Master of Education in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors Online

Develop the knowledge and skills to serve students with challenging needs, such as autism. Study applied behavioral analysis and intervention strategies and learn to support and evaluate individuals with diverse learning needs.

Next Apply Date: 2/17/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25
Apply Now

Program Overview

Gain insights into our online Master of Education in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors program

The Master of Education in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors online program helps education professionals expand their knowledge and skills in providing services to individuals with diverse learning needs. Learn strategies for analysis, intervention and support for students with challenging behaviors such as autism.

Whether you have experience in special education or are just diving into your passion for helping students with special needs, earning your master's in special education online at SOSU positions you for career advancement as a special education teacher, intervention specialist or in an administrative or leadership role. In this accelerated, 100% online master's program, you will learn how to best reach and educate students with diverse needs, develop the ability to teach others about special education and learn to think outside the box to become an advocate for those in need.

In this special education program, you will learn:

  • Knowledge and strategy to better reach and educate students with diverse needs
  • Strategy to work with more severe behaviors and to learn more about: autism, positive behavior and support, applied behavior analysis, and ways to shape behavior
  • Ability to teach others about special education and thinking creatively to help advocate – no matter the barriers
  • Preparation to work in schools and meet the unique behavioral needs of K-12 learners through systemic, positive, prevention-focused and data-based decision making
  • Knowledge and strategy to better reach and educate students with diverse needs
  • Strategy to work with more severe behaviors and to learn more about: autism, positive behavior and support, applied behavior analysis, and ways to shape behavior
  • Ability to teach others about special education and thinking creatively to help advocate – no matter the barriers
  • Preparation to work in schools and meet the unique behavioral needs of K-12 learners through systemic, positive, prevention-focused and data-based decision making

As a graduate of this M.Ed. online program, you will be prepared for teaching and administrative roles in special education that include:

  • K-12 Special Education Teacher
  • Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher
  • Inclusion Teacher
  • Exceptional Children Teacher
  • Resource Program Director
  • K-12 Special Education Teacher
  • Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher
  • Inclusion Teacher
  • Exceptional Children Teacher
  • Resource Program Director

Other online education programs also available:

SE offers a variety of other programs in addition to the M.Ed. in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors online. Check out all our master of education online degree programs .

Total Tuition, Including Fees $9,540*
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation

CAEP accreditation logo

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 844-515-9100

Call 844-515-9100

Tuition

Our affordable program tuition includes fees

Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers its students the opportunity to earn their online degree with affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition that includes fees.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $9,540*
Per Credit Hour $318

Calendar

View the online dates and deadlines for SE

At SOSU, we offer multiple start dates throughout the year so you never have to wait long to get started on your online degree program. The chart below shows upcoming start dates, along with important deadlines, such as when your application should be submitted and when payments are due.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineLast Class Day
Spring I1/13/2512/16/2412/16/241/10/252/25/253/2/25
Spring II3/10/252/17/252/17/253/7/254/15/255/4/25
Summer I5/12/254/28/254/28/255/9/256/1/256/29/25
Summer II6/30/256/16/256/16/256/27/257/3/258/10/25
Fall I8/18/258/4/258/4/258/15/259/15/2510/5/25
Fall II10/13/259/29/259/29/2510/10/2511/1/2512/7/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 2/17/25
Class Starts 3/10/25

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

Qualifications for our online challenging behaviors program

Southeastern Oklahoma State University's online M.Ed. programs have specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

  • Online Application
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA

If you have any special circumstances that need further clarification, please contact us at 844-515-9100.

To meet the admission requirements for the M.Ed. in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors online program, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA or minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of courses, or
  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA AND a packet consisting of a current resume, one professional letter of recommendation, and letter of application which outlines the applicant's career goals and objectives (including how an M.Ed. in Special Education will enhance their career) that must be reviewed and approved by program faculty, or
  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university and at least 6 hours in a graduate program from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and must be in good standing at previous university
  • No GRE is required for Southeastern Oklahoma State University online M.Ed. programs.
  • There is a non-refundable $30 application fee for both domestic and international students.

International Application and Admissions Requirements: Please note, unfortunately, students with an F-1 visa are ineligible for online programs.

  1. Complete the application.
  2. Academic Records:
    • Original final post-secondary transcript(s) from each college or university attended within the United States.
    • Post-secondary records from outside the U.S. must be course-by-course analyzed by a NACES (www.NACES.org) educational credential evaluation service such as IERF or WES or ECE.
  3. English Proficiency: Internet-based TOEFL score of 79 or an IELTS Academic score of 6.5; taken within 2 years of enrollment.
    • For TOEFL, have your score report sent to Southeastern (institution code: 6657).
    • For IELTS, let us know your TRF number.
    • You do not need TOEFL or IELTS scores if you meet one of the following:
      • English is your first language from a country whose official language is English
      • You have a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university
      • You have a bachelor’s degree from an English speaking country

Official sealed transcripts from all previous institutions should be sent to Southeastern Oklahoma State University:

Southeastern Oklahoma State University/Registrar
425 W. University Blvd.
Durant, OK 74701-3347

Email: [email protected]

Courses

Advance your knowledge in these M.Ed. in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors online classes

For the M.Ed. in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors online, you will complete a total of 10 courses (30 credit hours), including 21 credit hours of core courses and 9 credit hours of special education challenging behaviors specialty courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of research methodology and literature related to solving educational problems and improving the learning process.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Philosophical, historical and legal foundations of special education. Introduction to roles and responsibilities of the special educator and legal and ethical requirements of the profession. Theoretical perspectives related to the nature and needs of persons with disabilities. *Other elective courses may be selected at the discretion of the department’s Graduate Committee (comprised of the program coordinators).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Knowledge of cognitive science, learning theory, and instructional technologies to improve instructional programs and the continuum of program options and services to ensure the appropriate instructional supports for individuals with exceptional learning needs.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Design and implementation of analysis and review of research to examine the effectiveness of instructional practices and methods for assessing and evaluating individuals and programs to identify and validate evidence-based practices.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Process and interpretation of assessments for determining eligibility for special education and methods and strategies for assessing and evaluating students' performance and success in general education curriculum.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Learning environments for individuals with ELN that foster cultural understanding, safety and emotional well being, positive interactions, and active engagement of individuals with ELN.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Effective strategies for collaboration with families, other educators, related service providers, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to promote and advocate the learning and well-being of individuals with ELN across a wide range of settings and a range of different learning experiences.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will prepare educators to work in schools to meet the unique behavioral needs of learners in K-12 through systemic, positive, prevention focused and data-based decision making. The course will prepare the educator to collaborate with other school professions to plan interventions to meet the needs of students who present challenging behaviors. *Other elective courses may be selected at the discretion of the department’s Graduate Committee (comprised of the program coordinators).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces students to autism in children and youth. Topics include the historical and theoretical foundations of autism and current diagnostic criteria. Students will differentiate the characteristics of autism including social, emotional, communication, behavioral, sensory-motor and cognitive characteristics of children and youth with autism. This class identifies the trends and issues associated with autism and effective practices and strategies for structuring, managing and promoting social skill development and social interactions among learners with autism.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course promotes knowledge and skill in analyzing behavioral problems across a range of issues. Special consideration is given to designing interventions, implementing, planning and designing applied projects. Topics include identification and selection of problems and target populations, analysis of problems and goals, designing measurement systems, developing interventions, and disseminating products from applied behavioral research.

Request More Information

Submit this form, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Or call 844-515-9100

Ready To Begin?

Start your application today!

Or Call 844-515-9100 844-515-9100
for help with any questions you may have.