Earn an Online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education Leadership from LSUS
Prepare to better serve special education students in the most effective, efficient, ethical, and legally compliant manner
Earn skills to more effectively engage with the parents and caretakers of those children
Learn to more effectively lead the educators of special education students
Accredited
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Admissions
Whether you’re returning to school or advancing your career, our admissions team is here to support you every step of the way.
Apply by
Apr 20, 2026
Classes begin
May 11, 2026
Admission Requirements
Take the first step toward earning your degree and reaching a new milestone in your education. We've simplified the process so you can get started quickly and easily. Students interested in the MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Special Education Leadership online program must meet the following requirements for admission.
Program Requirements:
- Submit graduate application and $20 application fee
- Graduate degree from an accredited university, OR
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with minimum 2.5 overall GPA or minimum 2.75 GPA in last 60 semester hours of courses
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended and any other required official documents
- The LSUS MEDCI programs do not require GRE or GMAT scores
Official transcripts, official test scores, and other materials that come from third-party sources should be mailed to:
LSUS
Admissions and Records Office
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
Transcripts may also be submitted via secure means—e.g., eSCRIP-SAFE—to admissions@lsus.edu.
**This degree does not lead to any additional certification, if the graduate does not already possess a teaching certificate.
To be considered for admission to any of our graduate programs, students must first meet the LSUS Graduate School admission requirements.
Graduate School Admission:
Unconditional Admission: For unconditional admission to graduate study, students must be in satisfactory standing at the last institution attended and meet all admission requirements of a degree program and one of the following:
Earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited university, OR
Earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with minimum 2.5 overall GPA or minimum 2.75 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of courses.
A minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) is required on any graduate work attempted with no grades of D or F.
International Admission
International applicants must meet regular admission requirements for their selected program. In addition, you may be required to submit additional information. Learn more about international admission requirements.
Flexible Schedule
Our program is built for busy adults with work and family commitments. Learn on your schedule with 24/7 access to course materials.
No required login times
Complete coursework when it works for you
Stay on track with weekly goals
Perfect for full-time workers and parents
Tuition
LSUS programs offer competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees, helping you advance your career with predictable, affordable costs.
Tuition & Fees
- 30 credit hours
- Total credit hours per program
- $378
- Cost per credit hour
- $11,353
- Total cost with fees
The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.
Financial Aid Available
LSUS offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including credit for prior learning (PLA), financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More.
Academics
This coursework will prepare educators to better serve that student population in the most effective, efficient, ethical, and legally compliant manner.
What Will I Learn?
Students in the Special Education Leadership program will deepen their understanding and knowledge relevant to the special education environment.
Students in the program can expect to learn about:
- Best instructional practices in educating children who have qualified for special education services.
- Skills to more effectively engage with the parents and caretakers of those children.
- Strategies by which to more effectively lead the educators who serve those children in the school setting.
- Law and policy that directly relate to the ethical and appropriate deployment of special education services.
*The MEDCI program does not lead to a teaching certification but can lead to an endorsement if already a certified teacher.
Courses
Students in the MEd in Curriculum & Instruction – Special Education Leader online program must complete 30 credit hours of course work, including four foundation courses (12 credit hours), and six specialization courses (18 credit hours).
Foundation Courses
Students must complete the following courses.
| Foundation: 4 Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
EDL 740: Introduction to Graduate Research |
3 |
ED 720: Curriculum |
3 |
EDL 700: Creating a Professional Learning Community |
3 |
EDL 707: Utilizing Data for School Improvement |
3 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
12 |
Specialization Courses
Students must complete the following courses.
| Specialization: 6 courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
EDL 701: Leading with Vision |
3 |
EDL 710: Leading Instruction and Assessment |
3 |
EDL 712: Facilitating Human Resource Development and Empowerment |
3 |
SPED 700: Applied Behavior Analysis in Education |
3 |
SPED 701: Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education |
3 |
SPED 702: Administration and Supervision of Special Education |
3 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
18 |
Careers
CareerBuilder® says elementary school teachers with master's degrees earn starting salaries 32% higher than teachers with a bachelor's
Career Opportunities
- Instructional Coach for Special Education
- Special Education Department Chair
- Special Education Team Leader
- Director (or Executive Director) of Special Education
- Director (or Executive Director) of Federal Programs
Teacher Certification Disclaimer
The MEDCI degrees DO NOT lead directly to teacher certification. Candidates seeking teacher certification should seek a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program or alternative teacher certification pathways.
