What is a Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching Mild to Moderate Support Needs Special Education degree?

The Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching Mild to Moderate Support Needs is an innovative program that lets you earn a teaching credential while completing a master’s degree. Designed to prepare you to teach and support students with mild to moderate support needs in TK–12 settings through age 22, this program blends rigorous academic coursework and research-based practices with a focus on educational justice. You will balance coursework with hands-on fieldwork experiences, learning to design and adapt instruction, create positive behavior support plans, and conduct assessments. 

With options to complete the program in person at the Redlands campus or online, you can choose the modality that fits your needs. This program will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and guidance needed to foster inclusive, equitable learning environments and meet California's state requirements for the Mild to Moderate Support Needs Preliminary Teaching Credential.

Why should you pursue the Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching Mild to Moderate Support Needs Special Education at Redlands? 

University of Redlands provides small class sizes and one-on-one interaction with faculty, fostering the development of interpersonal skills and overall academic success. School of Education professors care deeply about their students, supporting each individual in reaching their potential.

Students learn in a well-mentored cohort group and receive classroom training and field experiences that accentuate coursework and case studies. This close-knit community setting builds confidence and tactical teaching skills to be compassionate, effective special education teachers. Credential courses are offered in the evenings and online increasing access to this transformative program for students of all backgrounds.

At Redlands, coursework and fieldwork experiences are taken concurrently from the beginning and require you to think critically and reflectively about the theory-to-practice continuum. The curriculum will prepare you to support individuals with the following disabilities:

• Autism
• Emotional Disturbance
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Other Health Impairment
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Traumatic Brain Injury

The program at Redlands culminates in an intensive fieldwork experience in special education, alongside a portfolio presentation that meets California’s Teacher Performance Expectations. Completing the program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher qualifies you for credential recommendation.

Classes you'll take

To view specific classes, program requirements, and coursework information, visit the current university catalog.

Program pathways

The coursework and field experience segments of the program are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Pathways are recommended for timely program completion. Learn more by viewing the pathway for your chosen modality:

• View the on-campus pathway
• View the online pathway