Embedded Files
Are you a new student? Begin by reviewing the New Student Checklist for your program pathway:
Academic Advising
Academic Advising
Your academic advising team is Team Educator Prep!
Phone: (602) 496-1397; M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm AZ Time (MST)
Email: GradEdPrep@asu.edu - Please give us 24-48 hours to respond to your email
Add our email to your address book or list of safe senders
Make an appointment: https://calendly.com/d/3tr-7d9-5hv
Partnership/Specialized Cohort Students please use this link: https://calendly.com/d/cqn4-fvz-vrm
Appointments are highly encouraged especially for new students or if you have multiple questions or complex issues to discuss.
To call or schedule an appointment? Here are some guidelines for determining which is most appropriate.
Meet the Team (click to learn more)
Your advising team works together in a system to keep you informed, on track, and supported throughout your program. Here is some information about the roles within the team.
Your Academic Advisors:
Aile DeRienzo - Academic Success Advisor, Sr
Kayla Kane - Academic Success Advisor, Sr
Amber Mesko - Academic Success Advising Coordinator
Jordan Moore - Academic Success Advisor
Aile, Amber, Jordan and Kayla are the core members of your advising team, who you will interact with most frequently. They are experts on your program and can assist with all things academic.
Other members of the advising system:
Lizzy Shuey - Student Support Specialist - Helps to support the work of the advisors. You may hear from Lizzy about things like registration, submitting your iPOS/Plan of Study, etc.
Langley Dunn - Student Support Specialist - Helps to support the work of the advisors. You may hear from Langley about things like registration, submitting your iPOS/Plan of Study, etc.
Tiffany Williams - Academic Success Advising Coordinator, Sr - Works behind the scenes to coordinate advising, though you may hear from her occasionally.
Megan Gamarra - Coordinated Care Strategist - Works with students who need coordinated care. If you are experiencing difficulties and need support, know that you can submit an "SOS" form and receive assistance from the coordinated care team.
Program Description
Program Description
Students are encouraged to read and understand the MLFTC Student Handbook for their respective programs: Student Handbook for MEd Special Education (Teacher Certification) or Student Handbook for MEd Special Education Master's Only (no certification) as well as familiarize themselves with the ASU Graduate College Policy Manual.
For more information on this program please visit:
ASU students and faculty are expected to act with integrity in their educational pursuits - discover what academic integrity is and why it is important. See the Policy and Code of Conduct page for more detail on academic integrity and other university policies.
Important: If you were admitted to the Special Education (Teacher Certification) MEd Traditional pathway, you default into the Dual Certification Course Sequence plan. This means you will meet the requirements for Special Education (Mild/Moderate) K-12 certification and Elementary Education (K-8) certification in the state of Arizona. If you have questions or concerns about this please email GradEdPrep@asu.edu.
Course Sequences
Course Sequences
To determine the recommended course sequence to follow for your program use the drop down arrows below that correspond to the term you were admitted for, and the program modality (Sync or Online). If you are a Teach for America student or part of the Mesa Path 2 Teach Cohorts, please see those specific options below. It is important to follow the assigned course sequence and discuss any variation from the sequence with an academic advisor.
If circumstances find you needing to veer from the recommended course sequence, we invite you to schedule an advising appointment to devise an altered course sequence together. Any changes to your course sequence will also need to be reflected on the Plan of Study (iPOS) and approved by advising.
The complete list of required coursework for the program, in no particular order, can be found on the ASU Degree Search website.
ASU Online
ASU Online
courses meet asynchronously via Canvas
2026 Start Term
Spring 2026 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)
Summer 2026 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only-Coming soon!
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-SPED Only)-Coming soon!
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)-Coming soon!
Teach for America: MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-SPED Only)-Coming soon!
Fall 2026 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only-Coming soon!
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-SPED Only)-Coming soon!
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)-Coming soon!
2025 Start Term
Spring 2025 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)
Summer 2025 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)
Teach for America: MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-SPED Only)
Fall 2025 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)
2024 Summer & Fall Start Term
MEd Special Education (Teacher Certification)
Summer 2024 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)
Fall 2024 Start:
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE) - DUAL Elementary + Special Education; For traditional pathway students only
MEd in Special Education (no Teacher Certification)
District Partners: MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification-SPED Only)
2024 Spring Start Term
MEd Special Education (Teacher Certification)
Spring 2024 start
MEd in Special Education (Teacher Certification): Dual Elementary AND Special Education Teacher Certification (For traditional pathway students only): 6-Semester MEd Special Education (Teacher Certification-EED/SPE)
2024 Teach For America
2024 Teach For America
2024 Start Term
ASU Online
2025 TFA Cohort - Please see "ASU Online" Section
iPOS/Plan of Study
iPOS/Plan of Study
Every graduate student at ASU must complete an "iPOS", or Interactive Plan of Study. The iPOS functions as a contract between the student, the Mary Lou Fulton College, and the ASU Graduate College. It outlines the program requirements, including courses necessary to complete the student's program. Furthermore, its submission and approval is required for graduation. Advising will pre-fill the iPOS for each student and submit on the student's behalf.
Use your course sequence to determine when you are taking each class and in what section it should be listed on your iPOS.
NOTE: Completing your iPOS indicates the courses you PLAN to take and when. Completing your iPOS is NOT the same thing as registering for classes. You still must register yourself in all your courses each semester via My ASU > My Classes box > Registration > Add.
Culminating Experience
Culminating Experience
SPE 593 Applied Project is the culminating experience course for the program. The successfully completed Applied Project constitutes the culminating experience for the Master’s Degree. Passing the SPE 593 with a grade of B or higher in your last semester is required for graduation.
Teacher Certification Requirements
Teacher Certification Requirements
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. If you are planning to apply for certification in other states, either via reciprocity or directly through another state, please take time to review the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Additionally, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has more requirements for certification beyond going through our Teacher Preparation program.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) outlines certification requirements. However, we have condensed this information and tailored it to account for our teacher/administrator certification programs. We recommend that you prepare the above prior to or during the final semester of your program so there is no delay in receiving your teacher/administrator certificate.
Tests Required for Certification
Special Education and Elementary dual certification:
*The following Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA)/National Evaluation Series (NES) tests are needed for Special Education and Elementary dual certification
NES Special Education Professional Knowledge (NT601) (REQUIRED)
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) (REQUIRED)
Optional: NES Elementary Education Subtests I and II (102 and 103)
Please note: the Elementary subtest exams can be fulfilled for your Arizona teaching certification using your Master’s degree and Institutional Recommendation. However, we still recommend that you consider completing the subtest exams as most other states require those exams or the equivalent.
Special Education certification:
*The following Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA)/National Evaluation Series (NES) test is needed for Special Education certification:
NES Special Education Professional Knowledge (NT601) (REQUIRED)
These tests must be passed in order to obtain teacher certification from the ADE upon program completion. Students typically complete these tests just prior to Student Teaching. Please visit the AEPA site to register for the tests and for additional information: http://www.aepa.nesinc.com/.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Teacher Waiver for in-state tuition (must be submitted EVERY semester)
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