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
Help Students Thrive with a Master of Education in Special Education Degree
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 (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education degree. Our program teaches 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 MEd 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 (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education.
Please note: The MEd 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.







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What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose A Special Education Master’s Degree Program?
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 MEd 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!
What Will You Study in Our Online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Courses?
Liberty’s MEd 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 MEd 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.
Potential Career Opportunities
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:
- Educational consultant
- Educational diagnostician
- Instructional coordinator
- Special education supervisor
- Special education tester
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Education.
- View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
- This is a non-licensure program. Completion of this degree will not lead to eligibility for a teaching license in Virginia or any other state. Students wishing to become a licensed special education teacher should consider Liberty’s Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education.
Degree Completion Plan

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Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Education Full Time | $415/Credit |
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Graduate Education Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s Master of Education in Special Education Online Program
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Please note: Licensure requirements vary by state. Be sure to research the licensure requirements for becoming a teacher in your state.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
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:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
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.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why get a Master of Education in special education?
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 MEd in special education today and prepare to make a difference in the lives of your students!
What can you do with a special education master’s degree?
Liberty’s MEd 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.
What is the difference between a master’s in teaching and a master’s in education?
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 (MEd) 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 MEd can also help you prepare for the next step in your teaching career, our MEd 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.
Does this program have any special financial benefits?
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 $415 per credit hour for full-time students, Liberty University’s MEd program is available at one of the lowest tuition rates for this degree in the country.
What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this online?
You will have the oppurtunity 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.
What resources will be available to me in this program?
As an online graduate student, you can access a wealth of resources through our top-notch research portal.
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