Best Online Master’s in Special Education Programs

A career in special education offers fulfilling work in a field that continues to require more teachers. Though more than 470,000 special education teachers work across the nation, nearly all states report a shortfall for these professionals. Obtaining a master’s in special education may provide a hiring advantage, especially in states that do not require an advanced degree to teach.

This guide explores the benefits of a master’s in special education degree, along with common coursework, potential career prospects, and salary information.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment for special education teachers is set to keep pace with projections for all occupations from 2021-2031, indicating growth.

Special education offers the opportunity to work in early childhood, middle school, and high school settings. Within these age groups, you can specialize your knowledge in areas like autism spectrum disorder, emotional and behavioral disorders, moderate-to-severe disabilities, and learning disabilities.

Pursuing a master’s in special education online can offer several benefits, including :

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Special education stands out from other teaching subject areas for its versatility. An online master’s in special education degree often includes specialized pedagogical courses to train you to work with children and younger individuals with behavioral disorders, language-based disabilities, multiple disabilities, and severe disabilities.

Special education teachers who work in middle school or high school may have the opportunity to teach English, math, social studies, or the creative arts. Most special education master’s programs include classroom experience, where you’ll observe other teachers in action and lead lessons.

You’ll find non-licensure track and licensure track special education programs. A non-licensure master’s degree in special education suits working teachers seeking advanced degrees who do not need the credential. If you are new to teaching, consider a program that prepares you for licensure and/or certification in your state.

Higher education institutions undergo a voluntary validation process known as accreditation. Attending an accredited school provides the peace of mind that your education meets quality standards.

Institutional accreditation also enables you to qualify for federal financial aid and transfer college credits. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize independent agencies that provide institutional accreditation.

Master’s in special education degrees may also receive programmatic accreditation from agencies such as the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and Council for the Accreditation of the Educator Preparation. To qualify for a state-issued teaching credential, you must graduate from a state-approved educator preparation program.

States have different requirements for approval — typically, they require that you graduate from a school with institutional accreditation, though some require programmatic accreditation. Employers may also prefer educators who have completed accredited programs.

Master’s-level graduates can pursue many special education roles. These teachers work in preschools, along with elementary, middle, and high schools. They can also specialize in areas like bilingual education, literacy, creative arts, and STEM.

Kindergarten and elementary special education teachers make up the highest level of employment for this specialization, followed by secondary special education teachers.

Aside from working in the classroom, a master’s in special education can prepare you to pursue a career as an independent consultant, instructional coordinator, behavioral analyst, or assistive technology specialist.

Most master’s in special education programs require each prospective student to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a competitive GPA. Specific admission requirements vary by school and program. For example, some schools require you to submit GRE scores.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate students paid an average of $12,394 in tuition and fees at public institutions in the 2020-2021 academic year. Specific tuition rates vary by school and your status as a student. Luckily, there are many scholarships for aspiring teachers that can help lower your financial burden.

Expect to spend at least 2-3 years completing a master’s in special education when you attend college full time. Accelerated special education degrees may take as few as 12 months if you meet prerequisites.

Yes—the career offers personal and financial rewards, particularly if you work in states with high special education teacher pay. New York, California, Texas, and Washington, D.C., consistently rank as the top-paying jurisdictions for special education teachers, according to the BLS.

Demand for special education teachers varies by grade level and region. Jobs for special education secondary teachers in Arizona, Nevada, and New York are projected to grow by 15% from 2020-2030, according to ONET OnLine. Colorado received a 19% projected growth rate for the role, while growth projections for Utah and Washington, D.C., reached 20% in this period.

Page last reviewed August 28, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ASO Rankings Team.