Online MAEd Intervention Specialist (Initial License)
The Master of Arts in Education (Intervention Specialist — Initial License) allows ambitious adults to prepare to earn their initial Ohio state license as an Intervention Specialist for Mild/Moderate (ISM) Disabilities — the first teaching license in special education.
While ISM students complete the coursework completely online, the hands-on curriculum emphasizes fieldwork, and during their first year, students will be placed in the classroom to utilize their knowledge and work toward the number of classroom hours required to apply for their license.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University bases the curriculum around the core courses for the M.A.Ed degree — named the Best Online Master’s in Education in 2018 by Affordable Colleges Online. Yet, the ISM master’s degree is specifically geared toward working adults who have already earned a bachelor’s but have not yet earned their teaching license and have an interest in working with students with mild-to-moderate disabilities.
MaED ISM Degree Highlights
In preparing students to work as intervention specialists, the ISM program is based on MVNU’s cohort model. Students learn in a Christ-centered environment that prioritizes relationship building, and courses are taught by seasoned professional faculty members with years of experience not only as educators or administrators but also working with this unique student population.
By the program’s completion, ISM students are eligible for Ohio licensure and should have gained the pedagogical skills and methods to develop course content, curriculum, and teaching strategies and to implement and evaluate Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students grads K-12.
Tuition & Cost
$498 per credit hour**
Program Length
27 months*
Total Credit Hours
54*
Curriculum
Educator as Researcher
An introduction to basic qualitative and quantitative research methods, designs, and reporting strategies. Special emphasis is given to reading and understanding educational research studies and reports.
Multiculturalism in Education
Gain context for exploring variables of culture such as race, socio-economic status, gender, and their effects on teaching and learning. Multiculturalism and issues of equity, social justice, and diversity are explored in the context of the 21st century classroom through a Christian worldview.
Consultation, Collaboration, and Cooperative Practice
Learn your role as consultant, collaborator, and cooperative partner with various stakeholders. Consultation services and collaborative and cooperative practices related to special education, literacy services, and other educational support areas will be examined.
Curriculum stats/highlights
Courses
| Core Courses | Credit Hours |
| General Teaching Methods | 2 |
| Inclusion Curricular Practices | 3 |
| Social Studies (Grades PK-5) | 4 |
| Math (Grades PK-5) | 4 |
| Science Curriculum (Grades PK-5) | 4 |
| Developmental Literacy Lab | 1 |
| Developmental Literacy | 3 |
| Basics of Phonics Instruction | 3 |
| Content Area Reading | 3 |
| Classroom Management | 4 |
| Unit Planning | 3 |
| EC/Integrated Field Experience | 2 |
| Intro to Multi-Cultural Education | 3 |
| Language Arts & Writing Methods | 2 |
| Urban/Diverse Field Experience | 2 |
| Upper Elementary Field Experience | 1 |
| Student Teaching/Seminar | 10 |
| Total Core Hours | 54 |
How much will it all cost?
Tuition
$42,393
Cost per credit hour: $398
Total credit hours: 123
Financial Aid
Apply for scholarships, loans, grants, and tuition reimbursement.
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Additional Costs
Students interested in the ISM program need to be aware of additional costs related to coursework and licensing and budget accordingly:
- Textbooks and supplies
- Any additional reading or undergraduate courses required for licensure
- BCII/FBI background checks ($50-$60)
- Ohio Educator Assessments ($115-$139 per exam)
- Membership in a professional education organization ($25-$100)
- Ohio teaching license application ($80 for 2-year, Resident Educator License)
Facts & figures
Based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for special education teachers is predicted to remain steady between now and 2028.
15.7%
of Ohio students require IEPs
615
Ohio districts and 1,000 private schools require instructors to help with IEPs
Careers
MVNU has a strong reputation for producing compassionate, competent, and committed educators who are also real-world ready. Master of Arts in Education degree holders have a myriad of career opportunities available to them in the K–12 school system; the addition of the Ohio licensure as an Intervention Specialist for Mild/Moderate Disabilities expands these options considerably.
- Intervention Specialist
- Early Intervention Specialist/Early Childhood Teacher or Special Educator
- Middle Childhood Teacher or Special Educator
- Adolescent Young Adult Teacher or Special Educator
- Multi-Age Teacher or Special Educator
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