practice to positively impact
learning in the PreK-12 classroom.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU585 - Instructional Strategies for Traumatized Students
Students in this course will learn about types of childhood trauma, as well
as its causes and symptoms in children of all ages. They will also review
misconceptions about childhood trauma, examine recent research about how
trauma changes a child's brain and affects learning, treatment methods, and
prevention techniques. Students will learn strategies for creating
trauma-informed schools and classrooms and design plans to implement them.
(3 credits)
