Special education looks at strategies and techniques that help students with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders to progress academically. A master’s degree in this subject can give you the opportunity to concentrate on specific ages, including older students up to 21 years of age. You might also pursue this program to advance research in the field.
This program may interest you if you want to enhance your skills to plan more effective lessons for students with learning disabilities and create a safer environment in the classroom. It could also allow you to learn and contribute to innovative methods that improve education initiatives for young people. A growth of 3% of employment of special education teachers is projected between 2019 and 2029, and highly-skilled individuals with a master’s degree are typically in demand.
Requirements for master’s degrees in special education usually involve:
- academic transcripts from a undergraduate degree
- minimum GPA of 3.0, or GRE scores
- resume, possibly showing experience working in education
- 2 to 3 letters of recommendation
- personal statement
The best master’s degree programs often allow you to concentrate on a particular area. That could be a certain age group, a type of disability, or based on either practical skills or research and theory. Below you can find essential information, such as program length, cost, and the teaching approach, to help you determine which school is best for you.
School listings
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Boston University
Boston University Boston, MassachusettsRead moreAt the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development at Boston University, you could earn a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in special education. The program specializations allow students to focus on particular grades or areas outside of formal education settings, including:
- General special education
- General special education and social work (dual degree program)
- Special education teaching licensure and social work (dual degree program)
- Special education administration*
- Teacher of students with moderate disabilities (pre-k-grade 8) combined with elementary education (grades 1-6)
- Teacher of students with moderate disabilities (pre-k-8)
- Teacher of students with moderate disabilities (grades 5-12)
- Teacher of students with severe disabilities (ages 3-21)
The program is taught in person at the campus in Boston or can be organized through partner schools. The teaching specializations involve a practicum with the relevant age group. Coursework includes special education cognition, learning, and behavior; assessment in special education procedure; and methods in special education.
Program name Master of education in special education Name of school (dept.) Wheelock College of Education and Human Development Accreditation New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) Location Boston, Massachusetts Cost Tuition: $56,854 per year
Finance officeProgram format On-campus or satellite location Program length 2-3 years, 36 to 83 credit hours 
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University of Wisconsin – Madison
University of Wisconsin – Madison Madison, WisconsinRead moreThe Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education is part of the School of Education at UW-Madison. It offers a master of science in special education with 2 possible concentrations:
- Teacher certification
- Research and theory
The program aims to equip students with professional skills to apply for the Wisconsin cross-categorical special education license to work with students aged 6-13 and ages 10-21. Alternatively, the research program advances students’ analytical skills, preparing them for academic positions or roles in community organizations.
Teaching specialists will complete a practicum and a student teaching seminar. Research students will sit a comprehensive exam and produce a project or thesis. Coursework includes research methods in rehabilitation, mental health, special education, and multicultural issues in special education.
Program name Master of science special education Name of school (dept) School of Education Accreditation Yes, Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Location Madison, Wisconsin Cost Tuition in-state: $12,220 per year
Tuition Minnesota resident: $19,052 per year
Tuition out of state: $25,548 per year
Finance officeProgram format On-campus Program length 18 months-2 years, 30-43 credit hours
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Clemson University
Clemson University Clemson, South CarolinaRead moreThrough the College of Education at Clemson, you can earn a Master of Education (M.Ed) in special education. The course sequence is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). The program has an emphasis in multi-tiered systems of support, academics, and behavior, but doesn’t offer field experience. It’s best suited to those already working in a school or formal educational setting, as access to students will be required for projects.
It’s taught online, which makes it flexible enough to fit around your existing schedule. Coursework includes advanced classroom management, applied behavior analysis, and behavior analytic supervision.
Program name Master of education special education Name of school (dept.) College of Education Accreditation Yes, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Location Clemson, South Carolina Cost Online tuition: $545 per credit
Finance officeProgram format Online Program length 2 years, 36 credit hours
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University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MinnesotaRead moreThrough the Department of Educational Psychology at the College of Education and Human Development at UMN, you could earn a Master of Arts (M.A.) in special education. The program is part of the educational psychology degree and has an emphasis in applied behavior analysis. Students have the option to choose a thesis route or complete a research project.
Through electives, the program can be tailored to focus on college teaching, research, or consulting. The program is taught in person at the campus in Minneapolis.
Coursework includes classroom management and behavior analytic problem solving, interventions for behavioral problems in school settings, and educating preschoolers with disabilities – specialized approaches and interventions.Program name Master of arts educational psychology – special education Name of school (dept) College of Education and Human Development Accreditation Yes, Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Location Minneapolis, Minnesota Cost Tuition in-state: $8,790 per semester
Tuition out of state: $13,602 per semester
Finance officeProgram format On-campus Program length 2 years, 32 credit hours
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University of Washington
University of Washington Seattle, WashingtonRead moreThe College of Education at UW offers an M.Ed. in early childhood special education. There are 3 program options:
- Initial teaching certification
- Special education endorsement
- Master’s only
These choices make it possible to gain something from the program, whether you’re not yet qualified or already have the necessary certification and endorsement. It’s also possible to complete a special education program with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis.
The program is taught at the University of Washington campus in Seattle; a version is also available online. Coursework includes autism and other social, communication, and developmental disabilities, ethics in applied behavior analysis, and instructional methods for students with moderate to severe disabilities. As part of the program, students will complete field experiences at early intervention settings, as well as preschool and elementary schools.
Program name Master of education in special education – applied behavior analysis Name of school (dept) College of Education Accreditation Yes, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Location Seattle, Washington Cost Tuition in-state: $6,174 per quarter
Tuition out of state: $11,128 per quarter
Online tuition: $589 per credit
Finance officeProgram format On-campus and online Course length 2 years, 45 credit hours
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Purdue University
Purdue University West Lafayette, IndianaRead moreThe College of Education at Purdue delivers a Master of Science (M.S.) in special education. There are several tracks to choose from:
- Master’s only without a practicum
- Master’s with initial special education licensure
- Master’s with advanced special educational licensure
- Master’s with advanced special educational licensure (intense only)
- Licensure only—mild or mild and intense
This degree is taught online and classes are asynchronous, which means you can fit them around your schedule.
Students pursuing licensure will need to complete a practicum and student teaching seminar. Coursework covers intervention strategies and research, advanced characteristics of children with mild disabilities, and identification, evaluation, and assessment of exceptional individuals
Program name Master of science special education Name of school (dept) College of Education Accreditation Yes, Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Location West Lafayette, Indiana Cost Tuition in-state: $379.05 per credit
Tuition out of state: $700 per credit
Finance officeProgram format Online Program length 20 months, 31-45 credit hours
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Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TexasRead moreAt the College of Education at TCU, you could earn an M.Ed. in special education. The college works with 2 campus laboratory schools providing excellent practical learning opportunities for students. The program is designed for those that have already achieved licensure. There are several options:
- Special education
- Special education accelerated (TCU undergraduates only)
- Special education with educational diagnostician certification
The program is taught in person at the campus in Fort Worth. Coursework involves understanding exceptional children and youth at risk, planning and instruction in academically diverse classrooms, motivating and managing students in the classroom, and technology for diverse learners. It also includes a research component and practicum.
Program name Master of education in special education Name of school (dept) College of Education Accreditation Yes, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Location Fort Worth, Texas Cost Tuition: $1,790 per credit hour
Finance officeProgram format On-campus Program length 2 years, 36 credit hours
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Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TennesseeRead moreAt Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, you could earn an M.Ed. in special education. There are several program concentrations available:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Early childhood
- High incidence
- Low incidence – severe disabilities
- Low incidence – visual disabilities
The program includes fieldwork with a range of students and research projects. It’s taught in person at the Peabody College campus in Nashville. Each program concentration will involve a comprehensive exam and a project or thesis. Coursework modules comprise management procedures for academic and social behavior, trends and issues for students with behavior disorders, and advanced issues in family intervention.
Program name Master of education special education Name of school (dept) Peabody College Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Location Nashville, Tennessee Cost Tuition: $2,096 per credit
Finance officeTeaching approach On-campus Course length 2 years, 30-60 credit hours
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University of Kansas
University of Kansas Lawrence, KansasRead moreThe School of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Kansas delivers a number of master’s degree programs in special education. Students can choose from:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Early childhood unified
- High incidence disabilities
- Low incidence disabilities
- Secondary special education and transition
Within each program concentration, you can choose licensure and endorsement or a non-teacher track.
The program includes a practicum, an advanced practicum, and culminates in either a master’s project or a thesis. Coursework covers inclusive strategies and interventions for preschoolers, assessment for transition planning, and family and interprofessional collaboration in special education. Some concentrations are available online while others are taught at the campus in Lawrence.
Program name Master of Science in education – special education Name of school (dept) School of Education and Human Sciences Accreditation Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Location Lawrence, Kansas Cost Tuition in-state: $10,188 per year
Tuition out of state: $24,430 per year
Finance officeTeaching approach On-campus and online Course length 2 years, 30-36 credit hours
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Florida State University
Florida State University Tallahassee, FloridaRead moreThrough the College of Education at FSU, you could earn a combined bachelor of science (B.S.) and M.S. degree in special education. It aims to equip you with the skills to be eligible for a Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate in Exceptional Student Education (K-12) with endorsements in autism spectrum disorders, reading, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
The program includes field experiences and student teaching. Students need an associate of arts, or to have completed the general education curriculum at FSU before enrolling on this program. Coursework covers assessment and methods in early childhood special education, assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, and methods for teaching students with low incidence disabilities. The program is taught in person at the campus in Tallahassee.
Program name Bachelor of science and master of science special education Name of school (dept) College of Education Accreditation Yes, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Location Tallahassee, Florida Cost Tuition in-state (undergraduate and graduate): $215.55/479.32 per credit
Tuition out of state (undergraduate and graduate): $721.10/1110.72 per credit
Finance officeTeaching approach On-campus Course length 3 years, 145 credit hours
Financial support
Before you choose your master’s program, you’ll need to consider how you’ll meet the tuition, fees, and other study costs. You may want to look into federal aid or getting a loan. You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine your eligibility.
Alternatively, your university or college might provide aid and financial assistance in the form of scholarships or graduate assistantships.
Another option to consider is funding in the form of external scholarships, grants, and awards. For example, the TEACH Grant, is a support-for-service program that covers the cost of tuition. Similarly, students can apply for research funding or the special education teacher grant from SPEDxchange. It awards $1,000 annually to graduate students pursuing a degree in special education.
Careers
A master’s degree in special education can help you gain your license, certification, or endorsement in your state. Many graduates are able to secure higher salaries, specialized teaching positions, or continue to study and research the subject. Holders of this degree could consider several potential roles, including:
