The Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education is a 31-39-credit-hour program (varies by state) designed to prepare and support special educators in the field. The program develops Relay students to become culturally responsive and inclusive educators through an intentional, yet flexible, pathway composed of Foundations courses, Content Pedagogy courses, Clinical Practice courses, and a selection of Flex courses. 

In their Foundations courses, Relay students in this program will learn to establish culturally responsive and inclusive classrooms with specific inquiries into systems for instructional planning, teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students, and teaching exceptional learners. 

In the first year of the program, Content Pedagogy courses integrate  learning from Foundations courses with a focus on providing appropriate scaffolds and academic and behavioral supports in inclusive, Tier 1 settings. Depending on their specific program, Relay students may also focus on standards, curriculum, instructional methods, and assessment in elementary education or secondary English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies education. 

In the second year of the program, Content Pedagogy courses focus on literacy development and the delivery of specialized instruction in reading, writing, and math via whole-group, small-group, and one-on-one interventions. 

The program culminates in a capstone project in which Relay students demonstrate the impact of their practice on student outcomes including academic progress, social-emotional development, and student experience.

Academic Plans 

Relay’s programs are tailored to local contexts and are designed to meet educational requirements for educator certification/licensure in multiple states; therefore, academic plans for each program vary by state and clinical experience pathway (e.g., Resident/non-Resident). State- and program-specific academic plans for all program offerings described in this catalog may be accessed on the Academic Plans site. Students are provided with a detailed course schedule at orientation.