University of North Texas

Master’s in Special Education (M.Ed.) Concentrations 

Our 33-credit hour online master’s programs equip professionals with evidence-based strategies, assessment skills, behavior management, collaboration, and transition planning to ensure comprehensive support of students with diverse needs in K-12 settings. We offer four concentration areas: (a) Autism Intervention, (b) Bilingual Special Education, (c) Educational Diagnostician, and (d) High-Incidence Disabilities. Concentrations require a shared core of courses in educational psychology and special education, with an additional 18 hours of specialized coursework.

Certificates and Teacher Certification Programs 

Graduate Academic Certificate (GAC) in Autism Intervention: This is a one-year, 15-credit-hour program aimed at educators, related service professionals, or family members seeking to deepen their understanding of autism. 

Educational Diagnostician Certificate 

This certification is for individuals with a master’s degree who seek to become educational diagnosticians. Students complete up to 27 credit hours online depending on prior coursework, gaining the skills to assess and advocate for students with diverse learning needs. 

Instructional Model to Prepare Adept Certified Teachers (IMPACT) Program 

This special education teacher certification program is for those with undergraduate degrees in other areas. It consists of online coursework, field observation hours, and a student teaching or practicum experience. This flexible program typically takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete. 

Special Education PhD 

This 63-credit-hour, in-person PhD program is designed to develop scholars, researchers, and leaders in the field. Students complete courses in educational psychology, research, and special education (autism, learning disabilities, behavior disorders), a dissertation, and professional activities (e.g., grant writing, conference presentations, publications).