Education Specialties

Cross-Categorical High Incidence (with certification)

This 31-49 credit hour program of study will prepare you to assume a role as a special education teacher.

Who should apply

This degree program is appropriate for you if you are entering the teaching force for the first time (second career, late career professional) or if you have teaching certification in another area (elementary education, secondary education) and want to become certified in special education as a second area of teaching expertise.

Certification

If you complete the MEd in Special Education with Certification, you will be eligible to receive an institutional recommendation from Northern Arizona University.

Cross-Categorical includes:

• learning disabilities
• emotional/behavior disorders
• mild intellectual disability
• orthopedic
• other health impaired
• high functioning autism

More information

Visit the academic catalog for more information on the Special Education (non-certified) emphasis.

Severe/Profound Low Incidence (with certification)

This 31-49 credit hour program of study will prepare you to assume a role as a special education teacher.

Who should apply

This degree program is appropriate for you if you are entering the teaching force for the first time (second career, late career professional) or if you have teaching certification in another area (elementary education, secondary education) and want to become certified in special education as a second area of teaching expertise.

Certification

If you complete the MEd in Special Education with Certification, you will be eligible to receive an institutional recommendation from Northern Arizona University.

Severe/Profound includes:

• moderate-severe intellectual disability
• autism
• orthopedic and health impairments
• multiple disabilities

More information

Visit the academic catalog for more information on the Severe/Profound Low Incidence emphasis.

Early Childhood Special Education (with certification)

Who should apply

This 33 unit degree program is appropriate for you if you are interested in working with infants and young children (0-5 years of age) with special needs. You must be a certified teacher or be eligible for certification in early childhood education, elementary education, or special education.

Career preparation

When you complete this program of study, you’ll be prepared to:

• work with children birth to five in integrated settings
• be employed in early childhood special education or integrated settings
• provide early intervention services to infants and young children in non-school settings

Certification

You must also pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (professional knowledge and Special Education focus area), and meet State requirements on Federal and State Constitutional knowledge for Arizona Teacher Certification.

More information

Visit the academic catalog for more information on the Early Childhood Special Education emphasis. 

Special Education (non-certified)

This 30 credit hour program of study will prepare you to assume a role as a special education provider in government or non-profit community agencies or other places that do not require teaching certification. It is also appropriate for special education professionals seeking to add to their skills and knowledge.

Who should apply

This degree program is appropriate for you if you already have a teaching certificate and are looking for a way to increase your knowledge and skills of special education.

Certification

This program does not lead to certification. However, you may earn a graduate certificate, along with your masters, through one of the following specialization areas:

Special Education (non-certified) degree include the following emphasis:

• Cross Categorical High Incidence
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Assistive Technology
• Autism Spectrum Disorders*
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Special Education*
• Positive Behavior Support (school based option)*
• Disability Policy and Practice*
• Disability Studies*

*Denotes an emphasis that leads to an NAU graduate certificate. A separate application is needed.

More information

Visit the academic catalog for more information on the Special Education (non-certified) emphasis.