A Best Value School
Dordt ranked No. 7 – "Best Value Schools (Regional Universities—Midwest)," which includes institutions that provide the best value for students based on academic quality and college costs.
Dordt University
Meet the increasing needs of your community with an advanced degree from Dordt University, the Christian university known for student engagement.
Dordt’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Special Education (M.SPED) programs prepare teachers or administrators to be competent and Christ-like leaders in education and special education roles.
Courses are 100% online with both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities and are offered in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Cohorts begin at all of those terms.
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Program Options
Dordt's graduate programs are all 100% online.
M.Ed.
The Master of Education program offers eight areas of specialization:
- Developmental Reading
- Early Childhood Education
- Instructional Coach
- Teacher Leadership
- Educational Technology
- Special Education
- School Leadership
- Sport Leadership
M.SpEd
The Master of Special Education program provides options for three cross-categorical endorsements and an ABA Course Sequence:
- Instructional Strategist I
- Instructional Strategist II
- Instructional Strategist II + Initial Teaching License
- ABA Course Sequence
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“One of the ways that Dordt has readied my heart is the way that professors have poured into me and truly tried to get to know me as a leader. And I've taken that lesson to the role that I'm in right now to help students find out who they are.”
–Brian Verwolf, Head Administrator, Western Christian High School–Dordt M.Ed. Graduate
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Submit your information to request more information about Dordt and this program.
About Dordt University
Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt University is a Christian university committed to helping you serve in the real world—right now, today.
Dordt University is ranked number six on the “Regional Universities (Midwest)” ranking by 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges and is the top-ranked school in Iowa in the category. The mission of Dordt's Christian community is to equip students to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all areas of life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more, visit our admissions requirement page.
Master of Education
The Curriculum and Instruction specializations in Teacher Leadership, Special Education, Developmental Reading, Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology, and Instructional Coach specializations and the Administration specialization in Sport Leadership are each 30 credits.
The School Leadership specialization is 30 credits and meets Initial Administrator license requirements in the State of Iowa. Those seeking Initial Iowa Administrator License must take an additional 6 credits of field/lab work. These field hours can be done in the school or district in which one is currently teaching and do not require absence from current teaching assignments.
Master of Special Education
The M.SPED program is 30 credits, with courses on instructional strategies, inclusion opportunities, behavioral interventions, and working with professionals and parents. Optional courses in Applied Behavior Analysis may be added to qualify for the BCBA certification exam.
Both the M.Ed. program and the M.SpEd program can be completed in two years. A typical plan of study includes one course every fall semester and spring semester and three courses every summer for two full years. A slower pace can reduce summer work to two courses in each of three summers. The School Leadership and Teacher Leadership specializations offer an accelerated option that can be finished in as little as 14 months.
Yes, all courses are 100% online. No travel or on-campus residency is required.
Financial Aid Options
In an effort to make graduate education at Dordt available to as many people as possible, program costs are kept as reasonable as possible. Financial aid in the form of federal loan programs is available. Students who wish to apply online should visit studentaid.gov. For more information, contact Harlan Harmelink in the Financial Aid Office at (712) 722-6082.
The Dordt University Federal ID is #001859.
TEACH GRANT
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides funds for teachers who plan to teach in a high-need field serving low-income students.
BCBA GRANT (IOWA)
Students agreeing to practice as a BCBCA in the state of Iowa upon graduation may be eligible for up to aid equaling up to 50% of tuition and fees for the program.
