Master of Education in Special Education Craft Success for Unique Learners
36
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026
You love helping children with special needs learn and grow. You are seeking a versatile degree that helps you prepare for a wide variety of careers in the field of education. You want to leave a lasting legacy and make a difference in the lives of your students.
Study how to design and implement effective school curricula with Liberty’s online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education degree. Our program teaches the best methods for helping kids with special needs and learning disabilities thrive academically. You can learn how to help children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
Our M.Ed. in special education is a non-licensure program designed to help you take the next step in your career. Maybe you want to strengthen your effectiveness as a teacher, or perhaps you’d like to pursue non-teaching roles in the field of education. Either way, our Master of Education can help you pursue your goals.
Partner with us and train to become a Champion for Christ in the modern education system.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education.
Please note: The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education degree is a non-licensure program. Students can switch to the licensure-track Master of Arts in Teaching program but must meet credit hour and GPA qualifications.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
As pioneers in distance learning since 1985, we’re committed to providing an education that works for you. This degree is offered 100% online, and the courses have no set login times. You can take the next step in your academic journey without relocating or taking time off from work to attend on-campus classes.
We don’t just train educators – we train educators who want to make a positive impact on the next generation. It’s about who you are and who you aspire to become. Earn your M.Ed. at Liberty and prepare to lead with integrity in the education sector.
At Liberty, you’ll receive quality academics, affordable tuition rates, and practical training from professors who have years of real-world experience. If you want to study under industry experts who care about your personal and professional success, then our program is for you!
Liberty’s M.Ed. in special education curriculum can help hone your skill set and broaden your professional capacity. You can develop a solid foundation in current learning theories, then apply those theories to real-world challenges.
Learn how to meet the needs of young learners using intervention strategies, educational technology, and cutting-edge curricula. Throughout this program, you can learn how to enhance your students’ classroom experience and help children of all backgrounds and learning styles succeed.
Liberty’s M.Ed. provides a mix of core education courses and targeted special education classes. Within the specialization, you’ll look at how developmental disabilities, especially autism, can affect children’s performance in school. Equipped with this knowledge, you can prepare to develop instructional strategies, equipment, and classroom settings that meet students’ unique needs.
Liberty University’s master’s in education can help equip you to pursue many job opportunities in the world of education. Whether you want to advance in your current field or launch a new career altogether, we can help. Some of the roles you may qualify for after completing this degree include:
Degree Completion Plan
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Graduate Education Full Time | $430/Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Education Part Time | $645/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $290/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Please note: Licensure requirements vary by state. Be sure to research the licensure requirements for becoming a teacher in your state.
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
Please see the Online Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
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Lynchburg, VA 24515
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
This degree is a great option for those who want to help students with disabilities succeed in school. You can learn how to implement curriculum changes that promote student achievement. Earn your M.Ed. in special education today and prepare to make a difference in the lives of your students!
Liberty’s M.Ed. in special education can help equip you for many career paths, both inside and outside the classroom. Check out our “Careers” section above for a list of jobs you could pursue after earning this degree.
As you’re preparing for graduate school, one question you may have is “What is the best master’s degree to get in education?” That depends on your interests and career goals. A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) can both help you grow in your career – but they have some important differences that you’ll want to keep in mind.
An MAT is designed to train you for a career in the classroom. If you want to learn advanced teaching techniques and pursue initial teaching licensure, you may be interested in our Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education degree. While an M.Ed. can also help you prepare for the next step in your teaching career, our M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education is a non-licensure program that is primarily designed to help you pursue educational leadership roles outside the classroom.
While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have lowered our tuition for our Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education programs. At $430 per credit hour for full-time students, Liberty University’s M.Ed. program is available at one of the lowest tuition rates for this degree in the country.
You will have the opportunity to network with education students, faculty, and professionals from across the country while completing Liberty’s master’s in education. Additionally, our online courses are only 8 weeks long with 8 different start dates offered each year and no set login times.
As an online graduate student, you can access a wealth of resources through our top-notch research portal.
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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.