Master of Special Education

Master of Special Education

The Walker School of Education graduate program’s mission is to prepare culturally responsive educators and leaders who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to build a culture of learning; implement principles of effective instruction and leadership; apply data-driven decision-making to inform continuous school improvement; demonstrate professionalism and respect; and foster inclusive and equitable learning environments for all stakeholders of the school community.

*Number of credit hours depends on the Area of Emphasis

Connect with an Enrollment Specialist

Meghan Christensen

Enrollment Specialist
Email Address: christensenm@midlandu.edu 
Phone Number: 402-941-6079

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Program Information & Outcomes

Master’s candidates will obtain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to teach, consult, and provide services related to behavioral needs for children with disabilities, from birth through age 21. Additionally, candidates will examine advanced strategies to support the needs of students with disabilities, including timely topics and practices surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion; culturally sustaining pedagogy; instructional technology; collaboration strategies; and leadership. Lastly, a Master’s candidate has the opportunity to dig deep into an area of interest by exploring an identified problem of practice, relevant literature and resources related to the problem of practice, and establishing suggestions to enhance and support students with disabilities through an applied Capstone project.

Program Outcomes:

• Incorporate practical knowledge, policy, theory, and research to produce actionable strategies that promote the continuous improvement of special education programs, supports, and services at the classroom, school, and system level (NDE Rule 24 Guidelines Standard 3 and 4).
• Construct a system (i.e., an organized set of principles or procedures), using appropriate resources, to identify and assess students with behavioral and emotional disorders (NDE Rule 24 Guidelines Standard 1 and 6).
• Evaluate the design and implementation of effective intervention and instruction strategies to support students with disabilities, including those with behavioral and emotional needs (NDE Rule 24 Guidelines Standard 2 and 4).
• Create policy, procedures, and/or evidence-based practices that support the success of individuals with disabilities and their families, using data and other credible information, and in collaboration with stakeholders from the school community (NDE Rule 24 Guidelines Standard 5, 6, and 7).
• Validate the design and implementation of culturally sustaining pedagogy to support the unique needs of all students (NDE Rule 24 Guidelines Standard 2 and 3).
• Develop strategies to advocate, nurture, and sustain an inclusive school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth through a leadership lens(NDE Rule 24 Standard 5, 6, and 7).

Accreditation

Midland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois, 60604-1411, (800) 621-7440, and the Department of Higher Education of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Individual programs are accredited by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, and the Nebraska State Department of Education. Documentation of accreditation may be viewed upon request in the Office of the President.

Midland University’s Master of Special Education and endorsement programs are approved by the Nebraska State Department of Education, 500 S. 84th St., 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 94987, Lincoln, NE 68510-2611, (402) 471-2295.

State Authorization and Reciprocity