Special Education - Mild to Moderate Disabilities
Master of Arts
Quick Facts
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Prepare to make a meaningful difference for students with diverse learning needs through Arizona Online’s Master of Arts in Special Education – Mild to Moderate Disabilities. This fully online, one-year, asynchronous program leads to Arizona K–12 certification and is accredited by the Arizona Department of Education. Coursework emphasizes evidence-based practices you can apply immediately, from using assessment to guide instruction to developing IEPs, supporting positive behavior, and designing inclusive learning experiences across classroom settings.
Embedded fieldwork, including practicum and student teaching, allows you to gain hands-on experience while continuing to work, with the flexibility to complete placements in your current school or local community. You’ll also build skills in collaboration, working alongside educators, specialists, and families to support student success.
Graduates are prepared for high-demand roles in K–12 special education or to strengthen inclusive practices in general education settings, with potential tuition support available for eligible Arizona residents.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
Use of behavior principles to positively support individuals with disabilities, especially those with moderate and severe disabilities. Graduate-level requirements include in-depth paper(s) on aspects of current issues in the field.
This course focuses on the systematic assessment and instruction of mathematics skills for students with disabilities. Topics include assessment, instructional planning, curriculum modification, and the diagnosis and remediation of persistent error patterns. The course also examines brain functions related to mathematical thinking and the cognitive profiles of learners with math disabilities. Emphasis is placed on using data to inform instruction, designing interventions that address individual learning needs, and evaluating student progress to promote meaningful and lasting mathematical understanding.
This 3-unit course covers reading instruction, including assessments, instructional practices, and interventions to improve student reading proficiency for struggling readers, including students with the characteristics of dyslexia.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the science of reading, the interdisciplinary body of research from cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and education that explains how individuals learn to read and what instructional practices best support literacy development. Grounded in evidence-based findings, students will examine the essential components of reading and spelling, including phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, while also considering language development, orthographic mapping, and the role of background knowledge.
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Master of Arts in Special Education - Mild to Moderate Disabilities will build core skills, including:
- Conducting educational assessments
- Lesson planning
- Collaboration
- Developing IEPs and IEP goals
- Supporting diverse students
Potential Career Paths
For questions regarding the program, please contact Program Director, Jennifer White at jenniferm@arizona.edu
