Are you thinking about working in the field of education?

Are you passionate about helping students reach their full potential by considering their individual needs?

Do you feel that there is room for improvement in the traditional teaching methods?

Then earning a Master of Arts in Educational Therapy may be the perfect choice for you. As an educational therapist, you can contribute and advocate for individualized teaching strategies that support student needs. 

Adapting to how each student absorbs and processes new information will benefit their future, their communities, and their personal lives. Be part of the change!

What is Holistic Education?

Practicing holistic education means working to meet students’ emotional, social, ethical, and academic needs.

This form of learning focuses on each child’s academic timeline and betters their personal needs. It also provides and encourages a positive and supportive school setting, thus creating a safe space.

Most K-12 education in the United States has followed the model known as traditional learning. The traditional learning style typically consists of taking lecture notes and memorizing various topics.

The traditional approach can be seen as a “one size fits all” solution. It can be very isolating for children who are growing up with challenges and are unaware that they need specialized support.

Holistic learning assigns students projects that encourage critical thinking. These projects help students to understand how their choices can affect their communities. They can use this knowledge to help solve real-life situations.

Overall, holistic education provides a supportive and inclusive environment that offers students a sense of safety and respect. Students are given the tools, skills, and knowledge to help them thrive in their academic and personal lives.

Understanding Educational Therapy

Educational therapists work to evaluate each student’s needs through different methods. This includes individual assessments, observations, and interviews. They also work to help students develop helpful skills to thrive in the classroom such as:

• Develop critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Creating better study habits

Outside of academic success, children will develop the social skills to become successful in their personal and emotional lives. This helps students develop and understand empathy, clear communication, and to better understand their emotions.

What Individual Needs are Supported?

Educational therapy is a diverse field that is a combination of educational and therapeutic practices. This helps students to work with and overcome their learning challenges.

Educators work closely with students, their families, teachers, and other professionals to create a plan for academic and overall well-being.

The goal is to provide a personalized game plan to support cognitive, emotional, and behavioral blocks to learning. Various learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral problems, or other difficulties are supported. A few examples are: 

• Reading challenges
• Issues with attention
• Mathematic difficulties
• Challenges with spelling and written language
• Difficulties with organization and time management
• Executive function disorders

Every child deserves to learn in a classroom setting that considers their strengths, weaknesses, and needs. Having an understanding support system provides a comfortable setting for students to ask for help and verbalize what they need. Creating and fostering a safe and inclusive environment will only benefit students in the long run.

Career Opportunities

Some common work opportunities in this field of study are:

1. Educational Therapists: Conduct assessments, develop individualized educational plans (IEPs), and create a guide for academic and emotional progress.
2. Education Consultant: Provides guidance and support to schools and educational organizations. Work in areas such as special education law, assessment practices, curriculum development, and classroom management strategies.
3. Program Coordinator: Oversee the development, implementation, and coordination of educational programs. Communicate with stakeholders to support inclusion.
4. Behavioral Interventionist: Support behavioral challenges or emotional disturbances by developing individualized plans and behavior management strategies.
5. Educational Researcher: Explore clear mediation methods, review program outcomes, and apply evidence-based practices in the field.
6. Special Education Teacher: Design and implement IEPs to create healthy learning environments. Work in public or private schools. 
7. Learning Support Specialist: Collaborate with teachers and parents to address academic challenges. Develop strategies, materials, and assessments to meet student needs. Work in schools K-12 and colleges.
8. Academic Coach: Help students with study, organizational, and self-advocacy skills. Provide support in balancing homework, setting goals, and dealing with challenges. Work in schools, tutoring centers, or private practice.
9. The demand for skilled education therapists continues to grow as more emphasis is placed on inclusive education supporting diverse learning needs.

How to Become an Educational Therapist

To earn a master’s degree, you’ll need to enroll in grad school. Before you apply, you must have completed your bachelor’s degree. Your undergraduate degree doesn’t have to be in any specific field to apply to grad school. For educational therapy, you will not be required to have teaching credentials.

When searching for the right fit, there are several variables to consider. These include:

• Time commitments (full-time versus part-time)
• Schedule flexibility
• Commute
• Finances
• Enroll in online learning, in-person, or a hybrid of both.

Take the time to find the right higher education program that works with your needs and goals.

NDNU’s Online Program

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) offers a fully online master’s degree program in educational therapy. 

This program prepares you to become a successful and empathetic professional. The curriculum reviews how to work with families and educational professionals. While learning how to apply evidence-based practices and inclusive teaching.

NDNU welcomes applicants from various states for online learning. Please review the applicable states before applying. These states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and South Carolina.

What You Will Learn at NDNU?

With a Master of Arts in Educational Therapy, you can make a lasting impact on the lives of students. You’ll graduate knowing the connection between education and therapy. Here is a further breakdown of what you will learn in educational therapy through NDNU.

Educational Therapy Foundations

To develop a solid understanding of the field, you’ll be taught about the historical, theoretical, and philosophical foundation of education therapy.

Assessment and Intervention

Learn about assessment tools and strategies that are used to identify and pinpoint strengths, challenges, and educational goals. Discover how to tailor your approach to meet the specific needs of each child.

Special Education Law and Advocacy

You’ll gain knowledge about the legal and ethical aspects of special education laws, along with the rights of students with disabilities. You’ll also learn how to advocate for inclusive education and support families on how to deal with the education system.

Developmental Psychology

This course provides insight into human development throughout one’s lifespan. This includes cognitive, emotional, and social aspects. Understanding these principles helps customize interventions to the needs of each child.

Learning Disabilities and Disorders

Investigate the features, evaluation, and individualized intervention techniques related to various learning disabilities and disorders. Examples include dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and emotional disturbances.

Collaborative Consultation

Collaborating with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create a cohesive support system for students is a must. NDNU’s coursework focuses on developing effective communication, collaboration, and consultation skills.

Get Started Online with NDNU

Does working in educational therapy feel like the right fit for you? If you’re ready to start your journey toward becoming an inclusive education therapist, speak to our Admissions team today!