Special Education Online Degree Programs

The task of special education teachers is to provide a support system to physically and mentally disabled children by teaching them essential life skills. The education curriculum they follow is a general one but their teaching technique is developed to accommodate the particular needs of each child.

If a student wants to become a special education teacher, they must complete a special education degree program equivalent to K-12 teacher training. However, special education training differs by focusing on children with special needs. A bachelor’s degree in special education, including classes and coursework on special education, takes four years to complete.

In many cases, a fifth year of student teaching is  also a require aspect of the Special Ed bachelor’s degree program. A student must complete their 2-year master’s degree to become fully qualified as a certified special education teacher. Both these courses are available online and include career training in areas like strategic management of disruptive behavior, inclusion of technology in classroom learning, and developing different curricula to suit individual needs.

These degrees offer the students specialization in topics like emotional problems or learning disabilities. Besides the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, aspiring candidates require special state licenses before starting a career in special education. In order to become licensed, a candidate must complete specialized coursework, supervised classroom practice, and for an exam.

As a special education teacher, a candidate can look forward to enjoying the rapidly increasing prospects of the education industry. Through 2016, an increase of about 15% in the special education instructors’ career can be expected. A spate of teacher retirement in the upcoming years will increase the job opportunity further.

Special education teachers generally get a greater pay than that of general education teachers because of the special efforts they put in for special children. The Department of Labor calculates the average wages for special education teachers to range from $51,230 to $53,020.

Educational institutes offering special education online degree programs

Online Masters Programs

Master of Arts in Special Education
This degree programs is for students who have no previous teaching experience but would like to garner an initial teaching licensure in special education.
>> Request more information from Liberty University

Master of Arts in Education / Special Education
Through coursework of this online degree program, student teaching and educational research, students develop the pedagogical skills and knowledge needed to become effective special education educators.
>> Request more information from University of Phoenix

Master of Education in Special Education
This online graduate degree includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counseling, and applicable laws and policies.
>> Request more information from Abilene Christian University

Master in Education – Mild /Moderate Special Education
The Master in Education – Mild/ Moderate Special Education is designed to enhance the teaching skills of K-12 Mild/Moderate Special Education teachers, or for teachers who have mild/ moderate students within their non-special education classroom.
>> Request more information from Graceland University

M.Ed. in Special Education
This degree programs prepares students who would like to engage in a teaching career in school focusing on special education.
>> Request more information from Liberty University

M.S. in Special Education
This program is appropriate for master’s candidates who already have teaching licensure who can devote 15-20 hours per week to their studies, wish to earn endorsement in special education, and advance their careers in this high-demand field.
>> Request more information from Western Governors University

Master of Science in Education / Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K-12)
This degree program orients educators about the latest breakthroughs in special education.
>> Request more information from Walden University

Online Certificate Programs

Special Education Endorsement Program – Learning Disabilities (K–12)
For licensed teachers who want to transition into a special education classroom or bring these skills to their current teaching area, our practical, accelerated program combines the flexibility of online learning with hands-on field experiences. In 8 months (depending on individual progress), you can enhance your skills and increase your professional opportunities by fulfilling the requirements needed to teach K–12 students with special needs.
>> Request more information from Walden University Online