Discuss Today’s Critical Issues
Explore topics such as special education advocacy, policy, and program development and assessment.
Build Your Confidence
In the capstone, work with a K–12 school or organization to identify and mitigate real-world challenges.
Expand Your Capabilities
Broaden your horizons with research and leadership skills that can serve you both professionally and academically.
Program Details
Curriculum
Completion Requirements
- 45 quarter credits
Education Specialist candidates must have access to a school or learning environment that services students with special education approved educational plans.
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0539.
Admission Requirements
Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply.
More information for international applicants.
Tuition and Fees
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 45 quarter credit hours | $640 per quarter hour | $28,800 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $170 | $1,530 |
| $30,330* |
Effective February 26, 2024
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 45 quarter credit hours | $655 per quarter hour | $29,475 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $175 | $1,575 |
| $31,050* |
*This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included.
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
All EdS graduates will be prepared to:
- Apply discipline-specific knowledge to address issues in educational settings.
- Apply evidence-based practices to address a problem within the academic and/or work environment and propose a solution.
- Communicate information to a variety of stakeholders using oral and written formats.
- Practice ethically as a professional in the field of education.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to promote continuous improvement in educational settings.
- Advocate for social change to make a positive impact in educational settings.
Specialization Learning Outcomes
In addition to the shared EdS learning outcomes above, Special Education graduates will be prepared to:
- Follow policies surrounding ethical and legal practices that support high-quality education for individuals with diverse educational, behavioral, emotional, and cultural learning needs.
- Apply valid, research-based assessment measures to facilitate learning and behavioral interventions for individuals with diverse educational, behavioral, emotional, and cultural learning needs.
- Evaluate special education programs, including the integration of related services (e.g., assistive technology, behavioral intervention, transition, inclusion) for individuals with exceptionalities based upon an understanding of individual differences
- Distinguish research-based strategies used to improve data decision making, support, and services for individuals with diverse educational, behavioral, emotional, and cultural learning needs.
- Support the continuous improvement of education programs, supports, and services for individuals with exceptionalities.
- Effectively communicate with stakeholders to improve outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities and their families.
- Design a scholarly response to address a special education problem and contribute to the profession.
Become a Special Education Change Agent
In this non-licensure, online EdS in Special Education program, you’ll learn how to work effectively with families and school staff to enhance special education practice. Engage in relevant case studies that require collaborative problem-solving and the implementation of research-based strategies. Demonstrate your knowledge through a personalized capstone project that allows you to focus on a real problem of practice in a K–12 setting.
Career Outlook
Your talent, compassion, and love for teaching have gotten you this far in your career. Now, strengthen your impact as an educator and advocate with an EdS in Special Education.
With an education specialist degree in special education, you can deepen your expertise and open doors to new professional opportunities. Earn a valuable academic credential, and at a lower cost, than it takes to earn an EdD or PhD in Education—and transfer seamlessly into a doctoral program later if you choose to.
An EdS in Special Education can help prepare you to pursue career options such as:2
- Lead special education teacher
- Special education department chairperson
- Special education coordinator
An EdS in Special Education can help prepare you to work in settings such as:
- Public, private, and charter schools
- Colleges and universities
- Community organizations and businesses
- State departments of education
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
1Source: National Center for Education Statistics, web page updated May 2020
2Source: Labor Insights (Burning Glass Technologies). Industry Analysis, Active selections "nationwide" AND last 12 months” AND “Industry: special education services” AND “education: master’s” Retrieved April 2020
Note on Educator Licensure or Certification
This program does not lead to educator licensure or certification. Educators are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.