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Special Education Programs Online

Pursue a rewarding career in special education and qualify for in-demand roles

Make a difference in the lives of children and adolescents with diverse learning needs, from the gifted and talented to those with high-incidence disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and high-functioning autism. ESU’s CAEP-accredited, 100% online special education programs offer you a convenient, affordable path to gaining licensure or earning your master’s degree while maintaining a work-life balance. Take advantage of our streamlined admission process and multiple start dates so that you can complete your program ready to meet the demand for educators with highly specialized skills.

Why choose an online education program from ESU?

  • Affordable tuition: Budget-friendly, pay-by-the-course tuition puts your degree within reach
  • 24/7 access to coursework: Learn at your own pace with asynchronous coursework you can access online anytime from anywhere you have a Wi-Fi signal
  • Teaching excellence: Our supportive, experienced faculty members are committed to helping you excel in your field
  • Generous credit transfer policy: Transfer in nine or more credit hours to minimize time to completion and total tuition

Which online special education program is right for you?

Master of Science in Special Education – Gifted, Talented, and Creative online

GRADUATE DEGREE

Master of Science in Special Education – Gifted, Talented, and Creative

As few as 12 months Duration
30 Credit Hours
$10,290* Total Tuition

Help highly capable students achieve their maximum potential with an MS in Special Education – Gifted, Talented, and Creative. In this CAEP-accredited online program, you will develop methods and procedures for educating gifted learners, including proactive and preventative approaches for common behavior management and sensory issues. Plus, as a recognized teachers college, Emporia State University prides itself on its outstanding instructors: You will learn how to identify, instruct, and assess gifted learners from the same qualified faculty who teach on campus.

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Master of Science in Special Education – High Incidence online

GRADUATE DEGREE

Master of Science in Special Education – High Incidence

As few as 12 months Duration
30 Credit Hours
$10,290* Total Tuition

The MS in SPED – High Incidence online program is ideal for working teachers who want to support students in special education with high-incidence disabilities. Highly experienced faculty will provide you with the instructional strategies and classroom management techniques necessary to create engaging learning experiences for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs.

This CAEP-accredited program curriculum meets the endorsement standards for both early childhood through late childhood (grades K through 6) and early adolescence through late adolescence (grades 6 through 12).

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Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure online

GRADUATE DEGREE

Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure

As few as 6 months Duration
15 Credit Hours
$5,145* Total Tuition

Nurture the educational and social development of gifted learners when you complete your Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure online program. In this CAEP-accredited program, you will prepare to instruct, encourage, and challenge students with exceptional creative and academic abilities. Highly qualified faculty will enhance your ability to identify high-performing students, develop their capabilities, and maintain their advancements through curriculum and assessments adapted to their individual strengths and weaknesses.

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High Incidence Licensure online

GRADUATE DEGREE

High Incidence Licensure

As few as 6 months Duration
21 Credit Hours
$7,203* Total Tuition

Complete the coursework requirements for licensure while preparing to help students with special needs thrive. Learn proven programming and strategies to set up primary and secondary students with mild and moderate disabilities for success, and earn your endorsement in less time than it would take to complete a master’s degree program. This CAEP-accredited program offers supervised practical experience with special learners as an observer and in a variety of co-teaching and consulting roles.

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*Tuition is subject to change on an annual basis.

The Teachers College at Emporia State is accredited under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation standards through the CAEP accreditation system, for a period of seven years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about Emporia State special education master’s and licensure programs for teachers and administrators

Yes. Both MS programs accept up to nine qualifying transfer credit hours from graduate-level coursework in special education, gifted education, research methods, or related areas. Transferring nine hours reduces the total program cost and can shorten completion time.
MS in SPED – GTC graduates are prepared for gifted and talented educator roles delivering specialized instruction, supporting general education colleagues, and advocating for gifted learners at the K-12 level. MS in SPED – High Incidence graduates are prepared to support students with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges. The curriculum meets endorsement standards for K–6 and grades 6–12.
Tuition for all programs is $343 per credit hour ($1,029 per course); all fees included. It is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Total tuition: MS in SPED – GTC $10,290; MS in SPED – High Incidence $10,290; GTC Licensure $5,145; High Incidence Licensure $7,203. Pay by the course and align your education costs with your district’s tuition reimbursement schedule. ESU participates in federal financial aid programs.
The MS programs (GTC and High Incidence — both 30 credit hours and as few as 12 months) are graduate degrees that provide comprehensive preparation for career roles in special education that may advance your salary on a district pay scale. The licensure programs (GTC Licensure: 15 credit hours, 6 months and High Incidence Licensure: 21 credit hours, 6 months) lead to endorsements for educators with a teaching license who want to add a specialized credential quickly and at a lower cost. ESU special education programs do not lead to initial teaching licensure.
Yes. All ESU special education programs feature 100% online coursework with no scheduled class times. Courses run in 7-week accelerated sessions. Supervised practicums can be completed in your own school or classroom setting. You can earn your ESU special education master’s in as few as 12 months or complete a licensure program in six months. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year.
Admission requirements for both MS in Special Education programs (GTC and High Incidence) include a current teaching license, a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 credit hours (or a completed master's with 3.0 GPA), and official transcripts from all institutions attended. The same admission requirements apply to the GTC Licensure and High Incidence Licensure programs. No GRE is required. Up to nine transfer credit hours may be accepted in the MS programs.  
  • Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure
  • MS in Special Education – High Incidence
  • MS in Special Education – Gifted, Talented, and Creative
  • High Incidence Licensure

Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure

Duration: 6 months Credit Hours: 15 Tuition: $343 {tuition_specification_type_per_course}*

Apply by: 8/10/26 Start class: 8/24/26

Nurture the educational and social development of gifted learners when you complete your Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure online program. In this CAEP-accredited program, you will prepare to instruct, encourage, and challenge students with exceptional creative and academic abilities. Highly qualified faculty will enhance your ability to identify high-performing students, develop their capabilities, and maintain their advancements through curriculum and assessments adapted to their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Apply Now Request Info

Master of Science in Special Education – High Incidence

Duration: 12 months Credit Hours: 30 Tuition: $343 {tuition_specification_type_per_course}* Transfer Credits: 9

Apply by: 8/10/26 Start class: 8/24/26

The MS in SPED – High Incidence online program is ideal for working teachers who want to support students in special education with high-incidence disabilities. Highly experienced faculty will provide you with the instructional strategies and classroom management techniques necessary to create engaging learning experiences for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs.

This CAEP-accredited program curriculum meets the endorsement standards for both early childhood through late childhood (grades K through 6) and early adolescence through late adolescence (grades 6 through 12).

Apply Now Request Info

Master of Science in Special Education – Gifted, Talented, and Creative

Duration: 12 months Credit Hours: 30 Tuition: $343 {tuition_specification_type_per_course}* Transfer Credits: 9

Apply by: 8/10/26 Start class: 8/24/26

Help highly capable students achieve their maximum potential with an MS in Special Education – Gifted, Talented, and Creative. In this CAEP-accredited online program, you will develop methods and procedures for educating gifted learners, including proactive and preventative approaches for common behavior management and sensory issues. Plus, as a recognized teachers college, Emporia State University prides itself on its outstanding instructors: You will learn how to identify, instruct, and assess gifted learners from the same qualified faculty who teach on campus.

Apply Now Request Info

High Incidence Licensure

Duration: 6 months Credit Hours: 21 Tuition: $343 {tuition_specification_type_per_course}* Transfer Credits: 9

Apply by: 8/10/26 Start class: 8/24/26

Complete the coursework requirements for licensure while preparing to help students with special needs thrive. Learn proven programming and strategies to set up primary and secondary students with mild and moderate disabilities for success, and earn your endorsement in less time than it would take to complete a master’s degree program. This CAEP-accredited program offers supervised practical experience with special learners as an observer and in a variety of co-teaching and consulting roles.

Apply Now Request Info

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