When looking to earn a master’s degree in special education online, students often find it difficult to determine the costs and requirements to effectively apply for this program.
Earning an online master’s degree in special education, however, could lead to a rewarding teaching career.
This program will benefit passionate educators who value all students and want to help them achieve their academic potential because you will learn from the comfort of your home.
So, in this article, we discuss everything you need to know about getting a master’s degree in special education online, its costs, and requirements. Continue reading!
What Is a Master’s Degree In Special Education?
A Masters’s degree in Special Education is meant for individuals with prior degrees who wish to work with students with special needs.
The degree gives instruction on the description and nature of disabilities in children of different ages and the psychological factors that influence these students.
Furthermore, special education master’s degree programs are intended to assist teachers focus their training on skills linked to treating students with unique needs.
Courses usually cover topics like explaining and detailing various disabilities, child development, educational tactics, education policies, and instructional design.
Additionally, it offers specialization in a particular area of special education, such as deaf and blind education, early childhood education, or critical disability strategies.
Thus, this degree is for willing educators.
Why You Need a Masters In Education?
A master’s degree will further develop your knowledge, and improve your teaching skills, or enable you to specialize in a particular discipline or subject area.
Continuing your studies could also enhance your career prospects, adding to your range of professional skills, and presenting opportunities for progression.
More so, getting a Masters degree gives you an edge above others as you have a wider knowledge as compared to others.
How Long Does it Take To Get a Master’s In Special Education?
Basically, a Master in Education program will take about 2 years to complete as a full-time student. However, for part-time students, it can take about 3 to 4 years.
Some schools offer accelerated programs that you can complete in as little as 12 to 18 months. These accelerated programs are run intensely and can be hard for employed students to keep up with.
Additionally, students can obtain a master’s in special education in about two years. However, students who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field may need to fulfill prerequisite coursework, which can extend the time to completion.
Conversely, online programs may offer year-round coursework or accelerated choices, which can reduce time to completion.
How Much Does an Online Master’s Degree Cost?
An online master’s degree program can be less expensive. But to do a cost comparison, you should do proper research into various institutions’ cost of the program.
This makes this article very handy as we have provided a list of top schools that offer masters in special education programs with their tuitions and accreditation.
So, as you continue reading you will know the exact cost of a master’s in special education in your school of choice.
What Can I Expect in a Master’s in Special Education Program?
Master’s in special education programs basically total at least 30 credits, which students complete in 1 to 2 years depending on course structure and previous experience.
Required classes usually include distinguished instruction, intervention for language and learning disabilities, and creating inclusive classrooms.
Degree candidates complete practicals and engage difficult topics through concentrations like applied behavior analysis and early childhood education.
About Studying Special Education Online
Online master’s in special education programs offer convenience through asynchronous coursework and many start dates.
Seeking a special education master’s online can also lead to substantial savings, as students do not incur extra on-campus costs like rent or parking fees. Some schools also permit distance learners to pay in-state tuition rates.
Additionally, several distance learners can seek an online master’s in special education while still working full time.
What Are The Careers After Online Masters in Special Education? | Salary And Careers
Graduates of master’s in special education online programs use their degrees to create change, support the needs of students, and assure the special education learning community has the resources required to succeed.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, online master’s in special education alumni take up positions as educational diagnosticians, specialists, testers, and rehabilitation counselors.
Here are some careers you can take up after an online Masters’s in Special education.
#1. Special Education Teacher
According to BLS, educators working in special education aid children with cognitive, emotional, learning, mental, and physical disabilities to attain their academic potential in traditional school subjects and essential skills.
Those with an online special education master’s degree may supervise other teachers or serve as departmental chairs.
- Median Annual Salary: $58,980
- Projected Growth Rate: 8%
#2. Instructional Coordinator
Instructional Coordinators centered on special education students’ work to assure instruction delivery processes and curricula reflect the unique requirements of exceptional learners.
They also work with other teachers and administrators to guarantee their action plans carry out on a day-to-day basis and monitor for any required changes.
Instructional coordinators must possess at least a master’s degree.
- Median Annual Salary: $63,750
- Projected Growth Rate: 11%
#3. Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals
You can serve as the final decision-makers, principals control curricula, staffing, activities, and build conducive learning environments.
Depending on the school, they may also set class schedules, assess teachers, meet with parents, and discipline students. Principal positions need a master’s degree.
- Median Annual Salary: $94,390
- Projected Growth Rate: 8%
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Online M.Ed. in Special Education Admission Requirements
Master’s in special education programs commonly assess candidates on three main criteria: academic preparation, relevant career experience, and individual characteristics that align with the institutional purpose.
To these ends, candidates submit materials like a letter of intent, GRE scores, a resume/CV, and professional recommendations.
- Bachelor’s Degree: To gain admission to a master’s in special education program, students must first get a bachelor’s degree, which does not regularly have to be in special education.
- Professional Experience: Most special education master’s programs require students to possess a current teaching license, and some programs ask for a number of years of experience.
- Minimum GPA: Minimum GPA requirements are basically between 2.5 and 3.0 and can sometimes be offset by test scores, professional experience, and personal statements.
Application – Online students can conveniently submit their applications online, and several schools waive fees for early admissions candidates. Some institutions combine financial assistance into this process, permitting students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) simultaneously.
Letter of Intent – The letter of intent allows applicants to convey their academic readiness and career goals.
Letters of Recommendation – Graduate schools typically request 2-3 recommendation letters from people who can endorse the student’s academic skills and professional achievements.
Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae – Degree applicants display their academic credentials and work experience through resumes. Some programs especially request a CV to evaluate the candidate’s success with scholarly research and publication.
Test Scores – Online colleges increasingly waive GRE scores. Students from non-English speaking countries submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to show language proficiency.
Test of English as a foreign language – International students can normally expect to complete the TOFEL exam, which assesses their mastery of the English language and their capacity to study at a college level.
Schools That Offer Online Master’s in Special Education Program
Special education programs may also offer endorsements, which provide extra knowledge about niche areas in the area. Endorsements can also provide graduates with a contentious advantage in the job market.
While requirements differ by state, earning an upper-level degree in education typically qualifies graduates for a master teaching license and may lead to increased salaries. Professionals interested in academic or administrative roles may consider getting their Ph.D. However, schools normally do not need a doctorate.
The following schools have the best accredited online master’s degree programs in special education. To feature in this ranking, the schools had to meet the following criteria:
#1. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California has many options for those pursuing an online masters in special education. Students can get a master of arts in teaching, a master’s in education in advanced instruction, and an education specialist credential in mild/moderate disabilities.
USC uses a research-based program to combine theory and in-classroom experience in order to give future educators a well-rounded education and equip them for teaching special requirements students.
The University of Southern California’s approximate cost of program completion is about $48,994. In addition, USC has an extra certification opportunity for those interested in teaching special education or gifted students. The tuition for these opportunities is between $4,617 and $25,916.
U.S. News & World Report has placed USC’s Rossier School of Education 17th in the nation amongst graduate schools of education. The school specializes in training educators to work with high-needs students in city environments.
#2. Florida State University
Established in 1851, Florida State University is yet another high-quality public university developing into the online education market. The faculty at FSU includes leading figures in each major field and many world-class research centers.
The tuition fee is approximately $11,506 for residents and $26,716 for non-residents for the Online Masters in Special Education.
Furthermore, Florida State University is rated in the top 100 of U.S. News and World Report’s Top National Universities, and its online graduate programs in education are in the list of the top 100 in all four categories of the U.S evaluation.
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#3. St. Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s University has a strong, 150-year academic history steeped in the Jesuit tradition. The university has been dedicated to educating the whole person throughout its history, not just the mind, and so students benefit from a perspective committed to advancing tolerance, compassion, and social justice.
Tuition at SJU for graduate education programs is about $578.00 per credit.
St. Joseph’s University is rated #8 overall in the northern region by U.S. News and World Report’s Top Regional Universities North list.
Also, the online graduate education programs rank among the top 100 of all categories in U.S. News and World Report’s Online Honor Roll as well.
#4. Drexel University
Drexel University has a long-standing tradition of academic distinction, providing its students with high-quality professional programs.
The M.S. in Special Education program is dedicated to training students on how to better serve the diverse wants of those students that need special attention.
Graduate tuition rates differ depending on class but the average tuition of a class in the graduate program is about $3,150.00
Furthermore, Drexel University has been offering online classes since 1996, longer than several of the tier 1 universities.
Also, Drexel boasts of being on the cutting edge of the education field and since it was the first to ask all students to have access to a personal computer, offering online courses was a natural progression for a university dedicated to embracing technological innovation.
Drexel’s online graduate programs rank #5 in Student Services and Technology by U.S. News and World Report, another reflection of the university’s affinity for technology.
#5. University of North Carolina
The nation’s earliest public university, UNC is the only public university to graduate students in the 18th century.
UNC has been one of the nation’s top universities since its beginning and it brings that commitment to excellence with it into the online education marketplace.
However, In-state tuition is est. $292.00 per credit and out-of-state tuition is est. $322.00 per credit for the Online Masters in Special Education.
Furthermore, UNC ranks 30th among national universities by U.S. News and World Report, and its education school, in particular, ranks #34. Also, UNC offers one of the few Online Masters in Special Education programs that leads to certification in its state.
#6. Lewis University
Founded in 1932 through the Chicago Archdiocese. Lewis University was founded with a focus on aviation technology, the university now offers a full line of degree opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Lewis University offers a master’s in early childhood education with special education and English as a second language endorsement. This unique program trains educators to work with a variety of special requirements.
Lewis University’s tuition is around $595 per credit hour for a master’s degree in the school of education.
Moreso, The Princeton Review and the U.S. News & World Report have ranked Lewis University as one of the best colleges in the region for the past eight years.
It is also becoming a common educational option as Lewis broke its enrollment record in 2005 with 5,000 total students.
#7. Ball State University
Online Masters in Special Education Ball State University, a public university in the state of Indiana boasts of adopting cutting-edge technology and techniques, which is why the university has moved into the online education market.
BSU is committed to bringing its quality, innovative method to students. This is regardless of geographic restrictions that may have hindered them from attending otherwise.
Tuition for an Online Masters in Special Education at Ball State is about $299.00 per credit for residents and $506.00 per credit for non-residents.
Furthermore, Ball State University’s online graduate education programs rank #17 in Student Services and Technology. The university boasts of its intense interdisciplinary strategy for any and all subjects.
This, hence, leaves students with a well-rounded education as well as the specialization they require for their field.
#8. West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a large public university with a well-established education program. WVU has been offering online programs for a long time and is always developing its programs.
Field and practicum experiences for the class are provided with suitable public schools in the student’s home community.
West Virginia University tuition is around $288.00 per credit for students qualified for resident tuition and $966.00 per credit for students not qualified for resident tuition.
The online programs at WVU use SOLE (Secure OnLine Environment). Sole is a powerful online education tool and process that makes the online learning experience streamlined and natural.
WVU applies in-state tuition rates to its Online Masters in Special Education program for students in regions covered by SREC. WVU rank as a tier 1 university also in the top 100 public universities by U.S. News and World Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates with a master’s in special education are equipped for rewarding careers assisting students with diverse needs. Professionals can work alongside general education teachers to help students in the classroom or become full-time special education classroom teachers. An advanced degree and experience also create opportunities for leadership positions.
BLS data indicates that special educators earn an average salary of about $59,780. However, professionals who hold a master’s degree generally receive higher wages than professionals who only hold a bachelor’s degree. Professionals should also consider geographic location as they review average salaries. Private schools may also offer higher or lower pay.
Students can earn a master’s in special education in approximately two years. However, students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field may need to complete prerequisite coursework, which can lengthen the time to completion. Conversely, online programs may offer year-round coursework or accelerated options, which can shorten time to completion.
Typically, professionals who hold a master’s in special education write their title as M.Ed., special education.
Professionals already working in the field may earn a master’s in special education to gain additional skills, improve salary prospects, or obtain more advanced and specialized roles.
Conclusion
Getting an online master’s degree in special education can lead to a rewarding teaching career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for special education teachers to grow by 8% by 2024.
Learning and behavioral disabilities in children are being classified at an increasingly early age, increasing the need for special education programs.
So, if you want a satisfying career that leads your compassion and teaching skills toward a significant cause, consider pursuing an online special education degree.
Reference
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