Special education master's programs online prepare educators for potentially rewarding careers as advocates, teachers, and leaders in special education.
Often taking 1-2 years to complete, these online programs cover many facets of special education, including building inclusive classrooms and developing individualized instruction.
An online master's degree in special education can pave the way for multiple career paths. For instance, you can become a curriculum director, principal, or service coordinator. Discover what to expect from special education graduate programs.
Featured Online Master's in Special Education
Best Online Special Education Master's Programs
See our rankings methodology page.
Special Education Master's Courses
Special education master's programs often include courses in special education law, ethics, and teaching concepts. They also explore strategies in classroom behavior management, reading intervention, and assessment and evaluation. Expect to see variations of the following courses:
Curriculum Planning for Diverse Learners
This course covers necessary strategies for creating, implementing, and improving curriculums for a classroom of diverse learners and individual learning needs. You may apply learned concepts to a hands-on curriculum-planning project.
Behavior Management Strategies
Special education classrooms require educators with problem-solving skills to encourage positive classroom behaviors. This course introduces strategies to assess and reduce negative behaviors relating to various emotional and learning needs to improve the classroom environment.
Special Education Law
In this course, you will learn federal and state laws governing special education and how they apply to the classroom setting and educator responsibilities. The course may also require studying ethical concepts to explore the relationship between law and conscience-focused teaching.
Reading Instruction and Intervention
This course navigates the pathway between reading assessments and intervention strategies to improve literacy and reading confidence in the classroom. You also learn specific reading instruction strategies targeting key literacy concepts, like comprehension and text structure.
Collaboration with Individualized Education Program (IEP) Planning The IEP plays an integral role in special education. In this course, you will learn to work with students, their families, and their IEP teams using holistic strategies to improve students' academic and developmental experiences in school.
What Can I Do With a Master's in Special Education Degree?
Although graduates with a master's degree in special education often seek classroom positions as special education teachers, you can also transition into related careers in and out of the school setting.
For instance, some professionals may become instructional coordinators for schools or districts while others pursue social and community services careers.
Career Outlook and Salary
Career Outlook* (2021-2031):
4%
Median Annual Salary* (May 2023):
$65,910
*Based on Special Education occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The chart below highlights some potential career paths and salaries available after earning an online master's degree in special education.
| Jobs | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Special Education Teacher | $65,910 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,620 |
| School Principal | $103,460 |
| School Counselor | $61,710 |
| Social Service Manager | $77,030 |
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics
Special Education Concentrations
Many schools with special education master's programs online offer concentrations in various areas of special education. These specializations can lead to licenses, certificates, or endorsements necessary for specific roles.
Reading Intervention
A reading intervention concentration includes literacy instruction, assessment, and intervention courses. Professionals in special education who want to become reading intervention specialists might consider this pathway to obtain a reading endorsement on their teaching license.
Early Childhood Intervention
This concentration is for professionals working primarily with young children with developmental delays or disabilities. By completing this concentration you can often gain licensure or endorsements in early intervention, pre-K special education, or early childhood intervention.
Mild to Moderate Educational Needs
Focused primarily on K-12 learners, this specialization teaches helpful strategies for working with students with mild to moderate educational support. You will use research-based practices to plan tailored curriculums that mesh with students' learning needs.
Deaf Education
A Deaf education concentration explores American Sign Language, advocacy, and instructional methods for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing. By pursuing this specialization you may become a deaf education teacher, student advocate, or IEP team coordinator.
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness
Students who are nondisabled may need social, emotional, or behavioral support as they navigate their education. This concentration highlights strategies you can use with students and their families to work through obstacles that may impede learning.
Licenses and Certifications
Special Education Leadership Certificate: With this specialization, future leaders should feel prepared to plan, oversee, and evaluate programs supporting students with diverse needs. If you're seeking administrative leadership roles in special education you can pursue this pathway.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate: A certificate in autism spectrum disorders prepares you to work with students on the autism spectrum through supportive teaching and behavioral interventions. This specialization also incorporates speech and language intervention strategies to help students communicate.
K-12 Intervention Specialist License: Many states outline specific requirements for intervention specialists, including completing coursework in special education, family collaboration, and behavioral interventions. This concentration often covers the required concepts for intervention specialist licensure.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financing an online special education master's degree is possible with financial aid, including:
Scholarships
Grants
Loans
Work-study programs
Tuition reimbursement
Recipients of scholarships and grants do not have to pay back these forms of financial aid. While loans must be repaid, students can often begin paying them after a six-month post-graduation deferment period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Special Education Degrees
What can you do with a master's in special education?
You can pursue a career as a special education teacher working with students with varying physical, developmental, and learning needs. Although you can often begin teaching with a bachelor's degree, some states require additional education for full certification.
A master's in special education can also lead to multiple education-related careers, including curriculum developer, guidance counselor, or special education services coordinator. Professors, intervention specialists, and special education program directors also seek this degree.
What are the requirements for a special education degree?
Special education graduate programs require between 30-40 credits and take 1-2 years to complete. You can explore classroom management, intervention strategies, and instructional methods used in special education settings.
Some master's in special education programs require you to gain experience in a classroom setting in addition to completing traditional coursework. During this portion of the program, you will develop and implement a curriculum, collaborate with other teachers, and work directly with students.
How long does it take to get a master's in special education?
A master's degree in special education usually takes 1-2 years to complete, depending on the number of required credits. However, schools have various requirements that could shorten or lengthen the expected timeframe.
For example, some programs include a licensure pathway to help you receive your initial teaching license, extending the length of the program. Other schools offer accelerated programs that combine bachelor's and master's degrees or shortened classes to reduce time commitments.
What can I expect from an online master's in special education?
Earning a master's in special education online can open doors to rewarding careers working with diverse populations. These programs prepare professionals to meet the needs of people with varying physical, emotional, and learning abilities.
Although these programs are rigorous, learners gain beneficial classroom experience and skills necessary to teach, help, and advocate for students in special education.
