Teachers wishing to advance their current knowledge and earn a special education endorsement on their teaching license will find several Master’s in Special Education Degree Programs in Tennessee. These programs encompass a range of specializations, from mild and moderate special needs to profound special needs, visual impairment and hearing impairment. Each of these programs is accredited by regional accrediting organizations, as well as specialized education, counseling and professional organizations.
East Tennessee State University
School of Graduate Studies
The School of Graduate Studies has a wide variety of degree options, from audiology, speech pathology and allied health to computer science, special education, accounting, nursing and chemistry. There are also non-degree options available for students seeking certificates or continuing education programs. The programs in the School of Graduate Studies emphasize advanced understanding, diversity among ideas, interdependent thought and collaboration.
Special Education, M.Ed. (Advanced Studies in Special Education Concentration)
This specialization prepares teachers to become licensed in modified and comprehensive special education. The program’s emphasis is on training teachers to work with a full spectrum of special needs, from mild to severe, using the least restrictive environment and collaboration with families and specialists.
Special Education, M.Ed. (Early Childhood Special Education Concentration)
Students in the ECSE program will be prepared to work with children from birth through eight years of age, as well as their families. Students in this program are trained to work as a team with the child’s family in order to best meet the child’s needs. Upon completion of the program, candidates will be eligible to sit for the Tennessee licensure examination in early childhood special education.
Special Education, M.Ed. (Advanced Practitioner Concentration)
The Advanced Practitioner Concentration is for students who already have a valid teaching license. This concentration is student-led with the completion plan based on the student’s interests and professional needs.
Accreditations
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The education department is also approved by the Tennessee Department of Education.
Contact
East Tennessee State University
School of Graduate Studies
PO Box 70267
Johnson City, TN 37614
(423) 439-6148
goodyear@etsu.edu
https://catalog.etsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=10&poid=3270&returnto=482
The University of Memphis
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at the University of Memphis was founded over 100 years ago. Today, there are more than 3,000 enrolled students in 57 degree programs. The college’s programs range from education to counseling and rehabilitation. The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences is also home to the Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School and Research Institute and the Campus Elementary School, which are two of around 100 university-level laboratory schools in the United States.
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.): Special Education
The M.A.T. program is available for those who do not already possess a valid teaching license. Specializations available include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), high incidence disabilities (modified special education) and severe intellectual disabilities (comprehensive special education).
Master of Science (M.S.): Special Education
This program is nearly identical to the M.A.T. program, with the same concentrations offered. However, the M.S. program is designed for those who already hold a valid teaching license. Because of this, the length of the program is considerably shorter for those seeking to add a special education endorsement to their existing teaching license. However, this program is available for those who do not have a teaching license, provided they are pursuing certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Accreditations
University of Memphis is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the special education program has earned accreditation from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Contact
University of Memphis
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
411C Ball Hall
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-1160
lpcasey@memphis.edu
Vanderbilt University
Peabody College of Education and Human Development
The Peabody College of Education and Human Development is one of the nation’s leading teaching schools. The college offers undergraduate, master’s, Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs. In addition, the Peabody College hosts the Peabody Professional Institutes program, designed to provide short-term and intensive training opportunities for professional educators.
Special Education Master’s Degree (M.Ed.): Early Childhood M.Ed. Program
The ECSE program is a two year program that prepares teachers to work with children from birth through eight years old who have special needs of varying severities, from mild to profound. This program also prepares teachers to work with children who are at risk for poverty-induced learning difficulties.
Special Education Master’s Degree (M.Ed.): High Incidence M.Ed. Program
The High Incidence program prepares teachers to work with children who have mild cognitive delays, learning disabilities or behavior disorders. This program requires a six hour student teaching appointment, in addition to coursework.
Special Education Master’s Degree (M.Ed.): Severe Disabilities Program
This program is intended for teachers who would like to work with children who have profound disabilities, such as autism, intellectual disabilities or multiple disabilities. The program meets criteria for Tennessee’s “comprehensive disabilities” endorsement.
Special Education Master’s Degree (M.Ed.): Applied Behavior Analysis Certification Program
The ABA program is an 18 month program designed for those who would like to work with children on the autism spectrum or who have developmental disabilities. The coursework and internship qualify students to sit for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board Exam to be certified as a BCBA.
Special Education Master’s Degree (M.Ed.): Visual Disabilities M.Ed. Program
Students in this program will be qualified to teach children from birth to age 22 who have visual impairments. Qualified students who already have a valid teaching license can receive full tuition, flexible practicum experiences and cost of living stipends.
Master in Education of the Deaf
This program is offered through the School of Medicine in order to prepare future teachers to work with students who are deaf or hearing impaired. This one year program requires that all applicants have an undergraduate degree and certification in deaf education, early childhood education, special education or general education. This program also has 100% tuition assistance to many of the program participants.
Accreditations
Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the special education program holds accreditations from National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), CEC (Council for Exceptional Children), CACREP (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs) and the Tennessee Department of Education.
Contact
Vanderbilt University
College of Education and Human Development
230 Appleton Place
Nashville, TN 37203
larashia.grafton@Vanderbilt.edu
(615)-322-8150
http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/special_education_med/index.php
A career in special education can be a challenging, yet highly rewarding choice. Many teachers will have a special needs child in their classrooms and pursuing Master’s in Special Education Degree Programs in Tennessee can help every teacher be more prepared to effectively teach, whether the teacher wishes to remain a general education teacher or become a special education professional.
