MS Special Education
Master of Science Special Education (K-12)
For mild to moderate disabilities
Degree Details:
Tuition and Fees The WGU Washington Advantage Time to Completion Admission RequirementsDegree Overview
WGU Washington’s online master’s in special education will prepare you to fill a crucial teaching position. The MS in Special Education (K-12) will enhance your teaching talents and enable you to teach students with mild to moderate cross-categorical disabilities. You will become a special education teacher with the instructional design skills to make a difference.
Who the program is for:
- Licensed teachers with bachelor’s degrees who are interested in moving into Special Education instruction.
Note: As part of Western Governors University, WGU Washington is NCATE accredited.
Your Program of Study
In WGU Washington’s online special education master’s degree, you’ll learn the essential skills and knowledge needed to become a highly qualified special education teacher. This program includes three domains of study and completion of a capstone project.
Instructional Design and Performance Improvement
Research Fundamentals
Special Education
Total Program: 40 Competency Units (credit equivalents)
More details about your challenging course of study
Tuition and Fees
Basic Tuition: $2,890 per six-month term
Resource Fee: $145 per six-month term (non-refundable)
Application Fee: $65 (one time)
Learn more about Tuition and Fees
At WGU Washington, tuition is charged at a flat rate once every six months. Your tuition covers the minimum "full-time load" of competency units (the equivalent to credit hours)—8 CUs is the minimum for graduate students—as well as all coursework attempted in that time. For the most part, there is no limit on the number of competency units you can attempt in a 6-month term. Whether you complete more or fewer units, you are charged the same flat rate.
Tuition compares favorably to the rates of Washington state universities. Our tuition is also typically half what other reputable online universities charge. At WGU Washington, you enjoy the cost savings of a nonprofit university.
Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify. Learn more about financial aid
The WGU Washington Advantage
WGU Washington leverages Western Governors University’s unique, competency-based approach to education. This approach measures learning, not time spent in class. Your progress is based on your demonstration of essential skills and knowledge in special education.
As a WGU Washington student, you’ll receive a top-notch education through a curriculum, learning resources, mentoring, and student services provided by Western Governors University. This means you’ll enjoy the advantages of:
- Superior learning resources. You'll have access to all of Western Governors University’s courses of study, learning modules, e-textbooks, tutorials, and simulations as you complete your program.
- Personal support from a dedicated mentor. You'll have the support of a mentor who will be your guide throughout your WGU Washington program.
- Online communities from Washington and WGU's national student community. You’ll be able to take advantage of our robust student community and interact with students from both within Washington and from all over the country.
- Flexible online degrees that fit your lifestyle. Learning can occur anywhere and anytime. You'll be able to establish the pace at which you complete your rigorous program and create a schedule that works for you.
One of the best values in Washington higher education, WGU Washington will enable you to earn a relevant degree on your schedule and within your budget.
Time to Completion
How long it takes for you to complete your program will vary. Because WGU Washington is competency-based, the pace at which you complete your program depends on how quickly you are able to take and pass the required assessments. Many students are able to proceed faster than the normal pace (described below) designed into each program. But doing so isn’t easy.
Standard Time to Completion: 2 to 2½ years.Speak to an Enrollment Counselor for a personalized estimate of your time to completion.
Admissions Requirements
To enroll into this WGU Washington program, you must:
- Possess and provide proof of earning a bachelor’s degree (BA or B.S.) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Possess a current, valid teaching license.
- Complete Western Governors University's three-part online Readiness Assessment. This test helps determine your likelihood for success in a WGU Washington degree program.
Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can help you understand what is required of you.
"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is pleased that WGU will be helping expand access to educational opportunity in Washington. This new university will provide an important option by offering working adults in Washington another way to get a quality college degree—one that measures learning rather than time spent in class and puts student success at the center of everything it does."
—Hilary Pennington
Director of Education, Postsecondary Success, and Special Initiatives, U.S. Program
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
"WGU has been the perfect solution for me as it is very affordable, flexible, and responsive to my needs with their extensive mentor system. I have received excellent support at every turn and with this help I expect to graduate in 2 years instead of the usual 4 while still being able to provide for my family."
—Scott Fladgard
College of Business Student, Kingston, WA
"A key aspect of WGU is how you can credibly use work experience to enhance your education experience. By demonstrating my competency in a subject, I know I will be well prepared for my career."
—Jim Parker
College of Business Student, Kirkland, WA
