Best Master's in Special Education Degree Programs

A bachelor's degree in special education or a bachelor's degree in childhood special education would be particularly useful in providing a good level of prior understanding of the nature of special education prior to completing this master's degree. Other bachelor's degrees that could prove useful in developing prior knowledge and understanding are those involving human development, child psychology, education, or disabilities. Although there is officially no particular requirement to have obtained one of these bachelor's degrees, and one in any discipline is often accepted, different schools may have entrance requirements that determine acceptable bachelor's degrees.

Entry into a master's in special education program requires a bachelor's degree, often with a minimum 3.0 GPA. An application must be submitted and an application fee is usually payable. A written essay or personal statement is also often required, stating why the candidate is suitable for the program regarding experience, skills, and aptitude. In addition, two recommendations are often required to confirm the candidate's suitability for the program. Official transcripts must also be sent from prior institutions to confirm academic attainment and schools are likely to request a curriculum vitae or resume. Candidates should consult the admissions criteria of their chosen institution to ensure the correct documentation is provided.

The primary reason for obtaining a master's in special education is to increase specialist knowledge of children and adolescents with learning difficulties, disabilities and illness, by exploring pedagogical theory and practice in more depth, thus enabling practitioners to more effectively meet their specific needs. Gaining a master's degree in addition to a bachelor's degree in special education can provide further opportunities to enter more senior career positions, as well as enabling access to a doctorate in special education if desired. Some master's programs also offer teacher certification if this has not already been achieved through a bachelor's degree.

A master's degree in special education can be obtained as an MS (Master of Science), MA (Master of Arts), or MEd (Master of Education). Whilst an MS tends to focus more on research and technical skills, an MA is more behavioral or cultural-based. Gaining an MEd will give further insight into the curriculum and educational leadership.

Another factor to consider when choosing a program is whether to study online or on campus. Some schools offer the opportunity for both, whereas some provide only one of these options. Similarly, some programs have the option to study part-time, rather than full-time. Each school offers its own combination of courses within its master's in special education program, and candidates should research these according to their personal and professional interests, prior experience, and aspirations for the future.

There are a variety of different pathways offered by schools to obtain a master's in special education. Candidates should choose their personal pathway by carefully considering their personal interests, previous experience, strengths, and career aspirations. Schools tend to offer a number of core courses that are supplemented by specialist or elective courses from which students can choose. For those who have not previously been awarded teaching certification, this is also available through the master's program at some schools.

Special Education Foundational Courses

The majority of programs tend to include common core elements to provide in-depth analysis and understanding of the nature of special education, which is essential across a variety of occupations. The following core elements tend to be common to most foundational courses:

• Policy and Law - providing Individual Education Plan provisions
• Curriculum - adapting and implementing the curriculum for learners with special needs
• Assessment - diagnostic procedures, including identification, screening, and referral
• Behavior Management - understanding and implementing behavior interventions
• Inclusion and Differentiation - managing the diverse needs of learners so that they can remain in education

Special Education Specialist & Elective Courses

A variety of specialist and elective courses are offered through different programs, such as:

• The age of the children - for instance, early childhood, elementary, middle, or high school
• Behavior analysis and ethics - understanding motivations for behavior and how to manage these ethically and effectively
• General special education - including psychology, interventions, and instruction in reading and math
• Functional analysis - identifying environmental factors that negatively impact behavior
• Subject specialisms - such as reading or math
• Specific disorders and disabilities - such as autism or physical development

As an example of core and elective courses, see Gonzaga University's course catalog.

Licensure & Certification in Special Education

In some states, it is a requirement for special education teachers with a bachelor's degree to subsequently obtain a master's degree to become fully certified as a teacher, whereas in other states, a bachelor's degree is sufficient. It is therefore essential to consider the possible location of future teaching roles. Visit Teach.com to research teacher certification requirements by state.

Students who wish to teach and have not achieved prior certification can obtain this within their master's degree if a suitable program is chosen. Some schools offer master's programs both with and without certification. Private schools do not require teachers to be licensed by law.

Upon successful completion of a master's in special education program, graduates may then choose to enroll in a doctorate program. This can lead to a career in research or in teaching special education at colleges and universities. The Ph.D. is designed to develop expertise in sustainable practices that ensure high achievement and independence for young people with special needs. Candidates will need to have had relevant experience in special education and a master's degree in special education or a similar discipline.

The National Association of Education Teachers (NASET) was set up to support special education teachers, including those in training, and provide a national forum so that collectively, they are able to provide the highest standards of education for young people with special needs. It provides access to a wealth of resources, including:

• Professional development courses
• Weekly newsletters
• Powerpoint presentations
• A large database of information on children with special needs
• A special education careers center
• A Q&A corner
• Video lectures
• Resource reviews
• Classroom management series
• Professional reference library

Joining the NASET enables members to keep up to date with relevant information and provides a good support network. It prides itself on being the only national association dedicated solely to special education. At the time of writing, membership costs $59 for one year or $95 for a 2-year subscription. Students' fees are priced at $50 and $85 respectively, and there is an option to pay in two installments. For immediate access to all resources, registration is available online.

Although the most common career path after completing a master's in special education is as a special education teacher, other career options in this field include elementary, middle, and high school principal; instructional coordinator; or, with further study and training, social worker. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics has further information on these and other occupations.

Special education teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They are responsible for adapting lessons to suit the specific needs of the learner. They teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in a variety of subjects and may also teach basic skills to those with severe disabilities.

Instructional coordinators (also known as curriculum specialists) are responsible for the curriculum and teaching standards across a school or establishment.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Special Education

Obtaining a master's in special education will be beneficial in improving the job outlook in any teaching or related administration field, although the main vocations include special education teacher and instructional coordinator.

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment of special education teachers is predicted to grow by three percent between 2019 to 2029, as disabilities are now being recognized and identified earlier in childhood, enabling specialized support to be implemented in a more timely manner.

The mean salary in May 2020 for special education teachers in the elementary and secondary sector was $68,260 (US Bureau of Labour Statistics).

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, projected job growth of instructional coordinators between 2019 and 2029 will be six percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

The mean salary for instructional coordinators in elementary and secondary schools in May 2020 was $72.070; this was $67,060 in colleges, universities, and professional schools (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes259031.htm#ind)

How to Become a Special Education Teacher

The duties of a special education teacher are varied, but tend to include the following:

• Assessing students to adapt lessons to provide for their specific needs
• Developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that are specific to each student
• Planning activities concerning the IEP
• Teaching and mentoring students within groups of different sizes, including individual teaching
• Monitoring and updating IEPs concerning the outcome of assessments
• Liaising with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding student progress and future needs
• Supervising and mentoring teaching assistants to ensure students' needs are being met
• Supporting student transition between grades and educational establishments

Special education teachers tend to work during school hours, although they are often required to attend meetings before or after classes. Their work pattern often follows the 10-month school year with a 2-month summer break, although some work during the summer break in specialized programs. For those teachers in districts that follow the year-round schedule, they teach for cycles of 9 weeks followed by a 3-week break over the course of the year. The majority of special education teachers work in a school, although a small number work in students' homes (where they may also teach parents how to help their child to develop), residential facilities, or hospitals.

How to Become an Instructional Coordinator

The duties of an instruction coordinator typically include the following:

• Reviewing and developing curricula and supporting teachers to implement these
• Organizing and conducting teacher training
• Reviewing and recommending learning resources
• Coaching, mentoring, and supporting teachers to improve their practice
• Analyzing students' assessment data
• Evaluating curriculum standards
• Evaluating and recommending the use of specific technologies

The main job of instructional coordinators (also known as curriculum specialists) is to evaluate curricula and teaching techniques of the staff within their establishment. They do this through observation of teachers in class, reviewing and analyzing the data produced by students' assessments, and discussing the curriculum with teachers and other school staff to ensure it is fit for purpose. Where changes to the curriculum are deemed to be necessary, instructional coordinators consult with the school board.

Instructional coordinators work in schools, colleges, or professional schools. Some may work in educational support services or local or state governments. They tend to work full-time, and unlike teachers, they work year-round.

There are a variety of ways of subsidizing finances whilst studying, including grants, loans, and scholarships. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website is a very useful source of information. Federal financial support for a master's in special education may be able to be obtained through federal grants where students apply by completing the FAFSA and can demonstrate financial need, proof of citizenship, or eligibility for funding for noncitizens, and enrolling in an accredited program. Grants do not generally need to be repaid.

It is important to complete the FAFSA well in advance of beginning an academic program; some schools have a deadline of February in the preceding academic year, although applications can be submitted as early as October.

Scholarships can be awarded based on merit or financial need. The Financial Aid Office at your school of choice will be able to give information about scholarships and information can also be found in the reference section of public libraries. It is important to know that there are a lot of scams regarding student scholarships so all offers should be researched carefully.

Loans are another way of supporting students financially, although they will need to be repaid, unlike grants or scholarships. Federal government loans tend to have more benefits than loans from other sources, such as financial institutions, banks, and other organizations.

Individual schools or states may have additional ways of supporting students financially; the school's Financial Aid Office will be a good source of advice. Schools often reward students for returning to them for further studies, so it may be worth considering completing a master's program at the same school that the bachelor's degree was obtained. Schools may also award financial aid to high-achieving students. Graduate assistantships may also be available where students work for the school on a part-time basis alongside their studies in areas such as teaching or research.