Special Education Programs are part of the Advanced Education Programs Department and the Teacher Education Department in the College of Education at Fort Hays State University.

We offer online graduate programs for working toward adding an endorsement to become a special educator in High Incidence , Low Incidence, and/or Gifted. Through these programs, you can also work to earn a Master of Science in Special Education along with the endorsement. To add the endorsement in order to teach special education in the state of Kansas, you must already have an initial teaching license.

We offer an online undergraduate bachelor's degree program to become a special educator in High Incidence and Low Incidence.

We also offer additional pathways for becoming a special educator, the Limited Residency Licensure - High Incidence and the Limited Residency Licensure - Low Incidence programs which are initial licensure programs available only in Kansas. Candidates interested in either of these programs must be selected by the school district in to be the special education teacher of record. Candidates interested in the low incidence program must have a minimum of one year experience as a paraprofessional.

Each of our programs is designed to teach through practical application and align with the program licensure standards through the state of Kansas. As such, you will be required to observe in special education settings across grade levels (pre-K through 12th grade) and engage in case study applications of what you will be learning in courses with students with exceptionalities (high incidence or gifted, depending on your program of study).

Program Overviews

High Incidence Special Education

Students with high incidence needs - learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, high-functioning autism - make up the largest number of students identified and placed in special education. Consequently, schools need qualified and trained special educators to meet the needs of their students with high incidence needs. Candidates in this fully online program should have an existing intial teaching license, and complete the program to earn an added endorsement to teach students with high incidence needs as well as a MS-SPED degree. Visit the link for this program pathway to learn more.

Limited Residency Licensure - High Incidence Special Education

This program was formerly called the Limited Apprentice License Program. Candidates in this fully online program do not yet have an initial teaching license, and complete the program to become first time teachers who work specifically with students with high incidence needs. This program is exclusive to individuals who will be teaching in Kansas. Visit the link for this program pathway to learn more.

Low Incidence Special Education

Students with low incidence needs - significant cognitive disabilities and vision and/or hearing impairments - need qualified and trained special educators to meet their needs. Candidates in this fully online program should have an existing intial teaching license, and complete the program to earn an added endorsement to teach students with low incidence needs as well as a MS-SPED degree. Visit the link for this program pathway to learn more.

Limited Residency Licensure - Low Incidence Special Education

Candidates in this fully online program do not yet have an initial teaching license, and complete the program to become first time teachers who work specifically with students with low incidence needs. This program is exclusive to individuals who will be teaching in Kansas. Visit the link for this program pathway to learn more.

Gifted Special Education

The Gifted program supports candidates in developing knowledge and skills to provide equitable and appropriate education for exceptional children and youth. Designed for flexibility, convenience, and educational quality, this fully online program concentrates on the practical needs and challenges faced by today’s gifted facilitators. Visit the link for this program pathway to learn more.

Undergraduate Special Education High and Low Incidence Program

Candidates in this fully online program do not have a bachelor's degree. At degree completion, candidates may earn a teaching license in special education high incidence and special education low incidence. Visit the link for this program pathway to learn more.