Teaching Diverse Learners MA
- Graduate Educator Licensure or Endorsement
- Master's Degree
- Online
- Online
- Dual Endorsement in Special Education and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education
2 Years
Fall Term (Aug.)
Spring Term (Jan.)
Summer Term (May) Recommended
$668/Credit
An Online Master’s Degree for Teaching Diverse Students
Our online Teaching Diverse Learners Master of Arts degree will help you teach two growing groups of learners. This program is for licensed teachers who want to add two important endorsements: Special Education Generalist, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education.
This is one of the only programs of its kind in the nation. You earn a master’s degree and two new endorsements all in one program.
This program is delivered completely online, so you can fit your studies around your schedule. During your field experience you will apply what you learn in the school where you teach or nearby.
What You’ll Learn
This program teaches you to help students with special needs, and students from varied backgrounds who are multilingual. You will learn to:
- Teach language through meaningful engagement.
- Support and teach learners with exceptionalities.
- Identify and develop cognitive skills.
- Add important techniques to your classroom teaching.
- Enhance learning for every student in the classroom.
Fill High-Demand Teaching Roles
Help Students in the Classroom and Beyond
This program will give you the skills and strategies to help all of your students. Learn to connect with them and empower them on their educational journey.
In-Demand Skills: Most schools have a growing number of students who have special education needs and those who bring cultural and language diversity to the classroom. Teachers who can help these students are highly valued.
Career Options: With these credentials you can stay in your classroom, making an impact with more of your students. You can also become a specialized resource teacher for students who need extra help.
Eligibility for Two Endorsements
This master’s degree is combines coursework for two Colorado teaching endorsements:
- Special Education Generalist (ages 5-21)
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (grades K-12)
This program will qualify you for credential requirements in most states. If you plan to work outside of Colorado, please see the Licensure Eligibility by State section below.
Please note: this program does not include initial teacher licensure.
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
Online courses: You will take courses dedicated to each separate discipline, plus some combined CLD/SPED courses.
Field experiences: you will complete a CLD/SPED field experience in your school or nearby.
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 33-credit master’s degree program.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Dalton Chamberlin
Enrollment Counselor
Anne O. Davidson Shafer
Program Coordinator (Dr. D)
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Requirements
- You must have a valid teaching license (Elementary, Secondary or Early Childhood).
- * Three credits of approved literacy instruction.
- * Evidence of familiarity with a second language.
* These two items are not a condition of admission. They can be completed while completing program requirements.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
Licensure Eligibility by State
UNC’s professional licensure programs are designed to lead to Colorado licensure. Each state sets their own requirements, so a UNC program might not lead to licensure in other states. Visit the UNC Licensure page to learn more about which states UNC programs meet educational requirements for licensure.
It’s important to understand requirements in the state where you plan to work. Visit the State Licensure Boards page to find each state’s licensing agency and contact information. Questions? Contact Licensure@unco.edu.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Departments
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
Licensure Eligibility by State
This program is related to a state licensure, endorsement or other credential. If you intend to pursue a credential outside of Colorado, please check the Licensure Eligibility by State section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Recommended Application Deadlines
For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:
- Summer term: March 15
- Fall term: June 15
- Spring term: Nov. 15
You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact an Enrollment Counselor for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Teaching Diverse Learners: Dual endorsement in Special Education and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (M.A.)
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.), Spring Term (Jan.) or Summer Term (May)
- Please note: Though you can start this program any term, we do recommend starting in summer term for the most student-friendly progression through the program.
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
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Application Checklist & Status