Based in Lawrence, Kansas, KU now operates five campus locations. KU also offers several programs through distance learning, including an online master's in special education.

The program includes three emphases: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), secondary special education and transition, and high incidence disabilities. The curriculum requires 30-36 credits depending on the emphasis. Sample courses include understanding research in education, career development for youth, and methods for learners with higher-functioning ASD. Students must complete a master's project and practicum to graduate.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, a statement of purpose, official transcripts, three professional references, and a current resume. The application fee is $65.

KU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit online university that provides self-directed programs for working professionals. WGU offers an array of business, teaching, IT, and nursing degrees, including an online master's in special education.

WGU's unique format allows students to move through the curriculum at their own pace without adhering to a traditional term schedule. The curriculum consists of 12 courses, covering behavioral management and intervention, instructional design production, research foundations, and psychoeducational assessment practices. Students must also complete a capstone project, a 240-hour supervised practicum, a teacher work sample project, and pass the Praxis exam to graduate.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree and a teaching license. Applicants must also complete an online learning readiness assessment and complete a 20-30 minute phone interview prior to enrolling.

WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Arkansas State University opened its doors in 1904 as an agricultural school. Today, A-State offers several programs through distance learning, including an online master's in special education.

The program's 36-credit curriculum includes courses in contemporary issues in special education, educational diagnosis and assessment in special education, positive behavior interventions and support, and special education law. Students must also complete an internship to graduate. Each class in the program lasts seven weeks, and students can graduate in 16 months.

Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA and a valid teaching license to qualify for admission. Applicants must provide a copy of their license and submit official transcripts, a written commitment from an approved mentor, and the professional dispositions signature document. The application costs $30.

A-State is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The University of Memphis is a public university located in Memphis, Tennessee. UofM offers several online degrees through its UofM Global campus, including a special education master's degree.

The program trains individuals to teach students with mild learning disabilities or developmental delays. The curriculum emphasizes behavior management, inclusion, and collaboration with teachers. Completing this program leads to initial teaching licensure in special education. The program delivers all online coursework asynchronously.

Prospective students must submit an application, official transcripts from all previously attended schools, and a $35 application fee. The admissions office typically processes applications within 3-6 weeks of receiving a complete application.

The University of Memphis is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 and became the nation's first public university west of the Mississippi River. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers over 125 online degrees, including a master of arts in special education.

The program's 33-credit curriculum covers assessment and evaluation, behavior management, cross-categorical disabilities, and strategies for students with disabilities. Learners typically take one or two courses each semester and complete the program within three years. Students must pass a comprehensive written exam to graduate.

All prospective students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit GRE scores. Prospective students can apply for March 1, May 1, and October 1 deadlines.

Mizzou is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Mizzou's special education program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

A private, Christian university located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, CU offers a variety of online programs, including a special education master's degree

This 30-credit special education degree typically takes two years to complete. Each course in the program lasts eight weeks, and the program delivers all coursework asynchronously. The curriculum includes courses in research methods, learning disabilities, assessment and strategies for success for all students, and reading theories and practice. Students must also complete a research practicum.

Applicants must submit three professional reference letters, GRE or Praxis CORE/CASE scores, a criminal background check, a one-page personal essay, and a copy of their teaching license.

CU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. CU's special education degree is regionally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel offers a variety of distance learning programs, including an online master's in special education.

The 45-credit curriculum includes courses in applied behavior analysis, collaborative special education law and process, and special education leadership. All students in the program complete a thesis, lesson study, or practitioner course as a capstone. The program delivers all coursework asynchronously.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. They must also submit official school transcripts, two professional letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.

Drexel is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. As of March 2020, the special education process was completing the accreditation process with the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Based in Seattle, UW offers a slate of highly-respected distance learning degrees, including an online master's in special education.

This 45-credit curriculum includes a capstone project and final master's examination. The curriculum also covers applied behavior analysis, assessment, instructional strategies, and ethics and professionalism. The program delivers all coursework synchronously, with distance learners logging in at set class times. Graduates can sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board exam.

Prospective students must have a bachelor's degree and six months of experience in applied behavior analysis. Applicants must submit unofficial transcripts, a two-page statement of purpose, GRE test scores, a resume, and two letters of recommendation.

A private, Christian university based in Lynchburg, Virgina, Liberty enrolls the bulk of its 100,000 students in its 400 online programs. Among Liberty's distance learning offerings is an online master's in special education.

The 36-credit program typically takes 1.5 years to complete. The curriculum trains individuals to develop instructional plans and teach students with a range of mild to severe disabilities. Notable courses include collaborating for successful transitions, curriculum fundamentals, and the principles of behavior management. All learners in the program also complete student teaching. Graduates can apply for initial teaching licensure.

Prospective students must have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

National University is the largest private, non-profit university in San Diego, California and offers over 50 online programs, including a special education master's degree.

The 45-credit curriculum covers research, current principles and methods in special education, and law and leadership practices. The program includes a capstone research requirement. NU uses an accelerated format that allows students to focus on one course per month.

Prospective students must submit an application and official transcripts from all previously attended schools and universities for consideration. The admissions office may request additional documents depending on each applicant's academic standing.

NU is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission

A Jesuit university located in Denver, Colorado, Regis offers an array of distance learning degrees, including an online master's in special education. Students may elect to complete this program entirely online or through a hybrid format.

The program's 43-credit curriculum includes courses in teaching exceptional learners, strategies for diverse populations, math for special educators, and professionalism in education. The curriculum also includes a student teaching element and prepares students for the Colorado state licensure process. Each course lasts eight weeks, and most students graduate in three years.

All program applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Prospective students must also complete an interview and submit a resume, official transcripts, and a criminal background check.

Regis is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The University of Texas at Tyler's 259-acre campus is located about halfway between Dallas, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana. UT Tyler offers several distance learning programs, including an online master's in special education with diagnostician certification.

UT Tyler's 36-credit program caters to working educators and takes two years to complete. The program's curriculum adheres to the Council for Exceptional Children Advanced Special Education Diagnostician Specialist Standards and prepares individuals to become a certified educational diagnostician. Notable courses include managing and instructing diverse learners, developmental testing, and school law. The program delivers all coursework asynchronously.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and a valid teaching license to qualify. They must submit official transcripts, GRE scores, and copies of their teaching license and teaching service record. All prospective students must complete an admission interview and pass a criminal background check.

UT Tyler is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Mississippi College is a private university based in Clinton and affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention. MC offers several online programs, including a special education master's degree.

The program's 30-credit curriculum uses an accelerated seven-week course format and typically takes 10 months to complete. The program includes coursework in curriculum development, the psychology of exceptional children, organizational procedures for special education, and current education and psychological testing procedures. Graduates can apply for a special education mild/moderate K-12 endorsement and upgrade their license to Class AA status.

Applicants must have a renewable teaching license in elementary, secondary, or K-12 subject areas. They must submit official transcripts from all previously attended schools or universities, GRE scores, and a copy of a valid teaching license.

MC is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Based in New York City, Touro College is a private university with Jewish roots that offers an online master's in special education. The program includes three concentrations: early childhood and special education (birth-2), childhood and special education (grades 1-6), and teaching students with disabilities (grades 1-12).

The program's 42-credit curriculum covers the history and philosophy of education and special education, educational technology in general and special education, and basic reading and writing instruction. Students must also complete a practicum and a field experience. Successfully completing this program leads to licensure in both general and special education.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must also submit official school transcripts and GRE or GMAT scores.

Indiana University Bloomington is IU's flagship campus. IU offers several programs through distance learning, including a special education master's degree.

This program caters to licensed educators looking to add certification for mild or intense intervention to their current license. The curriculum includes core courses in assessment and remediation of the mildly handicapped; classroom management and behavior support; collaboration and service delivery; and families, schools, and society. In addition to coursework, students must complete a field experience in a classroom in their community.

Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA. Applicants must submit transcripts, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a $70 application fee.

IU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.