--- title: Dordt Launches M.SPED Program date: 2022-05-25T00:00:00-05:00 author: Jordan Eshelman canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-launches-m-sped-program" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Academics](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=academics) [Education](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=education) May 25, 2022 # Dordt Launches M.SPED Program Dordt launches a Masters in Special Education Program ![]()The Dordt University Graduate Studies Department is now accepting applications for the new Master of Special Education (M.SPED) program. “Dordt’s Master of Special Education will prepare you to teach students with special needs across a range of settings and ages,” says Dr. Kathleen VanTol, professor of education. “Students with disabilities need teachers who both care about them and have the tools and techniques to help them be successful. In this cross-categorical program, teachers will learn those research-based practices which will enable them to support students who have a variety of learning and behavioral challenges.” The 30-credit program is 100 percent online and can be completed in as little as two years. Students also have the opportunity to take courses in [Applied Behavior Analysis](https://www.abainternational.org/welcome.aspx) to qualify for the [Board Certified Behavior Analyst](https://www.bacb.com/examination-information/) (BCBA) exam. “This new program allows teachers to build on their existing strengths and prepare for their future professional needs such as instructional strategy, behavior analysis, assessment, and interventions,” says Dr. Steve Holtrop, professor of education and director of graduate studies. The M.SPED program will partner with Dordt University’s [Thrive Center](https://www.dordt.edu/about-dordt/affiliated-academic-centers/thrive-center), a teaching center providing areas of behavior therapy and skills acquisition for children. The center employs therapies based on the principles of applied behavior analysis, collaborating with schools, families, and agencies to achieve the best outcome for each client. “Dordt’s strengths in special education combined with opportunities in the Thrive Center, help teachers boost the caring, competence, and confidence needed to help all students thrive,” says Holtrop. “This is a great opportunity for educators to hear God saying, ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matt. 25: 40).” To learn more about the Master of Special Education visit [dordt.edu/master-of-special-education](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/master-of-special-education). As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by *U.S. News and World Report*, Forbes.com, *Washington Monthly*, and *Princeton Review*. ## Related Programs [ Master's ![A teacher helps a special education student](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Program-Images/Special-Education/Programs_Master-Of-SpecialEd_660x568.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=adaa217f&v=2074c5d67ca5ac9f51dbe3e0b942ba71405efa754a305a33230b158eab0203c2) ### Master of Special Education Online ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/master-of-special-education) [ Bachelor's ![Male teaches his students](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-10-17_000261_2024-06-26-190010_zscj.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=c542519b&v=dfcdc37941bd4c42840ebac356e72d0041646b115b83f014064a0ea331a9e833) ### Education Major ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/education-ba) --- [Previous Article ![Brick and concrete sign of "Dordt University" is surrounded by prairie grass](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/front-entrance.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=460ee147&v=05c18acb8bf730fe9d56406fcd2b3f749f7c7b670e0e649e654cbe0f65b606bb) Academics Engineering May 26, 2022 ## Undergraduate Research Projects at Dordt Dordt University engages in a variety of undergraduate research project this summer Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/undergraduate-research-projects-at-dordt) [Next Article ![Brick and concrete sign of "Dordt University" is surrounded by prairie grass](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/front-entrance.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=460ee147&v=05c18acb8bf730fe9d56406fcd2b3f749f7c7b670e0e649e654cbe0f65b606bb) Arts Athletics May 16, 2022 ## Dordt and Sioux County Radio Team Up to Broadcast Defender Sports Dordt University and Sioux County Radio announce partnership to broadcast Dordt Defender Athletics Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-and-sioux-county-radio-team-up-to-broadcast-defender-sports) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 19 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-19) Aug 20 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-20) Aug 20 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/20 8:00 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer at Carroll - Nelson Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-22-100-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-at-carroll) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>