Education M.Ed. - Special Education
45 Credit Program
Program Description
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education is designed for individuals seeking to earn their mild/moderate special education teaching certification in the State of Arizona while completing a graduate degree in education.
Rooted in evidence-based pedagogy, culturally responsive practice, and learner-centered instructional design, the program is designed to provide candidates with the theoretical knowledge, practical strategies, and classroom-based experience utilized by educators in their school communities. Coursework is aligned with Arizona Department of Education certification requirements and integrates content on curriculum planning, instructional methods, classroom management, assessment, and the integration of technology to support student learning.
Candidates will engage in structured support from university faculty and field supervisors throughout their internship, ensuring mentorship, feedback, and alignment with professional teaching standards.
The Arizona State Board of Education has approved this program as an Educator Preparation Program leading to educator certification. Upon program completion, AIU will submit its Institutional Recommendation to the Board; it is the candidate’s responsibility to complete the certification process with the state.
AIU's Master of Education (M.Ed.) is programmatically accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Program Learning Outcomes:
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Demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills required for effective practice as a professional educator or education leader.
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Develop instructional strategies and educational programming informed by educational theory to meet appropriate individual and group learning needs.
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Critically assess the growth and development of all learners.
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Facilitate language development, language acquisition, literacy development, and communication as appropriate for the learner population.
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Design appropriate, evidence-based learning support and interventions for learners with exceptionalities, in alignment with federal and state legal requirements.
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Integrate current educational technology tools and systems in educational design and programming.
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Support the cognitive, social, and emotional development of learners.
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Collaborate with families, communities, and other stakeholders to enhance the educational experience and support student learning.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
This program supports aspiring educators who are currently employed in an Arizona PreK-12 school on a temporary Arizona certification and are eligible to serve as a teacher of record for a full academic year, allowing them to complete the required one-year internship within a classroom setting.
In addition to the existing general graduate admissions requirements, prospective candidates must meet the following requirements in order to be officially admitted to this program.
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Hold a valid emergency teaching certificate, alternative teaching certificate, or standard teaching certificate for the State of Arizona
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Hold current employment contracted for at least one academic year as a teacher of record with an Arizona PreK-12 educational institution that
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is an AIU educational alliance member, and
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has signed (or will agree to sign) an internship partnership agreement with the University, and
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Have identified a supervising teacher mentor with an Arizona Teacher Certification and a current classification of highly effective or effective pursuant to ARS §§ 15-537.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to have their location and supervising practitioner identified and approved before starting the program.
Candidates must maintain employment and serve as the teacher of record in a classroom at an institution with an active agreement (items 2a and 2b above) and have an approved supervising teacher mentor (item 3 above) for the duration of the program. Teaching assignments within the school must align with the appropriate grade level and content area of intended certification. Candidates must complete a one year internship and required evaluations and observations in an approved Arizona school under the supervision of an approved teacher mentor.
Candidates are conditionally admitted pending receipt of all documentation related to the program admissions requirements listed above. Required documentation must be received in order for the candidate to begin classes. Upon receipt and review of these documents, candidates may be officially admitted to the University as a regular student.
Licensure Disclosure
AIU has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following state: AZ.
AIU has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following states: AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.
Last update 6/17/2026
Requirements
Program Core
| ELEM 514 | Research-Based Literacy Instruction | 4.5 |
| MED 502 | Foundations of Education: Professional Knowledge, Ethics, and Dispositions | 4.5 |
| MED 504 | Education Law: US and AZ Constitutions | 4.5 |
| MED 507 | Human Development, Language Acquisition, and Literacy | 4.5 |
| MED 508 | Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Literacy | 4.5 |
| MED 510 | Teacher Education Capstone | 4.5 |
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| SEI 501 | Structured English Immersion and Learning Exceptionality in Elementary Education | 4.5 |
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| SEI 502 | Structured English Immersion and Learning Exceptionality in Secondary Education | 4.5 |
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| SPED 501 | Instructional Foundations and Technology Supports for Mild to Moderate Disabilities | 4.5 |
| SPED 503 | Learning Environments, Behavioral Supports, and Assessment in Special Education | 4.5 |
| SPED 505 | Special Education Law, IEP Development, and Transition Planning | 4.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 |
Total Credit Hours: 45