Distance learning program Special Education / Inclusive Education (M.A.) – IU International University

👉 You have completed a Bachelor's degree in Education and want to deepen your skills in Special Education and Inclusive Education? In the Master's distance learning programme (120 ECTS), you will learn how to design inclusive educational processes for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. The emphasis is on pedagogical practice, management, and research. Study flexibly full-time or part-time, use digital learning resources, and acquire leadership skills for inclusive organizations. The degree is state-recognised and opens up diverse career opportunities in the education and social sector.

At a Glance

🏫 Provider IU International University, UAS based in Erfurt (Germany)
Studying, anytime and anywhere – according to your own rules: The distance learning at IU International University (IU) not only makes this possible, but is constantly meeting individual learning needs and providing the latest gadgets for a maximally flexible study. The state-recognized bachelor's and master's programs, which can be completed part-time or full-time, are intended to adapt to the students' everyday lives – whether alongside work, during parental leave, or while traveling the world. Self-directed learning has never been easier: from the innovative learning app IU Learn, through the online campus with live formats, to the in-house and thus first AI-based university chatbot Syntea. Currently, there are over 130,000 students enrolled at IU – making IU the largest German university.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Health & SocialPedagogy
📜 Degree Master of Arts (M.A.)
⏳ Duration 4 Semesters, Study effort 30 hours weekly
🎯 ECTS 120 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Pedagogy of Diversity, Leadership, Research Methodology, Seminar: Participation, Self-Determination, Intersectionality, Conversation Leadership, Counseling, Mediation, Project: Educational Management in Initial, Further, and Continuing Education, Inclusive Pedagogy: Emotional and Social Development and Learning Disabilities, Inclusive Pedagogy: Sensory and Language Impairments, Change Management and Organizational Development, Social Space Orientation, Project: Research in Inclusive Pedagogy, Internationally Comparative Inclusive Pedagogy, Inclusive Pedagogy: Cognitive and Physical Disabilities, Project: Self-Reflection of Professionalization Processes, Elective Subject I, Elective Subject II, Master's Thesis
📚 Electives Leadership in Education within the context of diversity, Methodology and didactics of a pedagogy of diversity, Participatory Research, Diversity Management, Research Methods, Early Childhood Education and Care, Promotion of Resilience, AI and Mastering AI Prompting, Employment Law
👥 In-person sessions numerous virtual teaching events
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Special Education / Inclusive Education under the number 1127921.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
💶 Fees
from 299 € monthly
from 12775 € total
🔗 More Info https://www.iu-fernstudium.de
  • 3 flexible time models from full-time to part-time for every situation
  • interesting specializations, such as methodology and didactics in a pedagogy of diversity
  • innovative learning concept with IU Learn app and digital lectures

Who benefits from a Master's in Special Education / Inclusive Education?

With your Master's in Special Education/Inclusive Education, you might work in the management of an inclusive educational institution or as a local inclusion officer in educational institutions.

The distance learning course is aimed at educational professionals who are committed to dealing with diversity and want to take on leadership roles in inclusive institutions. It targets graduates in pedagogy, social work, special  education, or related fields who wish to deepen their skills in inclusion, diversity, and leadership at a scientific level. The course is particularly suitable if you aspire to professional responsibilities in educational, advisory, or support institutions for people with disabilities or if you want to reflect on and expand your own experiences in pedagogical practice.

Admission: What formal criteria do you need to meet?

For admission to the Master's programme in Special Education / Inclusive Education, the following requirements apply:

  • A completed undergraduate degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) from a state or state-recognized university with a minimum of 180 ECTS
  • Specialization in pedagogy, educational sciences, educational studies, or related disciplines with a final grade of at least "Satisfactory"

A list of exemplary accepted Bachelor's degrees includes: Childhood Education, Special Education, Social Work, Health and Care Pedagogy, Culture and Media Pedagogy, Social Pedagogy, Rehabilitation Sciences, Adult Education, Pedagogy for Education/Counselling/Personnel Development.

For applicants with a Bachelor's in Psychology, access is possible with additional performance:

  • Evidence of two courses focusing on pedagogy/educational sciences, educational psychology, or learning/learning theories, or
  • At least 18 months of professional experience in an educational institution for children and/or adolescents (e.g., daycare centre, school, or extracurricular educational institutions), or
  • Completion of additional courses from the IU Bachelor's programme in Special Education: "Introduction to Special Education" (if only one course is missing) and "Special Needs Educational Support Concepts" (if two courses are missing).

With a Bachelor's final grade "Sufficient" (up to 4.0), additional performances are required, such as relevant Master's performances (at least 40 ECTS), a relevant Master's degree, or non-academic qualifications at DQR7 level

Evidence of German language skills at least at level B2 (e.g., TestDaF with at least 3 points in all sections, DSH1, Telc German B2, ÖSD B2), if access to higher education was obtained abroad.

Personal requirements for the study include:

  • Interest in educational, psychosocial, and ethical questions of inclusion and diversity
  • Willingness for self-reflection, especially regarding one's own professional development and attitudes towards diversity
  • Ability for scientific work, e.g., literature evaluation and empirical research
  • Good communication and teamwork skills for collaboration with other professionals as well as for consultation, mediation, and leadership
  • Self-motivation and organizational skills to successfully complete a flexible and interactive distance learning course
  • Basic digital skills for using the online campus and learning platforms

What content does the Master's programme in Special Education / Inclusive Education convey?

In the distance learning Master's programme Special Education / Inclusive Education (M.A., 120 ECTS), you will engage in a scientific and practical manner with the basics, applications, and management tasks in special education and inclusive education. The focus is on learning in diversity – with a special emphasis on children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. Key areas include pedagogical practice, management, and research. The programme will provide you with the following competencies:

  • Concepts and theories of diversity pedagogy as well as inclusive educational processes for different target groups
  • Leadership skills for the development and management of inclusive organizations
  • Research methodology for planning and conducting scientific projects
  • Practical skills in communication, counseling, and mediation
  • Project management in educational management for initial, continuing, and further education
  • Skills for working with people with various disabilities (e.g. cognitive, physical, emotional, social, sensory, and linguistic impairments)
  • Digital structures and requirements in educational and counseling institutions
  • Community orientation and the design of participatory change processes
  • Elective modules, e.g. Diversity Management, Early Childhood Education, Promotion of Resilience, AI & Mastering AI Prompting, Methodology and Didactics of a diverse pedagogy, Labor Law
  • Option for in-depth self-reflection on professional development processes as well as international perspectives in comparison

A special focus is placed on developing leadership skills for inclusive educational institutions and the ability to actively shape change processes.

How does the distance learning Master's programme in Special Education / Inclusive Education work?

The programme is fully flexible and offered as a distance learning course. The key processes are as follows:

  • Study model: 100% online, in German, completion Master of Arts (M.A.), 120 ECTS
  • Start: Possible at any time – choose your individual start date or begin immediately
  • Duration: Choose between 24 months (full-time), 36 months (part-time I), or 48 months (part-time II). An extension of up to 12 months is possible at no cost.
  • Learning: Digital learning platform with a personal learning AI (Syntea), multimedia tools, and access to an online library with 60,000 e-books and numerous educational videos (e.g. via LinkedIn Learning)
  • Exams: Take exams online or at the nearest exam centre – anytime and independent of location
  • Modules: Combination of mandatory modules (e.g. Diversity Pedagogy, Leadership, Research Methodology, Inclusive Pedagogy for various forms of disabilities), projects, seminars, elective modules, and the master's thesis
  • Support: Study and career coaching, exchange with instructors and fellow students, optional semester abroad
  • Special features: 1-month free trial possible, sabbatical semester if needed, recognition of prior learning for time and cost savings

The use of AI-based learning aids and innovative online teaching makes the programme highly flexible in terms of time and location.

What career paths are open to you after the Master's programme in Special Education / Inclusive Education?

With a Master's degree, you qualify for leadership and management roles in inclusive education as well as for senior positions in educational, social, and advisory institutions. Typical professional fields and areas of work include:

  • Management of inclusive facilities (e.g. day-care centres, schools, adult education)
  • Development and management of inclusive educational and care concepts
  • Staff development and team leadership in educational institutions and social work
  • Organizational and conceptual interface work (e.g. developing inclusion strategies at the municipal level)
  • Event management for inclusive continuing education and professional development
  • Expert role in accessibility, diversity, and participatory justice
  • Participation in research projects in the field of inclusion and special  education
  • Counseling, mediation, and support services for people with disabilities and their families

The demand for experts in inclusive organizational and change development is continuously growing – especially in the education and social sectors, but also in the corporate sector for diversity and inclusion management.

What costs and financing options do you need to consider?

The monthly tuition fees depend on the chosen time model:

  • 24 months (full-time): €499 per month (total cost approximately €12,775)
  • 36 months (part-time I): €379 per month (total cost approximately €14,443)
  • 48 months (part-time II): €299 per month (total cost approximately €15,151)

A free trial month is possible. Fees for this period only apply if you continue studying afterward. Other included services: online library, learning AI, study and career coaching, access to MS Office, sabbatical semester, free extension, option for a semester abroad, and more.

  • Recognition of prior learning: For every recognized ECTS point, you save €30 and time (30 hours per ECTS). An application for recognition can be made before or during the study, with cost savings granted when submitted before the end of the trial month.
  • Various financing options are available: BAföG (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act), student loans, employer funding, tax deductibility of expenses as business costs, as well as scholarships.

Through IU's financing check, you can individually assess which funding options suit you. Flexible installment and term models facilitate the financing of your studies.

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