Special Education K-6 or 6-12 Alt. M.Ed. (Online)

The Alternative Master of Education in Special Education online graduate degree prepares individuals who have an undergraduate degree but do not have any type of teacher certification. Students choose elementary (K-6) or secondary (6-12) areas of specialization. This 42-hour program prepares individuals without previous training in education to be special education teachers. The coursework can be completed entirely online. However, some of the courses are also offered with portions online or on campus. There are practicum and student teaching requirements where students will be in K-12 settings with students with disabilities. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the Class A, K-6 or 6-12 Collaborative Teacher Certificate.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

*USA students applying to a USA graduate program in the College of Education and Professional Studies should complete a transcript request form (PDF) found on the University Registrar's Office website.

In the Name/Organization field for the transcript recipient write, "USA Graduate School". There is no charge associated with this request. This option applies only to USA transcripts for students applying to USA graduate programs.

GPA Requirement: A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or a master’s or higher degree with a GPA of at least 3.0. This GPA must be documented on the official transcript of the degree granting institution and must be the GPA that was used as the basis for granting the degree, not a GPA that includes post-degree courses.

GPA Exception for unconditional admission to Alternative Class A State Department of Education-approved programs: Individuals who have earned a bachelor 's degree from a regionally accredited institution at the time the degree was earned and do not meet the minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5, but have at least a 2.0 overall undergraduate GPA, may seek provisional admission to an Alternative Class A program if the alternate score on the Alabama prescribed Praxis subject-area test is obtained. The alternate scores can be found on the Alternate Score Requirements document at www.alsde.edu (Department Offices: Educator Assessment: Educator Assessment Policies). The ONLY tests and scores accepted are those listed on the Alternate Score Requirements document. All other requirements for admission must also be met.

Clear Alabama State Department of Education background check.

Registration

Verification

Complete Option 1: Passing score on the Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle and 12 hours of coursework in English or Option 2: Twelve hours of coursework in each of the following four areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies.