What Is an Online Master's in Special Education Degree?
Online master's degrees in special education can be earned in the following forms: Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Science in Education (MSEd or MSE), or Master of Education (MEd). These programs can lead to initial licensure for those without a current teaching license or education degree who wish to enter the field, or as an additional endorsement area for licensed, practicing teachers. Special education professionals work with students with disabilities to help them reach their full potential. They usually work as teachers, specialists, or administrators in private or public K-12 educational settings. Those working in the field of special education will continue to enjoy job security and stable growth.
The Best Online Masters Degree Programs in Special Education
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University | $15648 | 87% | 71% | 74% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 2 | University of North Dakota | $12058 | 81% | 61% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 3 | Touro College | $12760 | 69% | 61% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 4 | New Jersey City University | $13188 | 95% | 41% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 5 | Rowan University | $15787 | 74% | 73% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 6 | Georgia College & State University | $7314 | 80% | 64% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 7 | Texas Tech University | $8181 | 69% | 61% | 78% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 8 | University of Delaware | $34956 | 71% | 81% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 9 | Sam Houston State University | $8016 | 83% | 54% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | The University of West Florida | $9062 | 31% | 46% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 11 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | $7381 | 85% | 56% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 12 | Michigan State University | $18858 | 71% | 81% | 70% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 13 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | $9540 | 65% | 53% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 14 | Midwestern State University | $6609 | 79% | 45% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 15 | Florida International University | $11106 | 58% | 63% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 16 | University of Kansas | $11045 | 93% | 67% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 17 | University of Northern Colorado | $12894 | 91% | 52% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 18 | Lamar University | $8264 | 84% | 34% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 19 | University of Hawaii at Manoa | $16814 | 58% | 61% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 20 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | $12340 | 75% | 77% | 81% | No | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 21 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | $12659 | 71% | 68% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 22 | University of Arizona | $13271 | 85% | 65% | 91% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 23 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | $7138 | 83% | 50% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 24 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | $8577 | 80% | 70% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 25 | University of Northern Iowa | $10432 | 79% | 67% | 83% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 26 | The University of Texas at Tyler | $7578 | 83% | 42% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 27 | Ball State University | $9512 | 77% | 67% | 91% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 28 | Texas A & M University-College Station | $10173 | 58% | 82% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 29 | University of West Georgia | $6362 | 59% | 45% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 30 | University of North Texas | $7788 | 74% | 56% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 31 | Fort Hays State University | $4356 | 91% | 43% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 32 | Fitchburg State University | $5742 | 88% | 58% | 91% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 33 | University of Florida | $12737 | 37% | 88% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 34 | University of Toledo | $15809 | 96% | 50% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 35 | Stephen F Austin State University | $7273 | 68% | 52% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 36 | Southwestern College | $11580 | No Available Data (2019-2020) | 42% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 37 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | $8474 | 63% | 50% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 38 | University of Houston | $9372 | 65% | 61% | 87% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 39 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | $9118 | 79% | 62% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 40 | Virginia Commonwealth University | $15086 | 87% | 67% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 41 | Holy Family University | $9290 | 73% | 58% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 42 | Miami University-Oxford | $14370 | 80% | 81% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 43 | University of Missouri-Columbia | $10478 | 81% | 71% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 44 | Pittsburg State University | $8322 | 96% | 52% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 45 | Auburn University | $11504 | 81% | 79% | 72% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 46 | Southern New Hampshire University | $18810 | 88% | 44% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 47 | Portland State University | $13218 | 96% | 48% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 48 | West Virginia University | $10134 | 84% | 61% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 49 | Indiana University-Bloomington | $10873 | 78% | 79% | 84% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 50 | Ohio University-Main Campus | $9720 | 82% | 65% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.
*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Why Should I Get an Online Special Education Master's Degree?
Online master's degrees are a great option for students who wish to study with flexibility. Classes for master's in special education are 100% online with students only needing to complete internship and/or practicum hours in-person. This makes pursuing an online degree an attractive alternative to traditional campus study for those balancing work or family commitments. For students unable to relocate, online education opens up the possibility of attending any university nationwide.
Special education is a growing field best suited to individuals who enjoy working with children or teens and want to make a difference helping them to reach their goals. These educators see abilities rather than disabilities and are typically patient, caring, and willing to advocate for their students. An advanced degree in special education could lead to salary increases and more job opportunities. Additionally, master's level teachers bring specialized expertise to the classroom to better serve their students' needs.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Special Education?
Time to completion for an online master's in special education varies depending on concentration and whether the student is pursuing their degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Typically, programs can be completed in 1-2 years, with some accelerated options lasting as few as 10 months. The total time to completion includes coursework as well as mandatory teaching practice and observation. Internship and practicum hours vary by program as states have different requirements for licensure.
Curriculum for Online Master's Degree Programs in Special Education
Curricula for online master's programs in special education vary from school to school but generally include similar foundational courses. Beyond the basic core courses, students typically have some flexibility in elective classes or specialist areas such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) or training based on mild, moderate or intense interventions for varying degrees of impairment. Most online programs combine theory with practice, especially degrees preparing students for initial licensing. This practice involves teaching internships and/or practicums that are carried out in a school setting.
Special Education Foundational Courses
Foundational courses in special education master's degrees focus on research, methodology, basic instructional design, and methods for assessing student needs. These classes aim to prepare future educators to understand all of the important aspects involved in identifying student areas of improvement, their natural abilities, and the best way to meet the challenges that traditional education presents. Solid research skills will help future teachers to solve problems and create interventions based on best practices in the current literature. Other integral topics taught as core educational requirements include:
- Special education research
- Instructional technology in special education
- Educational assessment
- Teaching culturally diverse learners
- Curriculum design
Included in many online master's programs in special education are mandatory in-person classroom observation and practice hours. These hours vary by state due to differences in licensing requirements.
Special Education Specialist and Elective Courses
Specialist areas within special education allow students to gain further training and expertise to serve specific student populations. Disabilities come in many forms including physical, developmental, and intellectual. Deaf students may have no cognitive or developmental impairments but require help communicating. Alternatively, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may have behavioral or intellectual disabilities ranging from mild to severe. Special educators trained in these specific areas will be better able to help the students they work with. Some specializations within special education include:
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Autism
- Mild, moderate, and/or intense intervention
Licensure and Certification in Special Education
In order to teach in a K-12 public school, prospective teachers must be state certified. Each state's department of education handles their own certification process so requirements may vary based on location. Not all private schools require state certification although some may prefer to hire certified candidates.
To become certified, teachers must first complete a bachelor's degree in education or have a bachelor's in any subject with a master's in education that includes initial licensure. Students with a bachelor's degree in education who are currently teachers will need to add an endorsement area in special education before working with this population. These preparation programs can be completed online with additional hours for student teaching placements. Some of these opportunities available in states nationwide include:
- New Jersey online certification programs
- New York online certification programs
- Texas online certification programs
Aspiring teachers must then submit an application to their state licensing board after completing any state-specific tests. Over 40 states require the Praxis core exam and may also ask for scores from the subject assessment test for special education.
Admissions Requirements for Online Special Education Master's Programs
Online master's in special education programs generally have minimum requirements as well as documents necessary to be considered for admission. Most programs look for students with at least a 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA as well as a bachelor's degree. Programs adding an endorsement area require an education degree while initial licensure programs will accept unrelated majors. GPA and prior study are evidenced through the submission of official transcripts. The following additional materials may requested, depending on the university:
- Application fee
- GRE scores
- Personal statement
- Letter(s) of reference from academic and/or professional source(s)
- Resume/CV
For current teachers pursuing an endorsement area, programs generally require submission of a valid teaching license.
What Can I Do with a Special Education Master's Degree?
An online master's degree in special education can lead to several different career paths. The most common job graduates pursue is special education classroom teacher. However, outside of teaching, individuals who earn a master's degree in this field can go on to work in administration in roles like principal, assistant principal, or educational diagnostician. Some graduates may get involved in designing curriculum, or enter the publishing world to create or edit instructional materials or textbooks. There are also opportunities to pursue additional certification or training such as the special education supervisor certification offered online in several states, including Pennsylvania.
Job Outlook for a Master's in Special Education
Jobs in the special education field are expected to grow over the next ten years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that between 2019-2029, 14,300 jobs will be added to the labor market. This represents a 3% increase which is growth on par with all other occupations. As diagnostics and recognition of learning and developmental disabilities such as autism improve, more children will require early intervention and special education services. Teachers with an advanced degree and specialized training in applied behavior analysis are likely to be more competitive in the job market. According to the BLS, federal law mandates that special education funding must remain steady every year. This provides additional job security for teachers who will not be threatened by budget cuts.
How to Become a Special Education Assistant
Special education assistants are support workers in the classroom. Assistants can work in special education classrooms or in mainstreamed classes where they assist students with disabilities one-on-one to understand the materials and manage behavioral issues. They may collect data or make notes on student progress.
Special education assistants generally have an associate's degree or at least two years of college completed. Classes typically include topics like child development, early intervention, and introduction to curriculum for students with disabilities. Interested individuals may have the option to earn a special education assistant certificate online. These programs may be hybrid with classes online and classroom practicums in-person.
The BLS estimates that employment for teacher assistants will increase by 4% between the ten year period between 2019-2029. As of May 2019, teacher assistants made an annual median salary of $27,920. Public school assistant teachers made a slightly higher wage of $28,520.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers are an integral part of public and private school settings and provide support to students with learning, developmental, and/or physical disabilities. These individuals are responsible for the planning and implementation of educational programming for special needs students through the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Special education teachers monitor and record student progress throughout the year in order to document milestones as goals are met.
To become a special education teacher, students must complete the minimum of a bachelor's degree in education or a master's degree in special education with initial licensure. Those who are currently licensed teachers but wish to add a special education endorsement area must complete a master's program as well. After finishing coursework and obligatory teaching practice hours, aspiring teachers must apply for state certification or licensure. Rules to become state certified vary by state and may include passing a Praxis core and/or subject assessment test, or other state-specific exam. A background check is required for anyone working with children in the school system.
Teachers working in special education made a median annual salary of $61,030 as of May 2019, according to the BLS. High school teachers made the most at $61,710 while preschool teachers earned a slightly lower salary of $60,000. It's estimated that private school teachers earned significantly less than their public school counterparts with a median wage of $53,560.
Common Undergraduate Degrees for Special Education
Students wishing to enter the field of special education by way of an online master's can come from a general education background or an unrelated major. Master's in special education programs are designed to cater to trained teachers as well as those just starting out in education. For programs that aim solely to add an endorsement area in special education, an education undergraduate degree and teaching license is required. However, for career changers or those with a bachelor's degree in another subject, initial licensure programs prepare students to receive a master's level qualification as well as to qualify for state teaching certification.
Special Education Professional Organizations
Advocacy plays an important role in the special education field and involvement in a professional organization could help special education practitioners further the rights and services for individuals with disabilities.
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): the CEC describes itself as the largest international organization that is dedicated to promoting the rights and improvement of academic success for exceptional children with diverse disabilities, gifts, and/or talents. Membership categories are broken up into student, early career, and professional and offer networking and professional development opportunities, liability insurance, access to materials, and more.
- International Association for Special Education (IASE): representing members from over 50 countries, the IASE works to raise awareness of the issues affecting those with special needs around the world. IASE offers reduced membership dues for students as well as those from developing countries. Members enjoy a host of benefits including, but not limited to, a subscription to the Journal of the International Association of Special Education (JIASE), volunteer service project opportunities, and delivery of a quarterly newsletter.
- National Association for Special Education Teachers (NASET): a platform for special education teachers across the US, NASET has numerous membership benefits for students and professionals. Aside from offering a Professional Development Program and over 100 free courses, NASET also offers the opportunity to become board certified in special education. This organization has a heavy focus on educational series designed to help grow the knowledge base for special education professionals.
Post-Graduate Options After Completing a Master's in Special Education
Doctoral programs in special education can be awarded as a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). These degrees generally take 3-5 years to complete based on full-time or part-time enrollment, respectively. A doctoral degree in special education can lead to roles as a teacher in K-12 or postsecondary settings, an educational consultant, or a department head or principal. Doctoral-level professionals may also engage in advocacy or policy for individuals with special needs. Careers in research are also open to individuals holding an Ed.D. or Ph.D. Those with a doctorate in special education may be more competitive in the job market and could enjoy a higher income than those with a bachelor's or master's degree.
Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants for Online Master's in Special Education Programs
Financing an online master's in special education is possible with the help of scholarships, federal student loans, and grants. The US government offers financial aid in the form of subsidized and unsubsidized loans that must be repaid six months after graduation. To apply, students must complete an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form collects demographic and financial information to determine eligibility and aid award amounts. Both undergraduate and graduate students may avail of this type of aid.
Grants and scholarships are two types of aid that do not need to be repaid at any time. Grants are awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need. For those who do not qualify for grants, scholarships are an option open to all students who meet the scholarship's minimum requirements. Scholarships can be provided by public or private entities and vary in the amount of money students receive. UPS for DownS, a non-profit, offers several scholarships annually. Of the 4 available, one awards $1,500 to students pursuing a graduate degree who have a sibling with Down syndrome. Money can be applied toward tuition, fees, and/or books and supplies.
