Online Masters Degree in Special Education Programs

K-12 Special Education Degrees by Distance Learning

Online masters degree in special education prepares you for a teaching position in special education by providing you with the skills to identify special needs students, and the techniques and methodologies to effectively work with them.

Many states require special education certification in order to work with special needs students, and a master in special education online degree is a great way to get the education for the certification process.

Specializations for a master online special education degree include a master degree in special education program with early childhood or K-12 education.

Colleges offering Masters Online Special Education Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

Online Masters Degree in Special Education Programs

Masters degree in Education - Special Education

Grand Canyon University

Master Online Special Education Degree Programs

Masters in Special Education: Cross-Categorical (IR)
Masters in Special Education: Cross-Categorical (Non-IR)
Masters in Special Education: Certified Special Educators (Non-IR)

Capella University

Master Online Special Education Degree

Master of Education - Special Education Teaching

Liberty University

Masters Degree in Special Education Online Programs

Master's in Special Education
M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning - Special Education
M.Ed. Program Specialist - Gifted Specialist

Ashford University

Distance Education Degrees - Master in Special Education Program

Master of Education - Special Education (non-licensure)

Walden University

Online Masters Special Education Degree Program

M.S. in Education - Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K-12)

Western Governor's University

Online Special Education Degree Program

M.S. in Special Education

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Candidates for a Masters Degree in Special Education

Students with learning disabilities or physical handicaps can be challenging to manage in a classroom setting. Educators who are interested in earning a masters online special education degree must be prepared for the challenges of working with these groups. You must be patient and compassionate, and be prepared to learn specialized techniques for identifying and interacting with special education students.

Masters Degree in Special Education Program for Early Childhood Teachers

Online special education degree programs focusing on early childhood educators are designed to give pre-school and early child care providers the skills to identify and work with special needs students. Emphasis is placed on identifying special needs, and early intervention techniques to help young children manage their disabilities.

This is an extremely helpful skill set for educators who work in pre schools, as well as child care providers who want to work one-on-one with special education students, such as in a private childcare nanny or au pair capacity. You'll learn activities and daily routines designed to help identify children who have special needs, and to engage these young children in ways that will help manage their disabilities.

Masters Degree in Special Education for K-12 Educators

The online special education masters degree for grades K through 12 includes material to help you identify special needs students, but focuses more on effective teaching techniques and managing these students in a variety of settings. The focuses of these programs include behavior management, social skills training, language acquisition and managing these students in public and private, urban and suburban settings.

The masters degree in special education for K-12 educators also includes legal and ethical aspects associated with students with disabilities. Education systems often have very specific requirements or legal responsibilities to special needs students, and k-12 educators must understand and incorporate these requirements into their every-day curriculum and student management techniques.

Licensure Requirements in Special Education

Every state has its own educational licensure requirements, but most states require a special education-specific license for working with special education students. Some states have even more specific licensure requirements, including specifying the grade level you can work with or the types of disabilities you're capable of handling. State licensing for students who hold a masters degree in special education may also be based on medical condition, such as orthopedic impairment, hearing impairment or visual impairment. To work with students in these populations, you must pass state requirements and earn additional certification for these groups, or earn a special education license with an endorsement in these categories.

Special Education Careers

Special education instructors can choose from a variety of work environments. Both public and private schools employ special education teachers, and the majority of people who earn a campus or masters degree online in special education go on to teach in either early childhood settings, or K-12 settings. Some graduates go on to research and academic careers, creating the techniques used to identify and work with special needs students.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 survey, early childhood and elementary school special education instructors earned a median income of $50,020. Middle school instructors earned $50,810 and secondary school special education teachers earned $51,340. Special education professionals in private school settings earned more than $78,200.