Best Online Special Education Degrees of 2024
How to Prepare for a Career Working with Students with Special Needs
Working with children who have special needs is a noble calling. Teachers who pursue a career in special education enrich the lives of students with disabilities as well as provide valuable information to parents about their child’s progress. Special education careers require specific training and experience that can be obtained through degree programs offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This page provides information about these degree programs, including what students can expect to learn, the jobs they can pursue after earning their degree, and the qualities prospective students should look for in a program.
Best Special Education Degree Programs
Although there are many special education degree programs, some are better than others. To help students find the best schools, we have ranked programs based on factors such as student-teacher ratio, tuition and student graduation rate. Browse our listing below of the top special education degree programs.
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,658
- Out-of-state$13,658
- In-State$18,912
- Out-of-state$33,600
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled17,784
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Canisius College
- Buffalo, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,940
- Out-of-state$27,940
- In-State$14,760
- Out-of-state$14,760
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled3,102
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Daemen College
- Amherst, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,830
- Out-of-state$28,830
- In-State$23,928
- Out-of-state$23,928
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled2,603
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Niagara University
- Niagara University, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,000
- Out-of-state$33,000
- In-State$14,525
- Out-of-state$14,525
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled3,723
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,616
- Out-of-state$50,616
- In-State$38,880
- Out-of-state$38,880
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled22,850
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
University of Mary
- Bismarck, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$17,350
- Out-of-state$17,350
- In-State$16,740
- Out-of-state$16,740
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled3,779
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,920
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$8,791
- Out-of-state$9,768
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled38,138
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Fresno Pacific University
- Fresno, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,458
- Out-of-state$32,458
- In-State$14,940
- Out-of-state$14,940
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled4,300
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
- Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,950
- Out-of-state$29,950
- In-State$12,780
- Out-of-state$12,780
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled1,094
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Ball State University
- Muncie, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,358
- Out-of-state$26,138
- In-State$8,850
- Out-of-state$21,954
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled22,443
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY College at Plattsburgh
- Plattsburgh, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$16,980
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled5,258
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Buffalo State
- Buffalo, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$16,980
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled8,658
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Mercyhurst University
- Erie, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,500
- Out-of-state$37,500
- In-State$15,570
- Out-of-state$15,570
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled2,704
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
- Marion, IN
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$27,296
- Out-of-state$27,296
- In-State$13,440
- Out-of-state$13,440
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled3,165
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
Lesley University
- Cambridge, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,500
- Out-of-state$28,500
- In-State$18,540
- Out-of-state$18,540
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled4,510
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Pace University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$44,714
- Out-of-state$44,714
- In-State$31,320
- Out-of-state$31,320
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled13,395
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Florida-Main Campus
- Tampa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,559
- Out-of-state$15,473
- In-State$8,350
- Out-of-state$19,048
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate48%
- Students Enrolled44,246
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,094
- Out-of-state$15,118
- In-State$16,360
- Out-of-state$30,432
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled21,470
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment28%
- AccreditationYes
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,800
- Out-of-state$50,800
- In-State$48,624
- Out-of-state$48,624
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate9%
- Students Enrolled13,131
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment8%
- AccreditationYes
St. John's University-New York
- Queens, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,378
- Out-of-state$41,378
- In-State$28,569
- Out-of-state$28,569
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled21,718
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Similar Degree Programs in Education
Education is a diverse field, so those who are interested in the profession can use their degrees to pursue several career paths. The following table allows users to browse our pages on some of the different degrees and career paths in the education field.
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Special Education
My advice is to enroll in a special education program if you hold the conviction that all students can learn, that all students deserve a chance to be included, and that all people have something special to contribute to our world.
Lindy Crawford, PhD
A Closer Look: Special Education Degrees by Level
Students who are interested in special education careers can earn degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Each degree level provides more advanced knowledge and skills, and gives students opportunities to build their expertise in a specific area. As professionals advance in their careers, they can earn higher-level degrees designed to build on their knowledge and professional experience.
Special Education Associate Degrees
- Type of Schools: Community colleges, online colleges
- Time to Complete: Two years, full-time
- Career Opportunities: Teacher’s aide, entry-level positions & internships
Associate degree programs are designed to give students the fundamental knowledge they need to either pursue entry-level positions or move on to earn higher level degrees. Prerequisites generally include earning a high school diploma or its equivalent.
The coursework in an associate’s degree program is designed to familiarize students with the special education field. The following are examples of associate-level classes.
This introductory course focuses on the theory and practice of teaching special education courses. It also covers the laws associated with the profession as well as different types of learning disabilities.
Introduction to Special Education
Students explore how children develop at different stages and the social and cultural factors that influence the child development process.Foundations of Child Development
Students learn assessment methods and how educators evaluate students based on observations of their behavior.Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education
Students in this course learn about the psychological concepts that apply to learning and teaching methodologies.Educational Psychology
Special Education Bachelor’s Degrees
- Type of Schools: Four-year colleges and universities, online colleges
- Time to Complete: Four years, full-time
- Career Opportunities: Special education teacher, special education consultant, behavioral specialist, educational diagnostician, behavioral specialist
Special education bachelor’s degree programs prepare students to become licensed teachers in their state and train them to teach students of all grades. Although each school has its own requirements for admission, applicants must come in with at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Students learn about such topics as how to collaborate with other educators to provide education to special needs students, how to create a grade-appropriate curriculum, and how to use critical thinking skills to solve problems in the classroom. Some of these knowledge areas are put to use in an extended student teaching assignment, a standard requirement for graduation.
Special education bachelor’s degree programs offer a robust curriculum that prepares students for the classroom. The courses below can typically be found in these programs.
Students in this course learn how to conduct assessments on young children and create individualized action plans to help them with their education.Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs
This course explores how teachers instill reading, writing and listening skills in young children.Early Literacy
This course looks at how special education instructional principles are applied to teaching math to students with disabilities.Mathematics for Students with Disabilities
Students in this class learn about the laws that govern special education teachers in public and private schools.Legal Aspects of Special Education
Special Education Master’s Degrees (MS, MEd)
- Type of Schools: Four-year universities and colleges, online colleges
- Time to Complete: Two to three years, full-time
- Career Opportunities: Special education teacher, special education consultant, education administrator, early intervention specialist, educational diagnostician
Those who are interested in enrolling in special education master’s programs are generally required to earn a minimum 2.5 GPA in their undergraduate program and take the GMAT or GRE tests. These degrees are designed for educators who want to take their careers to the next level and pursue leadership roles in the field. Students who enroll in master’s degrees learn advanced instructional and assessment skills as well as conduct special education research.
Students on the master’s level are able to take specialized courses that focus on areas such as consultation, educational leadership and research. The following is a sample of the classes that are usually found in these programs.
This course covers how to conduct educational research, from developing a hypothesis to discussing findings.Introduction to Educational Research
Students learn how to manage a classroom with students who have emotional and behavioral disorders. Course topics include models for disciplining students, assessment techniques and instructional planning.Students with Emotional/Social and Behavioral Disorders
Because it covers the different ways teachers intervene on behalf of students with learning disabilities, this course may include subjects such as self-monitoring strategies, social problem solving and transitional instruction.Intervention Strategies
Students explore the theories and best practices for creating an inclusive classroom environment for special needs students. Specific topics include integrated learning experiences, needs-based formative assessments, and curriculum adaptations and resources for special needs students.Inclusive Classroom Practices
Special Education Doctorate Degrees (PhD, EdD)
- Type of Schools: Four-year colleges and universities, online colleges
- Time to Complete: Four to five years
- Career Opportunities: Professor of special education, state or federal grant coordinator, coordinator of special education, director of special education, disabilities and mental health services manager
In addition to preparing students for leadership positions in the special education field, doctoral degrees also train those who want to become college professors, consultants or education researchers. These programs focus on ethical leadership, research methods, administration principles and college-level teaching strategies. Through their thesis or fieldwork, students in doctoral programs can concentrate on a specific area of the field, such as severe disabilities, early intervention, students with visual impairments, or low-incidence disabilities.
Coursework in special education doctoral programs, such as the classes described below, is designed to give students a deep understanding of a specific topic in the field.
Provides an understanding of the challenges associated with special education leadership and how administrators can address them. In addition, students learn the role education leaders play in special education.Leadership in Special Education Administration
In this course, the latest research on special education practice and policy is looked into, as well as how this type of research is conducted.Current Issues in Special Education
Students in the course learn how to identify funding, gather required information and construct each component of a grant.Grant Writing
Students explore the ethical concerns educators face and how to make decisions that address the needs of special education teachers and students alike.Ethics in Special Education
Choosing the Right Degree Program: Five Things to Consider
After narrowing down their degree options, students should make sure that their programs of choice meet the following criteria:
- 1
Accreditation
Accreditation helps to ensure students are receiving a quality education from the school they enroll in. To get the most relevant training, students should attend a special education program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
- 2
Options for Specialization
The special education field is made up of several components, so students may choose to focus on a specific area, such as autism, early childhood education or deaf education. As a result, students should think about their goals and interests, and find a program that allows them to concentrate on the topic they want to gain expertise in.
- 3
Observation Opportunities
While the concepts students learn in the classroom provide a foundation for their education, it’s also important for them to see these concepts at play in a real-world classroom. Programs that incorporate regular observations of special education classrooms provide students with a deeper understanding of how the theories they learn are applied by educators.
- 4
Supervised Teaching Opportunities
When students get the opportunity to teach classes of their own, it takes their learning to the next level and helps them develop the skills they will need during their career. Degree programs that provide diverse student teaching opportunities prepare educators for the rigors of the special education field.
- 5
Community Partnerships
Schools that have community partnerships can help students succeed in their programs as well as their careers. Prospective special education teachers can benefit from programs that are aligned with school districts, state education departments and nonprofit organizations because such programs open up opportunities for internships and employment.
Advice from a Special Education Professor
Q. What can students expect to learn in a special education degree program?
Special education degree programs vary across universities. Decisions about curricula are tied closely to requirements of state education associations that accredit special education degree programs and award teaching licenses. However, high-quality educational programs designed to prepare educators for teaching in the field of special education rely heavily on sharing research-based practices shown to be effective for teaching students who learn differently.
Q. How do special education programs differ from other types of education programs?
High-quality special education programs and high-quality general education programs share many of the same components. However, research in the field of special education makes clear that special attention be given to these teaching behaviors in a special education degree program:
- Using data to inform instruction
- Designing targeted instruction to meet the various needs presented by students with disabilities
- Employing explicit instruction, including, but not limited to, extensive modeling, opportunities for practice, and positive feedback
- Implementing classroom management practices that are positive and proactive
- Understanding federal special education law that mandates a free and appropriate education be provided to students in the least restrictive environment
- Familiarizing oneself about the role of caregivers and the effect that a child with a disability has on his or her family
- Embracing and using contextually and culturally responsive teaching methods that acknowledge a diverse student body
- Believing that all students can learn and that all students should be provided opportunities to reach their full potential
Q. What makes special education a rewarding career path?
Teachers of students with disabilities are rewarded daily. Special education teachers understand the value of small gains — academic, social or emotional — and are eager to celebrate these small successes with their students. Because special education teachers have learned the importance of focusing on students’ strengths as opposed to their weaknesses, they design programs that enrich student learning. Teachers’ use of evidence-based practices ensures that all students learn, and teachers’ use of sensitive measures enables them to capture even the smallest increments of learning.
Potential Career Paths and Concentrations in Special Education
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the education and training field is expected to grow by eight percent between 2014 and 2024, which amounts to nearly 700,000 additional jobs. The special education field alone — from preschool to high school — is projected to see 28,000 new jobs during that span, which amounts to a six percent increase.
Browse Career Profiles: Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers work with students who have disabilities. These disabilities could be physical or sensory, such as blindness, but they could also be mental, emotional or learning disabilities, including conditions such as autism and depression. These educators assess the needs of students in order to create appropriate teaching plans, assign activities based on students’ abilities, and help students adjust when they advance from one grade to the next.
- Job Growth (2014-2024) 6%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2015) $56,800
- Typical Education Bachelor’s degree and state license for public school teachers
Compare the national median salaries for special education teachers at various grade levels:
| Preschool | Kindergarten & Elementary School | Middle School | High School |
|---|---|---|---|
| $53,990 | $55,810 | $57,280 | $58,500 |
Recreational Therapists
Recreational therapists are responsible for planning and directing recreational treatments for people with disabilities, illnesses or injuries. Their work entails reviewing medical records, observing patients to assess their needs, monitoring and recording patient progress, and creating therapeutic exercise activities.
- Job Growth (2014-2024) 12%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2015) $45,890
- Typical Education Bachelor’s degree and certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation counselors work with patients with developmental, physical, mental and emotional disabilities and help them become independent. Job duties include providing counseling services, maintaining patient records, and locating and referring patients to the services they need — such as career trainers, wheelchair distributors and doctors.
- Job Growth (2014-2024) 9%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2015) $34,390
- Typical Education Master’s degree and license (depending on the state)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2015)
Key Skills and Certifications for Special Education Teachers
State License
While private schools do not require licensing, every state mandates that special education teachers obtain a license before teaching at a public school.Student Teaching Experience
Professionals are typically required to gain hands-on experience by working as student teachers as part of their degree. Some states require field experience as part of licensure, and some employers will only hire teachers who have this real-world classroom experience.Specialized Training
To increase their employability, some teachers specialize in a specific student age group or grade level, while others specialize in a condition, such as autism or visual impairments.Instructional Skills
For their students to be successful, special education teachers must have the instructional skills to explain classroom concepts in a way students can understand.Critical Thinking Skills
Teachers in special education classrooms must think on their feet, as many of their students are unable to work independently for significant stretches of time. They must analyze what is going on in the classroom and adjust their teaching in response to student needs.Active Learning Skills
The education field is constantly evolving, and new pedagogical theories are regularly being developed. As a result, special education teachers should be driven to seek out new information that will aid them in their own classrooms.Patience
Special needs students learn differently than other students, which can cause frustration for some teachers. It’s important for educators to be patient with these students and understand that they often progress at a slower pace.
What skills and qualities do professionals need to be successful in the special education field?
- Belief in the potential of all students
- Positive regard for all students
- Skills for teaching and assessing academics
- Positive behavior management skills
- Determination
- Advocacy
Lindy Crawford, PhD
Additional Resources
- Advice for New Special Education Teachers
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Council of Administrators of Special Education
- International Association of Special Education
- LD OnLine
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Association of Special Education Teachers
- National Association of State Directors of Special Education
- National Center for Learning Disabilities
- National Center for Special Education Research
