With a special education degree, you’ll support students and their families while motivating students to meet their goals and live meaningful lives.
At a glance
Delivery
Online
Finish in as few as
19-31 months
Estimated tuition
$23,370
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Meet Your Counselor
Kristin Melendez
At Bethel, we're committed to helping you get the most out of your education. Your enrollment counselor is here to help you balance your program with your personal life and career goals.Program highlights
Experienced faculty
Our professors are leading researchers and practitioners with experience in multiple specialties. Their experiences help make the coursework relevant to the real-world classroom.
Practical experience
You’ll practice what you’re learning so you are prepared to make a real difference in the K-12 educational setting.
Student success
We’re committed to helping you succeed from admission to graduation. You’ll be supported by advisors and professors who are caring and ensure that you have everything you need.
Flexibility
Our program can be completed mostly online and is designed for people who work full time, have families, and are involved in their community. Courses begin every six weeks, allowing you to start throughout the year and finish in as few as 18 months, plus a thesis—though students who need to complete the Standards of Effective Practice Concentration require more time.
Christian environment
We integrate faith into ideas and practices. In this way, we model how your values and beliefs influence your teaching and scholarship.
Scholarship Opportunities
Some scholarship opportunities may be applied to the program, including scholarships through the Minnesota Low Incidence Project.
Our mission
In our adult-undergraduate and graduate education programs, we lead in faith-based teacher preparation and are committed to evidence-based innovation in education. We prepare our educators like you to implement academic excellence in K-12 classrooms and beyond while valuing the unique qualities of each individual, understanding that everyone is made in God’s image (Imago Dei). Learn more about our program's mission.
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Preparing Compassionate, Competent Educational Leaders.
Here, we recognize that teaching children with disabilities is a high calling. Our faculty members—who are both recognized researchers and practitioners in multiple specialties within the field—train special education teachers to serve students, teachers, and families from a mindset of Christian values. With this frame, you’ll help create a positive environment that will keep your students engaged in learning and your work rewarding. Our multiple licensure options will help you lead in the largest growing field in education.
30
years licensing special education teachers
100%
pass rate for MN Teacher Licensure Exam in Special Ed Foundational Skills
Considering entering the field of special education, I felt that it was extremely important to be prepared for the task that lay ahead of me. Bethel challenged me both intellectually and spiritually and I am truly grateful for the opportunity.
Mary Fleetwood '15Current job: Special Education Teacher
The program was great and very practical. It really gave me the opportunity to practice the skills learned in classes.
Aldo Cantellano '13Current job: Dean of Students
Bethel provided me with a fantastic education and prepared me for teaching in a school setting. They were understanding, flexible, and creative in scheduling my classes so that I was able to teach full-time while still attending classes 3 hours away.
Derek Bauer '15Current job: Special Education Teacher in Grand Rapids, MN
It’s clear that Bethel students have servants’ hearts and want to use these experiences to truly care for students. And I can’t even quantify the value of the student-faculty rapport, but as an educator, it’s really exciting to see!
Melissa HayesElementary Special Education Director, Anoka-Hennepin
Career Outcomes
Outcomes
Our master's degree in special education program will help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to be a confident, compassionate, successful teacher serving kids, families, and communities.
Skills
Learn how to:
- Effectively teach students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities
- Develop strategies for managing academic and behavioral challenges
- Ethically carry out legal requirements of special education
- Collaborate with parents and colleagues
- Engage with students from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds
- Use a range of technology tools to interpret, evaluate, and apply information
Careers
Our graduates become:
- Special education teachers in public, private, and charter schools
- Early childhood special education teachers
- Directors of special education
- Principals
- Superintendents
- instructional coordinators
Areas of Study
Our graduates go on to obtain additional licenses or degrees in the following areas:
Start your journey
Apply now
You're called to accomplish incredible things. Take the next step in your career and fill out our simple, straightforward application today.
