There were no special education instructors in the U.S. before 1975. This fairly new profession has brought education to students with mental, physical, and emotional disabilities, helping them achieve their potential and excel in the classroom.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states there are nearly half a million special education teachers working in U.S. classrooms. The BLS expects the profession to grow about 3% between 2019 and 2029, which is on par with the average for all professions. The median salary for a special ed teacher is currently $61,420 a year — a number that may increase for those with a master's degree in special ed.
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The 25 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Special Education of 2021
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Degree Overview
Schools design master's degrees in special education for students with undergraduate degrees in education or similar fields. You will learn about disabilities in children of all ages, from preschool to post-secondary, and the ways you can help these students reach their academic potential.
Common coursework in a master's program in special ed includes classes on:
Behavioral disorders
Psychology
Language development
Trends in special education leadership
You may be able to focus on a particular disorder, such as autism, or take classes that teach you how to write curriculum or become an administrator.
Degree Requirements
You will need a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education to apply to a special education master's program online. Programs may also require provisional certification in an educational content area. Many programs look for a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, as well as the GRE or Praxis tests.
Other standard application requirements for an online special education master's degree include recommendation letters, an essay that answers the institution's questions, and an interview to ask and answer questions.
Courses in an Online Master's in Special Education Degree
When researching programs, prospective students should read through course descriptions to ensure the content aligns with their specialized teaching career goals. For example, individuals who want to work with high school students with disabilities should look for a program that covers education methods specific to this age group. While courses vary by program, the following list outlines five common special education classes.
Application of Technology in Special Education Most Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) include a technology component. In this class, future teachers learn how to use technology to break down learning barriers for students. For example, students who struggle to process visual information can benefit from computer audio that reads assignment instructions to them.
Applied Behavior Analysis In an applied behavior analysis course, participants learn how to use the principles of motivation to encourage positive actions in students. This course focuses on how to effectively help learners with behavioral disabilities improve their social interactions. Class participants read through case studies and discuss what factors contribute to helping students overcome behavioral challenges.
Cognitive and Behavioral Teaching Approaches This course covers common research-based cognitive and behavioral teaching approaches that special educators use in the classroom. Class participants learn how to empower students to control their own behavior. The course discusses methods other than external reinforcements that teachers can use to help students with disabilities stay on task.
Practicum Most special education master's degrees include a practicum component that gives students hands-on, supervised experience working with learners with disabilities. Some programs require multiple practicums with various age groups.
Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Since autism is a relatively common disorder, many special education programs include a class devoted to this topic. In this course, students discover how to enhance learning and social interactions in children with autism spectrum disorders. While this class does not teach students how to diagnose this disorder, it teaches them signs of the disorder so they can make professional recommendations for testing.
Career Path for Master's in Special Education Degree
For many graduates from an affordable master's program in special education, the classroom is their logical destination. They may be employed in pre-K, primary, or secondary level classrooms — both in mainstreamed classes as well as those which focus solely on students with special needs.
Some graduates of master's of special education online programs may enter public service, working at the state, regional, or even federal level to create policy that benefits students with special needs. Others may work as educational administrators at the school or district level, working with students in a broad range of settings to ensure the best possible academic experience.
Still, others may become instructional coordinators, overseeing school curriculum and teaching standards for students with special needs. This field is growing faster than average, with the BLS projecting 6% growth over the next decade.
Job Outlook & Salary
Special education professionals enjoy strong job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for special educators to grow 3% between 2019 and 2029. In 2020, these professionals earned a median annual salary of $61,420. However, related occupations that graduates with a master's in special education can pursue feature higher growth rates. For example, the BLS projects the need for instructional coordinators to grow 6% between 2019 and 2029. In 2020, these professionals earned a median annual salary of $66,970.
Graduates with an online master's in special education can also potentially work as medical scientists, focusing on the needs of youth with special needs, and making a median annual salary of $91,510 in 2020. They may also work at the college or university level as postsecondary teachers, who earned an annual median salary of $80,790 in 2020. It is increasingly common for colleges and universities to have an office dedicated to the needs of students with disabilities, and this is a common destination for those with a master's in special education.
Scholarships for Special Education Students
Students can help offset the costs of their education with financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships. Many organizations offer scholarships reserved specifically for education students, several of which we outline below.
Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship
Students pursuing an education-related bachelor's or master's degree can apply. Applicants must demonstrate their knowledge of voluntary unionism through a 500-word essay.
Amount: $1,000Deadline: February 10
Joseph T. Weingold Scholarship
Students in New York currently completing a degree program that leads to special education certification may apply. The Arc New York Chapter also reserves scholarship funds for current employees who want to further their studies in this field.
Amount: $3,000 Deadline: January 11
TEACH Grant
The U.S. Department of Education provides this grant to prospective teachers who plan to work in a high-need field in a low-income area. Recipients must take specific classes during their studies and commit to the award's career requirements. Otherwise, this grant converts to a loan.
Amount: $4,000 Deadline:October 31
Related Degrees
Degrees similar to special education include the following:
A psychology degree will allow you to work with students in a school setting, as a school counselor or psychologist, or in medical settings. You may also open a private practice that focuses on treating children with mental disabilities.
Studying law would allow you to carve out a professional niche as a special education advocate or consultant. You might take the bar exam in your state to practice law, or you could work in government, helping to shape policy for special education needs.
A degree in writing at either the graduate or undergraduate level would be helpful if you wish to work on curricular materials, such as textbooks and lesson plans, for special education students. You might also write articles or books on children with special ed needs on a freelance basis.
