Master of Science in Special Education (K-12)
Western Governors University
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Program Details

To help meet the urgent nationwide need for special education teachers, WGU offers an affordable, online, cross-categorical Master of Science degree program in Special Education (K–12). Curriculum for the M.S. Special Ed degree program focuses on areas of study including psychoeducational assessment practices, IEP development and implementation, behavior management, instructional design, research fundamentals, and special ed law. Graduates of this program are qualified to work in a variety of settings, including inclusionary K–12 classrooms, self-contained classrooms, or resource rooms. WGU’s Teachers College is CAEP-accredited.

WGU’s Teachers College is CAEP-accredited, and WGU holds the same accreditation as many state universities. With unparalleled online flexibility, students can complete most of their coursework whenever and wherever works best for their schedule. Students also benefit from the competency-based learning model, which lets them pass most courses as quickly as they prove mastery of the material, making it possible to accelerate their progress and potentially graduate faster. Faculty Mentors work one-on-one with WGU students, providing dedicated coaching, guidance, and support from enrollment through graduation.

Requirements

The program includes a practicum with in-class supervised teaching.

The program requires a total of 31 competency units (CUs), the equivalent to the traditional credit hour.

Admission requirements:

  • Provide official transcripts that demonstrate you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited university
  • Meet any program-specific admissions requirements
  • Interview with a WGU Enrollment Counselor

Special Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

School Accreditation Statement

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU's "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges.

Additional Information

The WGU Teachers College is the first competency-based online university to receive accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

Additionally, the teacher licensure programs offered through the WGU Teachers College have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2026.

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