Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Special Education

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education at Florida Atlantic University is a fully online graduate program designed to prepare professionals to work with individuals with disabilities across a range of educational and care settings. Grounded in the latest Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Advanced Preparation Standards, the program emphasizes evidence-based practices and high-quality professional preparation.

Within this degree, the Concentration includes coursework leading to Pre-K Disabilities Florida Teacher add-on certification, and Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist early intervention training, both focused on supporting young children with developmental delays or disabilities from infancy through early elementary years. Students gain specialized knowledge in child development, inclusive practices, and intervention strategies tailored to early learning environments.

The program offers flexible learning options, combining synchronous and asynchronous coursework in both traditional and accelerated formats, allowing completion in as little as 16–24 months. With tuition costs under approximately $14,000, it is among the most affordable programs of its kind, and select students may qualify for competitive graduate research assistantships.

Early Childhood Specialization Options

• Pre-K Disabilities (Pre-K–Grade 3 Certification)
  This pathway prepares students for add-on Florida teacher certification in Pre-K Disabilities. It aligns with multiple professional standards, including those from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Florida’s educator competencies. Graduates are equipped to design inclusive learning environments and deliver instruction for young children with diverse needs. Learn more about Pre-K–Grade 3 Certification.
• Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS)
  This option provides focused training to work with infants and toddlers in early intervention settings. Students learn to support developmental growth across domains, collaborate with families, and contribute to individualized early intervention plans. Upon completion and additional requirements, graduates may apply for the Florida Department of Health ITDS Certification and work as early intervention providers, including within Medicaid-funded programs. Learn more about the ITDS specialization.

Program Overview

Consult the FAU Course Catalog for course descriptions and other details.

How to Apply

To be considered for admission into the Master’s program in the Department of Special Education, applicants must complete a graduate application online through FAU’s Graduate College at www.fau.edu/graduate; select M.Ed. in Special Education.

Students are admitted for Fall (August) or Spring (January) entry. Application deadlines for fall entry: January 15 (International); or June 1 (Domestic). Spring semester entry: June 15 (International) or October 1 (Domestic).

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC APPLICANTS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• An undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0. If GPA is below 3.0, applicants may submit one letter of recommendation from an (education related field) employer or current/former university instructor
• Personal statement not exceeding three double spaced pages, indicating applicant’s reasons for pursuing a Master’s degree and career goals

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

• Bachelor’s Degree (w/course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts if applicable)
• An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or if GPA is below 3.0, applicants may submit 1 letter of recommendation from (education related field) employer or current/former university instructor
• Personal statement not exceeding three double spaced pages, indicating applicant’s reasons for pursuing a Master’s degree and career goals
• Have attained minimum English proficiency scores within the last two years: TOEFL 548 (paper-based test), or 79 (Internet-based test); a score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS; or, Duolingo 110.