Online M.Ed.

This program is for you if: 

• You are a current teacher who wants to develop expertise to support students with disabilities and prepare for leadership opportunities.
• You are a professional from another field looking to transition into a rewarding and high-impact career in special education.
• You want to build deep expertise in a specific, high-need area, including dyslexia, behavior management or early childhood studies.
• You need a flexible, part-time program that allows you to earn your master’s degree in about two years while balancing your current job and personal commitments.

• Hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or a related field of study.
• Submit three letters of reference.
• Provide official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.
• Submit a letter of interest outlining your goals and motivations.
• Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
• Please note that GRE scores are not required for admission.

The Teach Well online M.Ed. program in special education no longer requires the GRE for admission.

• Fall admission: June 30*
• Spring admission: November 16
• Summer admission: March 31

*Domestic students only. International student deadline is March 15.

The program offers six specialized tracks: academic, behavior, disabilities in society, dyslexia, early childhood studies or early childhood care and policy. Students can take courses from a single track or mix courses from different tracks to meet their professional goals.

The M.Ed. in Special Education requires 36 total credit hours. All students must complete the 12-credit Teach Well Core (foundations of special education, academic assessment, and behavior intervention courses). The remaining 24 credits come from your chosen track(s): Academic, Behavior, Disabilities in Society, Dyslexia, or Early Childhood Studies. Each track has 3-5 specific courses, with remaining credits filled from any track. You can focus on one track or mix courses across tracks based on your professional interests. Your individualized Program Plan must be approved by a Teach Well Advisor.

We designed this program for working professionals, with classes structured to allow you to balance assignments with the rest of your life.

The program takes two full years to complete (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters).

The M.Ed. in special education requires 36 total credit hours. All students must complete the 12-credit Teach Well core. The remaining 24 credits come from your chosen track(s): academic, behavior, disabilities in society, dyslexia, early childhood studies or early childhood care and policy. Each track has 3-5 specific courses, with the remaining credits filled from any track. You can focus on one track or mix courses across tracks based on your professional interests.

A Teach Well advisor must approve your individualized program plan.

If you are currently a practicing educator, you may also want to reach out to your school district’s Professional Development Coordinator to inquire about other potential sources of funding.

Grades in courses must be a B or better to be eligible for transfer. Transfer credits are more likely to be accepted when they have been earned recently, are from an accredited institution and are clearly related to your current program.

Graduate credits earned at other institutions must be approved by your program and then by the Graduate School after admission. Students can only apply up to 9 credits toward their master’s degree. You will be asked to provide the course name and number, course description and proof of your grade. In some cases, advisors may also ask to see syllabi.

Up to 15 credits of graduate-level coursework earned at UF with a B or better may be applied toward a graduate degree at UF. This is only possible if credit for the course has not contributed to an undergraduate degree and if the academic unit and the Graduate School approve the transfer. This process starts once a student is admitted.