Master’s in Special Education
Special education is a term used to describe students with special educational needs, including learning disabilities, physical disabilities and more. Special education teachers continue to be needed more each year. To work as a special education teacher, you must have a degree in special education. Interested in learning more about the Master’s in Special Education? Continue reading.
Who Should Earn a Master’s in Special Education?
Is a Master’s in Special Education for everyone? That’s often a commonly asked question by individuals considering this degree. This master’s degree may not be necessary for every teacher, but it can be beneficial. Earning a master’s degree in special education should be considered by these individuals.
- Teachers who want more than one career opportunity available to them.
- Teachers who want to take their degree to a higher level.
- Teachers who want to work with students in need of special education.
- Teachers who want a job that is very much in demand.
- Teachers who want to be able to earn higher wages.
Is a Master’s in Special Education Worth It?
Earning a master’s degree in any major is a big decision. It takes time, money, and commitment. In some occupations, earning a bachelor’s degree is sufficient to obtain the job the individual wants. An educator can teach with a bachelor’s degree, but many schools require the teacher to have a master’s degree.
Teachers with master’s degrees are also qualified for various certifications. Having a master’s degree in teaching is almost always worth it and having a master’s in special education is a plus for many reasons with the most obvious reason being you’re qualified to teach almost any kind of student.
Benefits of working in Special Education
There are various benefits to earning a master’s degree in special education. Students with behavioral and learning disabilities need extra time and attention. Having a master’s degree in special education provides you with the skills necessary to help these students. This is just one of the various benefits of having this degree.
- Being successful with students brings a great sense of victory and accomplishment.
- Having a master’s degree in special education puts you in a position for higher-paying jobs.
- This degree is also a great way to advance your career to more job possibilities.
- You’re in a position where you can make a real change in a student’s life and home.
- You can earn a master’s degree in special education online.
Salary and Job Prospects for Special Education Teachers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that special education teachers are expected to experience good job growth between 2021 and 2031. A growth of about four percent is predicted, which is like all other occupations. During that decade, these professionals will see about 37,600 job openings per year.
These openings will result from teachers seeking other occupations or retiring. In addition to working as special education teachers, these individuals with a master’s in special education may find the following jobs.
- Educational Administrator
- Adult Basic Literacy Teacher
- Secondary Education Teacher
- Career and Technical Education Teacher
- Post-Secondary Teacher
- Post-Secondary Administrator
- Community and Social Service Manager
- Instructional Coordinator
Special education teachers with a master’s degree also can earn very good wages. As of a May 2021 BLS report, special education teachers earned an average annual wage of $61,820 with the lowest ten percent earning about 46,180, and the top 90 percent earning about $100,040. Wages can vary by different factors.
Below are the states where special education teachers earned the highest wages in 2021.
- New York – $102,960
- Massachusetts – $92,330
- Delaware – $89,090
- Oregon – $87,990
- Wisconsin – $83,560
One of the various reasons why earning a master’s in special education is so appealing, besides the fact that you can help troubled students, is that the degree can be earned online. A large majority of students pursuing this degree are already working as teachers and don’t want to quit to attend college.
Online special education master’s degree programs allow them to continue teaching while earning the degree. Most educational teaching programs require the student to complete an in-classroom internship at the end of the program.
Since the student is already working in a classroom, completing the practical experience is simpler than ever. Below are some popular master’s in special education programs along with a little information on each program.
15 Top Online Master’s in Special Education Programs
1. Campbellsville University
Master of Arts in Special Education
Campbellsville is a private Christian university known for its numerous online programs. The 30-credit master’s in special education program is offered in two options. One is for educators already teaching, and the other is for those seeking initial certification. Both programs can be completed in 18 months.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
This 100-percent self-paced program was ranked as one of the best online special education master’s degree programs. This school is also known for its affordability to students. Out-of-state students pay the same tuition as in-state students.
2. Touro College
Master of Science in Special Education
This fully online program requires completion of 36-42 credits and can typically be completed in four years. Students must complete regular courses, a field experience, a practicum, and a portfolio. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA and must complete a specific number of liberal arts courses.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
Self-paced courses allow students to study and do assignments at their own pace. Students can choose from three-degree majors: teaching students with disabilities, childhood, and special education, and early childhood and special education.
3. University of Alaska Southeast
Master of Arts Teaching – Special Education
This 33-credit fully online program requires students complete a practicum and a master’s research project. Applicants must submit an essay, two letters of recommendation and have a bachelor’s degree with a state teaching certificate and a 3.0 GPA. The special focus is on special needs students in remote or rural areas.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
The program, which is CAEP-accredited, offers courses that cover all areas of special education so graduates can work with several different grades. This program prepares students for initial certification.
4. New Mexico State University
Master of Arts in Special Education
The MA in Special Education program at NMSU is a fully online program that takes about four years to complete and includes scheduled classes. Students must complete 30-42 credits and complete a field experience.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
The Master of Arts program offers various options for students, including licensure, initial certification, second license, and more. Out-of-state students do not pay higher tuition.
5. University of West Alabama
Master of Education in Special Education
This online 42-credit program includes both coursework and completion of a practicum. Full-time students who choose the eight-week class option can earn the degree in one to two years. Students without special education experience may need to complete a practicum and a special ed survey course.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
This program comes with an emphasis on collaborative teaching (6-12). Upon graduation, students are ready for certification and licensure.
6. Drury University
Master of Education in Special Education
DU’s special education degree is a 30-33-credit-hour program that’s fully online. Students learn about behavior analysis, evaluating ambitions and achievements, and interventions. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and submit a personal statement.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
The program also offers alternative tracks for certification in dyslexia and mild/moderate disabilities. Students can personalize their curriculum to meet their areas of interest.
7. Purdue University
Master of Science in Education – Special Education
The MSE program in special education is a fully online program that offers several special ed options both for licensure and non-licensure. Students will complete coursework and a practicum.
What’s Special about This Special Ed Program?
This accredited program was ranked among the top online special education programs in 2022. Students can complete the courses at their own pace.
8. Wichita State University
Master of Education in Special Education
This special education master’s degree program is fully online and requires completing 30 credit hours. It offers four areas of emphasis: low incidence, high incidence, high incidence alternative certification, and early childhood unified.
What’s Special about This Special Ed Program?
The program has no GRE requirement. The various options allow students to study the areas that most interest them. This program is financially aid eligible.
9. University of Georgia
Master of Arts in Education – Special Education
The MA in special ed program allows students to study both full or part-time. This program can be completed in two years. Students receive both evidence-based and research-based instructions and must complete a thesis.
What’s Special about This Special Ed Program?
This program allows students to choose from three areas of interest: general curriculum, adapted curriculum/autism, and birth through kindergarten.
10. Michigan State University
Master of Arts in Special Education
MSU’s special education degree is a fully online 33-36 credit program that offers specializations in learning disabilities and autism. In addition to completing courses, students must obtain practical experience working in a special education setting.
What’s Special about This Special Ed Program?
Like many others listed here, this program is ranked among the best online special ed graduate programs.
11. University of Wisconsin Superior
Master of Science in Education – Special Education
This 100 percent online program can be completed in one to two years; at which time they will be ready to teach special education students.
What’s Special about This Special Ed Program?
There is no GRE requirement. The program is very affordable and results in WI certification. This is also the only graduate teaching program for special education in the University of Wisconsin System.
12. Minot State University
Master of Education in Special Education
The online M.Ed. program at MSU requires completing 32-45 credits. Students must complete courses as well as a practicum and thesis. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, a 2.75 GPA, letters of recommendation, and a purpose of intent.
What’s Special about This Special Ed Program?
Students can choose from three areas: special education strategist, deaf/hard of hearing education, and early childhood special education. Tuition is affordable and the same for out-of-state students.
13. Liberty University
Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education
Liberty University is a Christian University that teaches its courses from a Christian perspective. The MAT special education program is a 36-credit 100 percent online program that offers six areas of specialization and can be completed in 18 months.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
Students can choose from a general curriculum or an adapted one, which allows them to choose the courses that meet their career goals. Students can also earn additional endorsements and certifications by opting to take the 45- or 51-credit track.
14. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Education in Special Education
This 30-credit program offers core courses needed for special education teachers as well as seven-week classes for early graduation. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and two letters of recommendation. They must also have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 and a special ed teaching certificate.
What’s Special About This Special Ed Program?
This program includes scheduled classes and can be completed in 10 months.
15. Fresno Pacific University
Master of Arts in Special Education
Students must submit an education plan and complete an advisement session. The program requires the completion of 33 semester hours. Courses include thesis-based courses, electives, and credentialing courses. Depending on the option chosen, students can earn this degree in one to three years.
What’s Special about This Special Ed Program?
Up to nine credits can be transferred from another university. Students have various options so they can choose the option that most aligns with their career goals. The program is offered as an online, hybrid, or on-campus program.
Next Steps
Working in special education is rewarding and fulfilling, and you can start on the path today by requesting information from a few different programs to see which one is the best fit.