Program Details
The Master of Education in Special Education at City University of Seattle was designed for active classroom teachers who want to take control of their education with our performance-based learning structure. You’ll tailor your learning to meet the needs of your current classroom, utilizing research-based educational methods to develop the teaching areas you want to work on.
- Flexible learning: CityU’s master’s degree in special education utilizes your current classroom for onsite internship opportunities. Beyond this in-person element, you can complete your assignments, write-ups, assessments and projects almost exclusively online.
- Time to completion: Candidates typically graduate in nine quarters; however, you can set your own pace and graduate in as few as seven quarters or up to four years.
- Special education endorsement: This program gives you the opportunity to earn a first-time Washington State special education endorsement, helping you shift into a special education teaching role.
- WEST-E® preparation: We’ll make sure you complete appropriate internships and help you prepare for the Washington Educator Skills Test.
- Practitioner faculty: Our faculty is made up of educational leaders with a range of expertise so you can benefit from the best of current research, diversity and global educational practices.
- Admissions requirements: Your current teaching certificate and accredited bachelor’s degree is all you need to apply to our M.Ed. in Special Education program.
This online special education degree program is one of our most hands-on, personalized programs at CityU. We offer a multitude of resources as well as professional collaboration and detailed faculty feedback so you can track your progress and make the most of each opportunity as you learn.
If you want to take your teaching to the next level or move into a leadership role in your district, a CityU special education master’s degree can help position you for success. Contact an advisor to get started today.
Steve Brown
Q&A with Steve Brown, Albright School of Education Chair of Graduate Programs
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: J.D., University of Michigan Law School.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Play soccer, umpire girls’ fastpitch, cook dinner, travel
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: I tend to teach School Law related courses.
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: I’ve always loved kids. Back when I was a lawyer, I found that my favorite activity was volunteer speaking/presenting at schools or training workforces about issues like harassment and discrimination. Then, when I created – and totally enjoyed – an interactive “What does a lawyer do?” half-hour program for my eldest’s pre-school, I began to think about changing professions.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: I particularly like the “alternative” non-straight-line backgrounds of our candidates (and applicants), and delivering instruction which honors and utilizes their varied life experiences.
Q: What’s one thing you always tell your students that may or may not relate to your class?
A: There are no wrong questions! I have a sign posted on the wall behind my desk at the Everett site.
Q: Any fond CityU memories that you can share?
A: Many. Here’s one: Going out to a school in Aberdeen to evaluate a candidate’s master’s action research presentation. It was based on work that he had done in a 5th grade class. So he presented in front of his class of 5th graders with other CityU faculty, his parents, and district representatives sitting at the back of the class.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: You won’t be able to be a passive observer. And you’ll have fun while learning!
Q: What is something you’ve learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: To explain the course goals right up front, and to “unpack” required rubrics in plain language with the class.
Vicki Butler
Q&A with Vicki Butler, Graduate Curriculum Director
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: I have a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. My dissertation was “21st Century Schools and School Leadership: Creating and Sustaining Innovation.”
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I love spending time with the grandkids, gardening, walking the dog, and cooking.
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: I teach the graduate research sequence, facilitate internships and field supervision.
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: I had always wanted to be a teacher but I was in nursing. After giving my first official ‘injection’ to a real person I had more than second thoughts. I couldn’t find her later that day. I thought she had died. So I went to the Dean of Nursing and said I want to teach, I’ve always wanted to teach. Since the dean could not persuade me to stay she walked me over to the Dean of Education as a ‘loan’ for a quarter – I never looked back.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: I enjoy our students and supporting their curiosity about learning and teaching. It’s about creating connections and relationships that are supportive beyond the classroom walls.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: Civility, kindness and inclusiveness of all people are at the top of my list of values to live by.
Q: What’s one thing you always tell your students that may or may not relate to your class?
A: I’m married to Santa Claus 
Q: Any fond CityU memories that you can share?
A: The essence of success as graduate students present their capstone presentations and realize that they can and will impact the learning of others
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: Plan to stretch and learn. All learning is a journey, sometimes messy and to make it your own, you need to delve into the process. Play.
Q: What is something that you have learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: Connections matter, student voice matters and guidance is essential.
Sharon Hartung
Q&A with Sharon Hartung, Associate Program Director
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: Doctorate in Education from Seattle University in Educational Leadership
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Gardening, gym time, and travel
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: Special Education, Literacy, Research, Classroom Management, Multicultural Education
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: I was a member of Future Teachers of America in High School. We tutored students after school. It was so fun! I knew I was hooked!
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: The team is an amazing team to work with!
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: Civility, kindness and inclusiveness of all people are at the top of my list of values to live by.
Q: Any fond CityU memories that you can share?
A: The intense work for the greater good that happens in the ASOE Department team.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: They will have fun and also their ideas and contributions will be respected.
Q: What is something that you have learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: My goal is to increase my timely responses and specific feedback to help future teachers improve their practice.
