Graduate Programs

Master of Education in Special Education

  • Program Length
    2 Years
  • Credential
    Master Degree
  • Location Offered
    Nanaimo, Online

Teachers with a passion for supporting students in the special education classroom can pursue a Masters of Education at VIU to dive deeper into teaching and learning strategies that address unique learning challenges.

This Master of Education in Special Education (MSED) is offered as a part-time online Master program or full-time in-person cohort, making it flexible and accessible for practicing teachers to undertake their Master's of Education while working. The VIU Special Education Master’s program is designed as a highly experiential learning environment. Graduate students are able to personalize their learning and build meaningful connections with the school communities they live and work in.

Program Overview

Part-Time Option

This program incorporates a blended online and on-campus model. Generally classes meet on campus in Nanaimo during July and online during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Full-Time Option

This cohort-based model is designed for students wishing to study full-time on the VIU campus. All formal coursework is completed over two semesters. The Field Inquiry and Major Project components are completed during the second year over two semesters. Students may complete these components with online support and can complete up to one semester early.

VIU's MEd in Special Education embodies an innovative approach to the field of Special Education. Grounded in current research and evidence-based practices, our program challenges each educator to critically examine historical and contemporary Special Education policies and approaches to formulate a best practice specific to her/his own context. Faculty bring their expert knowledge and extensive experiences to guide, support and maximize student learning in each part of the program.

The 40-credit program is nested in four frames of reference:

 

  1. Context for Development and Learning: Students consider the context for development and learning including characteristics of the individual with special needs; issues such as social context, cultural perspectives, poverty, and mental and social health; and implications of research.
  2. Informative Assessment: Students focus on the purposes, processes, and implications of assessment information.
  3. Responsive Teaching: Students demonstrate the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in consultation with classroom teacher(s), parents, students, and district and community resource personnel for students with a variety of special needs.
  4. Re-imagining Special Education: Students think beyond current practices and examine critical issues in the field of Special Education that impact children with special needs and their families in order to re-imagine the field of Special Education.

Graduates of the program will command content knowledge, develop skill-specific competencies and acquire relevant experiences prescribed by the BC Ministry of Education for Special Education specialist teachers, as well as, have the capacity to offer leadership in Special Education areas.

The MEd program is offered as a cohort-based model for practicing teachers.

Laddering Option

Graduates of VIU's Inclusive Education Graduate Diploma and Literacy, Language and Learning Graduate Diploma are eligible to apply to ladder into the Master of Education in Special Education Degree. To complete the Master of Education in Special Education (laddering option) students need to complete 3 courses (15 credits) in support of thesis or project work. The Master of Education in Special Education (laddering option) is a cohort-based program which starts in Intersession (summer) semester and where these courses are completed over three semesters. The program is offered online. 

To be admitted into the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university and acceptable in content by the Faculty of Education with either:
    • a cumulative grade point average of "B" in the final two years and/or
    • demonstration of academic excellence
  • Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs
  • Acceptance and satisfactory review of the following items by the Admissions Committee:
    • A résumé outlining teaching experience (two years preferred). 
    • A letter of intent explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue graduate work in this area. 
    • Two current, confidential assessment reports (reference letters are not acceptable in lieu of the confidential assessment reports).

For Laddering Option applicants: 

In addition to the above, graduates from the Inclusive Education Graduate Diploma (IEGD):

  • Must have taken GDSE 590 (Conference Related Special Project) as one of their electives. 

Conditional acceptance may be offered to students who are enrolled in IEGD courses at the time of application; however, successful completion of all IEGD coursework is required before students can be registered in the Master of Education in Special Education. 

In addition to the above, graduates from the Literacy, Language and Learning Graduate Diploma (LLLGD):

  • Must have taken GDSE 692 (Individual Intervention Planning) and GDSE 693 (Individual Assessment) as part of their electives.

Conditional acceptance may be offered to students who are enrolled in final LLL program courses at the time of application; however, successful completion of all LLLGD requirements is required before students can be registered in the Master of Education in Special Education.

Flexible Admission

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. The objective of flexible admission is to recognize prior learning accomplishments and to ensure a high probability of successful program completion. Applicants must show evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills and attitudes to complete a demanding academic course of study. Applicants seeking Flexible Admission will be required to:

  • Provide a letter of intent explaining why they wish to pursue graduate work in this area;
  • Provide a detailed résumé, including evidence of applicable learning;
  • Provide two current, confidential assessment reports;
  • Provide two or more letters of reference;
  • Provide official transcripts of all post-secondary coursework

In limited cases, applicants may also be required to:

  • Provide a portfolio containing evidence of applicable prior learning;
  • Appear for an interview;
  • Take one or more qualifying courses; and/or
  • Provide additional documentation as may be required to adjudicate the application.

Notes on Admission

  • Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
  • For application review, applicants must submit all admission documents, including official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework/studies within two weeks of the admissions deadline. Applicants are advised to submit documents as early as possible.
  • Students who have completed the former Special Education Teaching Specialty Post Degree Diploma Program (SETS) should contact Graduate Programs in the Faculty of Education to determine their eligibility for the Master of Education in Special Education (laddering option). 

Transfer from other Institutions

Applicants may apply to the Program Coordinator/Program Chair for possible transfer credits from other accredited Master's programs.

Program Outline (Part-Time Option)

Year 1Credits
Intersession 
MEDS 510 - (Foundations of Special Education) (VIU Nanaimo)5
MEDS 530 - (Critical Issues in Special Education) (Online)5
Fall Semester (Online)
 
 
MEDS 520 - (Development and Exceptionality in Human Learning)5
Spring Semester (Online)
 
 
MEDS 540 - (Teacher as Researcher in Special Education)5

Total Credits

20
Year 2Credits
Intersession 
MEDS 610 - (Individual Assessment & Intervention Planning) (VIU Nanaimo)
 
5
MEDS 620 - (Translating Special Education Research to Practice) (Online)
 
5
Fall Semester (Online)
 
 
MEDS 630 - (Field Inquiry)5
Spring Semester (Online)
 
 
MEDS 640 - (Major Project)5

Total Credits

20

Total Program Credits

40

Program Outline (Full-Time Option)

Year 1Credits
Fall Semester 
MEDS 510 - (Foundations of Special Education)5
MEDS 520 - (Development and Exceptionality in Human Learning)5
MEDS 530 - (Critical Issues in Special Education)5
Spring Semester 
MEDS 540 - (Teacher as Researcher in Special Education)5
MEDS 610 - (Individual Assessment & Intervention Planning)5
MEDS 620 - (Translating Special Education Research to Practice)5

Total Credits

30
Year 2 (September-April)Credits
Fall and Spring Semesters 
 
 
MEDS 630 - (Field Inquiry)*5
MEDS 640 - (Major Project)*5

Year 2 Total

10

Total Program Credits

40


* These courses may be completed on-campus or online.

Program Outline (Laddering Option) 

Year 2Credits
Intersession Semester (Online) 
MEDS 540 - (Teacher as Researcher in Special Education)5
Fall Semester (Online) 
MEDS 630 - (Field Inquiry)5
Spring Semester (Online) 
MEDS 640 - (Major Project)5
Total Program Credits15

 

Program Progression Requirements

  • Students must maintain a minimum average of ‘B’ (3.0) in each semester of the program 
  • Students must receive a ‘CR’ grade in each course (where applicable) 
  • Any student that receives a grade below a ‘C+’ in an individual course is required to meet with the Program Coordinator and/or the Program Chair to create an action plan to improve academic performance. 
  • Should students receive a failing grade, they may retake up to 2 individual courses. If they are unsuccessful in a third course, or in a second attempt of the same course, they will be required to leave the program. 
  • To be eligible to progress into MEDS 630 and 640, the following requirements must be met: 
    • a minimum grade of ‘B’ (3.0) or ‘CR’ in MEDS 540 
    • an approved proposal 
  • Students are permitted one attempt at MEDS 640. 
  • Students who find it necessary to interrupt their program may request a leave of absence and are advised to meet with their Program Coordinator and/or the Program Chair in support of completing the Graduate Studies Leave of Absence process. 
  • Students returning to the program after an absence of five years or longer will have their course work reassessed for relevancy and may be required to retake courses and resubmit a proposal (if applicable).

Program Completion Requirements

  • Graduation requires the successful completion of all required courses and M.Ed. graduate work (i.e. Thesis, Major Project, etc.) as agreed upon in an approved proposal.
  • Students requiring extra time to complete MEDS 630 and/or MEDS 640, must maintain continuous enrollment in EXTN 500 at an additional cost for up to three (3) additional consecutive terms.

Domestic graduates of this program will be well-poised to assume Special Education positions at the school and district level. School districts in British Columbia report great difficulty in recruiting qualified Special Education teachers.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees per Program Amount
Tuition (40 credits x $453.08 per credit) 18,123.20
Student Activity fee (16 months x $19.97 per month) 319.52
Student Services fee (16 months x $22.05 per month) 352.80
VIU Students' Union fee (16 months x $27.60 per month) 441.60
Health and Dental Plan fee (2 years x $285.00 per year) 570.00
Notes

* The Master of Education in Special Education program is six semesters long when taken part-time.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

Textbooks and/or course packages are required for each course. Contact the Education Department at 250.753.3245 Ext. 2530 for further information regarding books and supplies. 

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees per Program Amount
Tuition (40 credits x $690.80 per credit) 27,632.00
Student Activity fee (16 months x $19.97 per month) 319.52
Student Services fee (16 months x $22.05 per month) 352.80
VIU Students' Union fee (16 months x $27.60 per month) 441.60
Health and Dental Plan fee (2 years x $285.00 per year) 570.00
Notes

* The Master of Education in Special Education program is six semesters long when taken part-time.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

Textbooks and/or course packages are required for each course. Contact the Education Department at 250.753.3245 Ext. 2530 for further information regarding books and supplies. 

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus Options

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus Options