Master of Special Education

Students will develop instructional strategies, inclusion opportunities, and behavior interventions. They will also learn to work with professionals and parents to maximize learning opportunities for children.

To learn more, you can also view the program strengths and learning outcomes for this program.

As an educator, this degree will prepare you to serve children facing a variety of learning and behavioral difficulties. It will give you practical knowledge that you will be able to apply to your classroom and use as you work with children and their families.

To apply for admission, prospective students will need to:

1. Fill out the online application
2. Send in all official transcripts (including undergraduate and graduate)
3. Submit information for at least one reference (a principal or adviser) on the application

Applicants for whom English is a second language must have an adequate command of English as demonstrated by their performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The institutional code is 6171 and the department code is 3101.

If you have had a name change since you graduated, please contact your institution to update the information before requesting a transcript be sent.

Materials can be mailed to:

Dordt University
Graduate Studies Office
700 7th Street NE
Sioux Center, IA 51250

Regular admission is granted to all candidates who have met all of the admission criteria:

• An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 from an accredited institution.
• Official transcripts sent to the Director of Graduate Studies from your undergraduate institution as well as transcripts from any graduate-level course that you would like to have considered for transfer into the program.
• Resume.
• A recommendation form completed by your administrator or supervisor.

Already hold a teaching license and looking to add a Master of Special Education degree? Choose from the following options:

• Instructional Strategist 1
  Intended for the elementary, middle school, or high school classroom teacher, school special educator coordinator, or district special education professional, this program option can add a special education endorsement in mild/moderate to an existing elementary or secondary teaching license.
  This track satisfies the requirements for the K-8 Instructional Strategist 1: Mild/Moderate (260) and 5-12 Instructional Strategist 1: Mild/Moderate (261) endorsements in the State of Iowa. Other states, provinces, or countries may vary.
• Instructional Strategist 1 & 2 - ALL
  Intended for any level classroom teacher, school special educator coordinator, or district special education professional, this program option can add a special education endorsement in behavior disorders and learning disabilities to an existing elementary or secondary teaching license. Other states, provinces, or countries may vary.
  This track satisfies the requirements for the K-12 Instructional Strategist 1 & 2 - ALL (259) endorsement in the State of Iowa. Other states, provinces, or countries may vary.

Looking to earn a Master of Special Education degree along with initial licensure as a teacher? Enroll in the following option:

• Instructional Strategist 1 & 2 - ALL + Initial Teaching License
  Intended for persons without a current teaching license, this track can prepare one for special education teaching in behavior disorders and learning disabilities at any grade level and for roles as a school special educator coordinator, or district special education professional. This track includes a student teaching requirement and two additional courses required for all Iowa teachers. Total requirement: 52 semester hours (15 courses).
  This track satisfies the requirements for the K-12 Instructional Strategist 1 & 2 - ALL (259) endorsement in the State of Iowa. Other states, provinces, or countries may vary.

Additionally, the following option can be added to any of the above programs to prepare you for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA):

• ABA course sequence
  Intended for teachers and special education professionals who wish to be nationally certified to work with behavior analysis in schools, districts, or clinics, this course sequence can be added to any of the tracks above. The course sequence consists of 21 additional credits (9 courses). National behavior analyst standards require certified BCBAs to hold a relevant master’s degree, complete these additional behavior analyst courses, and pass the national BCBA certification exam.

Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are as follows:

• Graduate Courses: $415/credit
• One-time Technology Fee: $100
• Program Completion Fee: $100

Graduate courses taken for graduate credit are worth three credits.

To learn more, visit our tuition and fees page.

You may now pay your tuition and registration fees by credit card.

The Canadian Exchange Rate is determined on the first and 15th of each month and can be viewed online or by contacting the Business Office at (712) 722-6013.