Education

Master of Education in Special Education

The Master of Education in Special Education is a postgraduate programme that prepares educators for advanced practice in special needs education, supporting learners with disabilities and special educational needs. The programme combines special education theory with inclusive pedagogy and assessment practice.

Core areas include special education foundations, inclusive education, assessment of learners with special needs, intervention strategies, behaviour management, assistive technology, educational research methods, and thesis research. Students engage with both special education theory and practical application.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University, Maseno University, and Mount Kenya University. Both public and private universities offer the programme over two academic years through full-time, part-time, and distance learning modes.

Students develop competencies in special needs assessment, individualised education programme design, inclusive pedagogy, behaviour support, assistive technology, and educational research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, practical placements, and thesis research.

Kenyatta University charges KES 120,000 tuition plus KES 22,700 statutory (approximately KES 142,700/year) for full-time, or KES 90,000 plus KES 21,900 statutory for digital school. Mount Kenya University charges KES 90,000/semester (total KES 360,000, approximately KES 180,000/year). Entry requires a Bachelor of Education degree or Bachelor's in Special Needs Education with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as special needs teachers, inclusive education coordinators, special education consultants, assessment specialists, behaviour support specialists, and lecturers in special education.

Skills Required

Special Education Foundations
Inclusive Education Practice
Assessment of Learners with Special Needs
Individualised Education Programme Design
Behaviour Management and Support
Assistive Technology for Special Needs
Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
Educational Research Methods
Collaborative Practice with Families and Professionals
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Special Education Foundations
Inclusive Education Practice
Assessment of Learners with Special Needs
Individualised Education Programme Design
Behaviour Management and Support
Assistive Technology for Special Needs
Differentiated Instruction
Educational Research Methods
Collaborative Practice with Families and Professionals
Thesis Research

Certifications

TSC Special Needs Teacher Registration
KISE Special Education Certification

Specializations

Inclusive Education

Focuses on creating inclusive learning environments that accommodate all learners, examining inclusive pedagogy, universal design for learning, and differentiation.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Examines supporting learners with intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and learning disabilities in educational settings.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Covers supporting learners on the autism spectrum, examining autism-specific pedagogy, communication support, and behavioural interventions.

Behaviour Support

Focuses on positive behaviour support, examining functional behaviour assessment, behaviour intervention plans, and classroom behaviour management.

Assistive Technology in Special Education

Covers assistive technology for learners with special needs, examining technology selection, implementation, and evaluating technology impact.

Gifted and Talented Education

Examines supporting gifted and talented learners, covering identification, curriculum differentiation, and enrichment programmes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Special Education Foundations
Inclusive Education Practice
Assessment of Learners with Special Needs
Individualised Education Programme Design
Behaviour Management and Support
Assistive Technology for Special Needs
Differentiated Instruction
Educational Research Methods
Collaborative Practice with Families and Professionals
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Special Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines historical and theoretical foundations of special education, legislation, policy, and current trends in special needs education.
Inclusive Education Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers creating inclusive learning environments, universal design for learning, and differentiation for diverse learners in inclusive settings.
Assessment of Learners with Special Needs
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines assessing learners with special needs using standardised and informal assessment tools, interpreting results, and making recommendations.
Educational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting special education research, preparing students for their thesis.
Individualised Education Programme Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers designing and implementing individualised education programmes, including goal setting, intervention planning, and progress monitoring.
Behaviour Management and Support
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines functional behaviour assessment, positive behaviour support, and classroom behaviour management for learners with special needs.
Assistive Technology for Special Needs
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers selecting and implementing assistive technology for learners with special needs, examining technology options and evaluating impact.
Supporting Learners with Specific Disabilities
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines supporting learners with specific disabilities including intellectual, physical, sensory, and developmental disabilities in educational settings.
Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, examining adaptation, modification, and accommodation in inclusive classrooms.
Collaborative Practice with Families and Professionals
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines working with families, multi-disciplinary teams, and community resources to support learners with special needs.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation for thesis development.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a special education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Inclusive Education
Focuses on creating inclusive learning environments that accommodate all learners, examining inclusive pedagogy, universal design for learning, and differentiation.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Examines supporting learners with intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and learning disabilities in educational settings.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Covers supporting learners on the autism spectrum, examining autism-specific pedagogy, communication support, and behavioural interventions.
Behaviour Support
Focuses on positive behaviour support, examining functional behaviour assessment, behaviour intervention plans, and classroom behaviour management.
Assistive Technology in Special Education
Covers assistive technology for learners with special needs, examining technology selection, implementation, and evaluating technology impact.
Gifted and Talented Education
Examines supporting gifted and talented learners, covering identification, curriculum differentiation, and enrichment programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Ed. (Special Education) programme combines lectures, practical sessions, case studies, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover special education foundations, inclusive education, assessment, and intervention strategies. Special education foundations sessions examine historical and theoretical foundations, legislation, and current trends in special needs education. Inclusive education sessions cover creating inclusive learning environments, universal design for learning, and differentiation for diverse learners. Assessment sessions examine assessing learners with special needs, using standardised and informal assessment tools, and interpreting results. Intervention sessions cover designing individualised education programmes and evidence-based interventions. Behaviour support sessions examine functional behaviour assessment, positive behaviour support, and classroom behaviour management. Assistive technology sessions cover selecting and implementing technology for learners with special needs. Collaborative practice sessions cover working with families, multi-disciplinary teams, and community resources. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Practical sessions and case studies provide hands-on experience with assessment tools, intervention strategies, and individualised programme design. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for case consultation and peer learning. Guest lectures from experienced special education practitioners provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a special education topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Severe shortage of qualified special education professionals in Kenya creates very high demand and excellent career prospects.
Programme offered by both public and private universities with flexible study modes including digital and distance learning.
Reasonable fees at public universities (KES 142,700/year at KU) make the programme accessible.
Develops versatile skills in assessment, intervention, inclusive pedagogy, and behaviour support applicable across education settings.

Against it

Maseno University fee data not independently verified, limiting complete cost comparison for public institutions.
Private university fees (KES 180,000/year at MKU) are significantly higher than public university options.
Working with learners with special needs can be emotionally demanding and requires significant patience and resilience.
Programme may overlap with M.Ed. in Special Needs Education, causing confusion for prospective students.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public156k to 296k

156k at University of Nairobi296k at Kenyatta University

Private119k to 191k

119k at Mount Kenya University191k at Africa International University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 295.8K/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN ~155K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). MKU 119K, AIU 191K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC supports teacher professional development. KISE may provide training support for special needs professionals. International organisations supporting disability inclusion may provide funding for special education professional development.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Teacher Professional Development
KISE Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate education studies at recognised universities.
TSC Teacher Professional Development
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Teachers Service Commission supports professional development for registered teachers pursuing postgraduate special education qualifications.
KISE Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenya Institute of Special Education supports training and professional development for special needs professionals.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Maseno University requires a Bachelor's degree in Special Needs Education with Upper Second Class Honours, or Lower Second with two years of working experience. Kenyatta University accepts Bachelor of Education degrees with relevant special needs background. Mount Kenya University accepts Bachelor's degrees in relevant fields. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework25% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case study analysis, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination35% of the mark
Written examinations covering special education foundations, inclusive education, assessment methods, and intervention strategies.
Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through case studies, IEP development, assessment exercises, and demonstrating intervention and support skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a special education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University and Maseno University (public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer M.Ed. in Special Education or Special Needs Education. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate special education training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration with special needs endorsement.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and Maseno University (public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer M.Ed. in Special Education or Special Needs Education. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate special education training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration with special needs endorsement.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Special Needs Teacher
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Teaches learners with special needs in special or inclusive settings, overseeing individualised instruction, assessment, and learner support.
Inclusive Education Coordinator
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Coordinates inclusive education in schools or districts, overseeing inclusion implementation, teacher support, and monitoring learner outcomes.
Special Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consults on special education matters, providing advisory services, training, and support for schools, organisations, and families.
Assessment Specialist (Special Needs)
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts assessments for learners with suspected special needs, overseeing assessment, diagnosis, and recommending interventions and support.
Behaviour Support Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides behaviour support for learners with behavioural challenges, overseeing functional assessment, intervention planning, and progress monitoring.
Special Education Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches special education at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for special education research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
Assessment Tool Kits
Software
Standardised special needs assessment tools and protocols for diagnosing learning needs and tracking intervention progress.
Boardmaker
Software
Assistive technology software for creating visual supports, communication boards, and adapted learning materials for learners with special needs.
Microsoft Word
Software
Word processing software for IEP documents, assessment reports, research papers, thesis writing, and producing educational documents.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Special education is just about helping slow learners.
Special education covers a wide range of needs including physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental, and behavioural disabilities, as well as giftedness, requiring specialised knowledge and skills.
Special education teachers are less qualified than regular teachers.
Special education requires additional specialised postgraduate training beyond regular teacher education, covering assessment, intervention, and inclusive pedagogy.
Inclusive education means all learners are taught the same way.
Inclusive education involves differentiated instruction, individualised support, and universal design for learning to accommodate diverse needs within the same classroom.
Special education has limited career prospects.
There is a severe shortage of qualified special education professionals in Kenya, creating high demand in schools, government, NGOs, and international organisations.
This programme is the same as the M.Ed. in Special Needs Education.
While closely related, Special Education typically focuses on educational practice for learners with disabilities, while Special Needs Education may have a broader scope including social and developmental needs.
Special education is only for teachers working in special schools.
Special education skills are essential for all teachers in inclusive settings, and graduates work in mainstream schools, special schools, government, and organisations.