Master in Special Education and Teaching (Master's)

Tuition is Tuition and fees are available through the university's financial aid office; specific costs are not listed on the page..

Graduates are qualified to advance their careers as general education teachers with enhanced skills in supporting students with diverse learning needs. This program is designed for current teachers holding a California teaching credential. It focuses on adapting curriculum and instruction for students with disabilities through online coursework and field-based projects.

Focus areas include Special Education, Curriculum Adaptation, Classroom Environment Design, Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners, Applied Research in Education, Professional Development Planning.

The program requires 35 semester units, with 18 units in core courses and 17 units in concentration-specific electives. Students complete either a research project (M.A.) or a five-chapter thesis (M.S.).

Graduates typically advance in roles as general education teachers with expanded responsibilities in supporting students with special education needs within K-12 school settings.

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and possess a valid California teaching credential. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required, though exceptions may be considered. Applicants must submit official transcripts, a 2-3 page essay, and two professional recommendations.

The programme totals about 35 credit hours. Fully online, asynchronous, with start dates available in six quads per year. Program duration averages 12 to 20 months depending on enrollment pace. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 82% of applicants.

Point Loma Nazarene University’s identity is shaped by a Christ-centered mission focused on academic, personal, and spiritual growth. Students are encouraged to discover their calling, serve their communities, and develop purposeful leadership alongside professional skills. Chapel supports spiritual formation and invites students to respond to a call to minister and serve. The university serves traditional undergraduates, graduate students, working adults, transfer students, and online learners across Southern California.

Academic options span health science and nursing, counseling, education, biology, business, leadership, ministry, special education, and kinesiology. Graduate offerings include master’s degrees, a doctorate in nursing practice, and certificates, while online programs include fields such as psychology, child development, public administration, business administration, counseling, education, and nursing. Programs may be face-to-face, hybrid, or online. The Point Loma campus covers 90 acres along the Pacific Ocean and is home to more than 2,000 undergraduates. Graduate and accelerated undergraduate students can study through regional centers, including the Mission Valley Regional Center, which supports accelerated undergraduate education. International students should expect a faith-centered learning environment, opportunities for service, and a campus community that connects academic work with personal and spiritual development.