Masters in Special
Education Online

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Students need to understand that many universities offer masters in special education online programs. But not all programs are the same. In this section, let us dig deep into these programs, understand the full details.

Masters in Special Education Online Degree Types

There are three types of online master’s degrees in Special Education. The one that’s best for you depends on whether you plan to move on to a doctorate program or if you prefer to remain as a special education teacher/administrator. Let’s examine the distinctions between the three:

Specializations in Masters in Special Education Online Programs

Special education is a sub-concentration of Education Masters Degrees. Within the Masters in Special Education online curriculum, some concentrations prepare students to work in specialized niches in the field.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in Special Education Online Programs

Special education courses build the foundation of skills necessary to work in a therapeutic relationship with disabled K-12 students. Some children may be difficult to work with. Some may reject your help entirely.  But rest assured, you’ll be trained to handle these and other concerns. Here are examples of the skill set required for success and the special education courses that build your abilities:

Accreditation for Masters in Special Education Online Programs

Employers and licensing organizations require students to graduate from accredited online master’s programs in special education. Voluntary accreditation assures that your university meets academic quality and standards for the profession. Graduate students are only eligible for federal financial aid programs if they’re attending an accredited university.

National accreditations come from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).  Students should look for accreditation from one of the below six regional commissions:

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

For detailed information, visit our Accreditation Page.

Timeline for graduation from Masters in Special Education Online Programs

The time you take your first class to when you graduate from a Masters of Special Education online typically takes from one to two years. But many factors influence the timeline. The number of total credits required for the degree affects the length of the program. So does the amount of classes you’re allowed to take each semester. But mainly, it’s up to you. If you attend on a full-time basis, the time to graduate is quicker than for part-time students. The program’s length also depends on whether you hold a bachelor’s degree in an education field. If not, you may have to take prerequisites, further extending the timeline.  There are accelerated programs too that can be completed sooner.

Masters in Special Education Online Programs Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to a Masters in Special Education program are established by each university grad school and their education department. Typically, you’ll need to have completed a bachelor’s or masters in education. Before applying to any program, you’re encouraged to study the university admission requirements and all requirements set by the Masters in Special Education program. And start rounding up your support documents and educational records well ahead of the application deadline. Here is a list of the most-common admissions requirements for an Online Masters in Special Education:

According to Franklin University’s research, master’s degree tuition totals from  $30,000 – $40,000 for a public college. Read more about the cost of master’s degrees. Prestigious private universities may charge $100,000 or more. Grad school borrowing is an option, provided you have a means for repaying your loans. n Microsoft Money found the average master’s degree school debt is $66,000 per graduate. To apply for assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Here are financial resources to look into for financial aid:

Federal Loans

Graduate subsidized loans are available from the Department of Education. The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program provides unsubsidized grad school loans up to $20,500 per year.  Direct PLUS Loans are for students with tuition greater than Ford Loans permit.

Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is for students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program. Amounts vary, but grants do not require repayment. There are grants from each state for teachers. To find out the details,contact your state department of education. TEACH Grants to offer up to $3,772 per year to students enrolled in graduate teaching programs.

Federal Work-Study

Your university may offer student teaching assistantships. There is also a federal program for students to undertake a part-time job related to their education.

Find detailed information on how to pay for your degree on the Best Financial Guide.

Scholarships for Online Special Education Students

Scholarships are available for students in a Masters in Special Education online programand do not require repayment. They are awarded based on academic merit or potential and come from universities, special education associations, foundations, and your university education department. Here’s a sample of scholarships for grad students pursuing their Masters in Special Education online:

Bishop Charles P. Greco Graduate Fellowships

Sponsored by The Knights of Columbus, the $500 per semester scholarships are granted to full-time special education master’s students. Special consideration is given to students enrolled in Catholic graduate school. Check for submission deadlines at the fellowship website.

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program

The Gates scholarships are for African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Asian Pacific Islander Americans enrolled in a graduate education degree program. Up to 1,000 scholars are selected annually. The average annual award is 12,785.

Click here

to contact the foundation for application deadlines and other information.

Save a Life Scholarship

Offered twice a year, the $1,500 scholarship is granted by the American Academy of CPR And First Aid to assist school teachers. Applicants must submit essays on their career goals and their plans to advance their education. Application deadlines are accepted in May of each year.

Teacher.org’s “Inspire Our Future” $500 Scholarship

This scholarship is open to experienced teachers pursuing their education or a teacher candidate. You can apply for the scholarship by writing an essay in response to a Teacher.org question. Applications must be completed by April 1 each year.

Online Masters in Special Education programs are designed to give the students the broadest career options in the field.  With experience, you’ll earn more. For example, wages at the low end of the scale for special education teachers are $40,730. At the pinnacle of the profession, special education teachers earn as much as $98,530.  The choice of related careers is extensive. We’ve examined a few options to give you an idea of what’s available.

In many states, certifications and licensing are interchangeable credentials for teaching special education. Since each state sets its standards for licensing, be sure to examine the requirements in your state. As an option, universities are offering an online Masters in Education with Licensure. Here’s what you need to be approved for working with disabled students:

Earn an initial teachers’ license

The first step in getting licensed as a special education teacher is to hold a mandatory regular teaching license.  K-12 teachers are expected to be licensed in the subject that they teach.

Earn your Special Education license

The special education license is designed for current teachers who want to move into special education to work with children. Special education teachers may advance to the elementary, middle, and high school principals and instructional coordinators with experience. You can complete university programs that offer that lead to special education licensure online. Vanderbilt University has a guide to special ed licensing requirements for each state.

Governmental and special education associations are indispensable resources for online Masters in Special Education students and teachers who are already in the profession. Some organizations require memberships; many offer free resources. Joining an organization opens doors to news and research findings, along with invaluable networking opportunities with experts and fellow educators. You’ll find teaching guides, curriculum samples, and materials for use in the classroom. Here are some resources to consider:

• The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET): The National Association of Special Education Teachers is a national membership organization serving special education teachers and those enrolled in a Masters in Special Education online degree program. Members receive a monthly journal and access to professional development courses.
• The National Education Association (NEA): The NEA serves more than 3 million educators in 14,000 American communities. Implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the NEA is committed to providing resources to students pursuing a Masters in Special Education online.
• LD Online: OnLine provides learning disability educators and students with active forums, articles, multimedia, columns by LD experts, a resource guide, LD books, and a research database. You can research federal and state resources.
• The Education Commission of the States: You’ll find information about special education news, state laws, and research results. Members network with special education teachers locally and across the country.