Special Education Online - VA Licensure

  • Master of Science in Education
  • Darden College of Education & Professional Studies
  • Department of Communication Disorders & Special Education

Reach and teach individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings with ODU's online Master of Science in Education, Special Education.

In this program, you may choose an endorsement in:

  • early childhood special education
  • special education: general curriculum K-12 (mild disabilities)
  • special education: adapted curriculum K-12 (severe disabilities)

Are you pursuing an adapted curriculum endorsement? You may qualify for tuition assistance from the Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Special Education Adapted Curriculum. Learn more at the Darden College of Education web site.

This program is designed to lead to Virginia teacher licensure. If you want to be licensed in a different state, we encourage you to check your state's teacher licensure requirements before applying.

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    • 30-45 credit hours
  • Participate in live, regularly scheduled online class meetings and access course materials online from any location. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

    • Teaching: Pre-school, Primary, Elementary
    • Administration: Principalship, Superintendency 
    • Special Services: Guidance Counseling, School Psychology, School Social Work, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Audiology and Speech Pathology, Library/Information Services, Special Education, Curriculum Supervision, Subject Area Supervision

    Note for students in Washington State from the Student Achievement Council:

    "Eligibility for initial education certification in Washington is based on completion of a state approved educator preparation program. This program is approved in Virginia and is authorized for field placements in Washington by the Professional Educators Standards Board. Even though you may be residing in Washington while in this program, your application for educator certification in Washington will be processed as an out-of-state application. Go to http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/archive/outofstate for more information. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for teacher advancement."

  • In-state Virginia Residents
    $599 per credit hour*
    Out-of-state Students
    $623 per credit hour

    Rates are effective Fall 2023 and subject to change.
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

This program is designed to equip students for a Virginia teaching license with a special education endorsement. This program is also authorized for field placements in Washington state, and WA students will be able to apply for educator certification using the out-of-state application.

Use these links to see if we have determined whether this program meets requirements in other states. We encourage you to check your state's teacher licensure requirements before applying to ODU.

You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.

  • This program is designed to prepare students for Virginia teacher licensure. Admission to the graduate program in special education is granted by the department's graduate program director in conjunction with special education faculty.

    For more information on becoming a teacher, please contact us with the form above or visit ODU's Office of Clinical Experiences online.

  • You may be able to take up to four courses (12 credit hours) as a non-degree graduate student, before you are accepted into a specific degree program. 

    Please contact us to discuss this option with an expert advisor.