Online Master's in Special Education and Inclusive Practices
Focus on studying the educational, psychological and sociological needs of children and youth in our online master's in special education and inclusive practices program. Graduates of this online master's program are prepared to become an advocate for the diverse needs of all learners, including those with disability labels.
Why choose Rowan Online's master’s in special education program?
A flexible online master’s in special education and inclusive practices degree program
Our online Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education and Inclusive Practices program provides new and continuing teachers advanced studies focusing on the educational, psychological, and sociological needs of children and youth with disabilities. Graduates will learn to implement inclusive, multi-tiered systems of support to serve the diverse needs of all learners. With specialized tracks in Learning Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, and Graduate Endorsement, candidates can choose the most relevant pathway for their specific professional needs. Our program empowers graduates to become skilled leaders and change agents within their schools.
2025-2026 Academic Year
Credits, Cost & Completion Time
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Months to Complete
Application Deadlines
Fall Module A Entry Deadline
Spring Module A Entry Deadline
Summer Module A Entry Deadline
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Spring Module A Start Date
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Studying special education at Rowan
What You'll Learn
Rowan’s online Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education and Inclusive Practices program requires the completion of 30-36 graduate credits (12 courses).
Students in this program must be affiliated with a school district (as a full-time substitute teacher, aide, para, lead teacher, or collaborative teacher) with direct access to the same group of students in a p-12 classroom on a consistent, weekly basis, to complete extensive field-based assignments for several required courses.
Online special education key courses
- Characteristics of Young Children with Disabilities (Birth-5) and Their Families
- Special Education Policy, Advocacy and Teacher Leadership
- Communication Skills for Students with Disabilities
- Educational Assessment in Special Education
- Inquiry in Special Education
- Practicum: Inquiry in Special Education Settings
Elective study may also be available in the following areas:
- Teaching Reading to Students with Disabilities
- Implementing Positive Behavior Supports
- Educational Assessment in Special Education
- Curriculum, Instruction and Transition in Special Education
- Technology for Students with Disabilities
- Education and Psychology of Students with Disabilities
- Applied Theories of Learning
- Foundations of Learning Disabilities
- Neurological Bases of Educational Disorders
- Teaching Reading to Students with Disabilities
- Educational and Psychology of Students with Disabilities
- Methods for Assessing and Teaching Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
- Methods for Assessing and Teaching Preschool Children (3-5) with Disabilities
- Supporting Diverse Families, Community Partnerships and Transitions
- Issues of Language and Cultural Diversity in ESL/Bilingual Programs
- Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition for Teaching Languages
- Understanding Immigrant-Origin Students: Language, Culture and Mobility
- Planning, Teaching and Assessment in ESL Classrooms
- Integrating Language and Content in the ESL/Bilingual Education Classroom
Note: The course information above is not official and is subject to change. For an official list of available courses, please review the Rowan University Academic Catalog.
Information for New Jersey teachers
Teachers in the state of New Jersey may apply through the New Jersey Teacher Outreach Program (NJTOP®). For more information about the NJTOP eligible programs, click here.
The Rowan Online Experience
You don’t have to step away from your career to earn a graduate degree. Rowan Online offers asynchronous courses, active faculty engagement, part-time coursework and a platform that helps you stay connected to your peers and instructors when the time is right for you. Take a closer look at the unmatched online learning experience provided by Rowan Online.
Admission Requirements
To begin the admission process for Rowan’s online master’s degree in special education and inclusive practices program, you must submit the following application materials. Once you apply, a representative from the Rowan University Office of Admissions will reach out to confirm your application or notify you of any missing information. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program.
- Completed online application
- $65 (U.S.) non-refundable application fee
- Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
- Current professional resume
- Typewritten statement of professional objectives (all)
- For the Early Childhood Special Education (birth-5) Certificate of Graduate Study/Track: Please explain how this Early Childhood Special Education (birth-5) Certificate of Graduate Study/Track aligns with your professional objectives and what you hope to learn from this non-certification program.
- Two letters of recommendation
- While the official Recommendation Form is required, an actual letter from the recommender is preferred. Letters of recommendation should be from professional administrators (supervisor, principal, or superintendent) and/or former professors who can provide information which attests to the applicant's ability to pursue a graduate degree.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Statement of access to a classroom (only applicable to Early Childhood Special Education track)
- Please submit 1-2 paragraphs briefly listing/describing at least one licensed, center-based preschool and/or Early Childhood home-based or center-based site that directly works with young children (in the birth-5 range) where you anticipate being able to complete field-related assignments aligned with ECSE track/COGS coursework (i.e., during and/or after-hours from your current employment for certain assignments per semester may work for our purposes). Please be sure to include the site location and contact information (email, phone) of the director. [Note that a local site covering birth-5 would be ideal since we have a course dedicated to infants/toddlers separate from preschool-aged children. If you only identify one local preschool-aged site for three-to-five-year-olds, however, this is okay for our purposes as long as you are willing to brainstorm alternative options with the instructor to observe/interact with younger children in the infant/toddler methods course, as per assignment guidelines.]
- Copy of NJ Teaching Certification (Standard or CEAS) in Elementary or Secondary Subject Area
- If your certificate was issued prior to 1994, you must also submit official scores from the Praxis II content specialization test.
- Interview (Students will be contacted directly by the Faculty Admissions Committee regarding the interview. The interview can be in person or via telephone.)
- On-site writing sample (conducted during interview)
- Students in our M.A. in Special Education program that possess an initial area of certification (CEAS or Standard) must be affiliated with a school district (as a full-time substitute teacher, aide, para, lead teacher, or collaborative teacher) with direct access to the same group of students in a p-12 classroom on a consistent, weekly basis, to complete extensive field-based assignments for several required courses. Students in an Alternate Route (CE) program may be considered only if they show ongoing evidence of working full-time in a lead teaching role, good standing in their CE program, and completion of the CE program before beginning clinical practice
- Only for the Clinical Experiences in Special Education course, the College of Education Office of Clinical Experiences can arrange a special placement if the student does not meet the criteria to complete this in his/her own classroom.
Tuition and Aid
Tuition for Rowan’s online master's in special education and inclusive practices degree is $877 per credit. This competitive graduate rate reflects the high-quality instruction, faculty support and accessibility Rowan offers its students.
Careers and Outcomes
Upcoming virtual information sessions and events
Have questions about earning a master’s degree in special education and inclusive practices online? Rowan Online offers virtual info sessions that provide a closer look at the program and Rowan as a whole. Hear from faculty, connect with admissions representatives and learn how the program supports scholar-practitioners through applied research and flexible coursework.
12 Careers You Can Pursue with a Master's in Special Education
A master’s in special education degree can open more doors than you might expect—both inside and outside the classroom. Whether you’re already teaching or exploring a new career, this degree prepares you for leadership, advocacy, innovation, and hands-on support for students of all abilities. And thanks to flexible online learning options, it’s more accessible than ever.
From classrooms to clinics to leadership roles, here are 12 impactful career paths where your master’s in special education can make a difference—while aligning with your purpose, your schedule, and your strengths.
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