Online Master's in Special Education Degree Programs
Special education is a field of professional focus within teaching that applies general educational practices with specific theories and strategies designed to foster better learning outcomes among student populations with a range of challenges. Special education teachers have advanced training in the theories, methods, and practices used to design, assess, and implement curricula, classes, and supplemental instruction for elementary and secondary school learners diagnosed with physical, emotional, and/or cognitive disabilities. Teachers who work in this this field may also focus on working with students with specific diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), dyslexia and related language processing deficits, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral disorders. They may also specialize in teaching specific age groups, such as early childhood (pre-kindergarten), elementary school (grade K-6), or secondary school (grades 7-12).
The field of special education is supported by federal legislation. Public schools, for example, are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide special education programs to those in need. The are also private schools that offer special education programs. Master’s programs in special education are graduate programs that prepare licensed teachers and professionals who are new to the field with the knowledge and skills needed to provide special education services. Some Master’s in Special Education programs are specifically designed to prepare students for their initial teaching certification, while others have a curriculum more suitable for teachers who are already certified and want to add a special education endorsement. There are also Master’s in Special Education programs that offer tracks for both student populations.
What is a Master’s in Special Education Degree?
Master in Special Education degree programs prepare teachers and other educational professionals, as well as career changers who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, to work in the field of special education. Earning a master’s degree in special education typically qualifies graduates for teaching, administrative, and/or research positions in the field. Some programs are designed for educators who already hold a teaching license are interested in adding a special education endorsement or certification, while other programs offer training and instruction that can prepare graduates for initial licensure.
After completing a Master’s in Special Education degree program, graduates may work as educators, educational consultants, research professionals, tutors, or administrators, teaching and coordinating programs for students who qualify for special education services. Some special education professionals are generalists who work with students at all levels of K-12 schooling, while others specialize in particular grade levels and/or specific types of special education services. Students interested in specializing in a specific area within the field should explore Master’s in Special Education programs that offer one of the following concentration options:
- Academic Behavioral Strategist
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Curriculum Planning and Instructional Strategies
- Developmental Disabilities (DD/DCD)
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
- Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
- Intervention
- K-12 Special Education
- Learning Disabilities (LD/SLD)
- Special Education Administration
Online Master’s in Special Education Programs
Online Master’s in Special Education provide all or most of their didactic training via distance learning technologies. Most programs utilize a learning management system (LMS), which is a generic term for an internet-based platform that deliver live and/or pre-recorded lectures and virtual class sessions, give students a means of contacting and interacting with instructors and classmates, and a central location to find and submit assignments, exams, and other coursework. For example, students in an online program commonly log on to the school’s LMS to engage with presentations, participate in online discussion groups, contact instructors, and complete exams and other assignments. Practical training, which can include student teaching assignments or internships, are site-based and typically completed in person at a location near a student’s home or workplace.
Online programs are designed to provide the same instruction and curriculum as campus-based programs; however, they provide additional scheduling flexibility as they do not require students to commute to a program’s campus several times per week to attend courses. While many programs are offered in an online format in which all didactic instruction is delivered fully online, some online programs require students to attend a limited number of on-campus sessions each year. These campus visits are generally short in length (often less than a week) and are designed to accommodate students who have to travel or take time off from work to attend (e.g., schools often schedule these sessions in the summer or around distinct points in the program).
Note: Most master’s in education programs that are designed to prepare students for licensure or endorsement in special education require student teaching internships or practicums. Students should inquire with a program representative about site requirements and the details of how students teaching hours are administered before applying to an online program.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Special Education Programs
Master’s programs in special education generally have one of three primary designations: Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), or a Master of Education (MEd). OnlineEducation.com researches programs, identifies programs that focus on master’s level training in special education, and classifies those programs based on their format and structure. To be listed on the site, a program must be offered by an accredited, nonprofit college or university, confer a master’s level degree in special education, and provide students with all or most of their didactic instruction via distance learning technologies. Site-based practical training, including internships, student-teaching, and supervised practicums, are not typically held on campus and are thus not factored into whether a program is classified as online or campus-based. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are classified as hybrid or blended programs and not as online programs on the site (i.e., programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year are classified as online programs).
In additional to regional accreditation, master’s in education programs may have additional programmatic accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), each of which offers general accreditation for academic teacher training programs. Specific accreditation for special education and gifted education programs is offered by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which only recently began offering accreditation services.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Special Education Programs
Key components of master’s training in special education include the theoretical foundations of learning disabilities, program and student assessment and evaluation methodologies, behavioral management strategies, special education pedagogy, and the legal and ethical framework for delivering special education services. Many Master’s in Special Education programs align curricula with guidelines developed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), a professional organization that publishes practice-based academic training and professional preparation standards.
As part of graduate training in special education, students learning about various disabilities and challenges faced by children and adolescents, such as visual and hearing impairment, cognitive learning disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioral disorders, and social and emotional disabilities. Special education teachers learn to identify and address these problems in classrooms and other K-12 learning settings. They also study special education program design, learn how to craft lesson plans for individual students and groups of students, and study the latest research in the field.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Special Education Programs
The table below provides a representative overview of the types of courses that are commonly offered by Master’s in Special Education programs. The names and descriptions are drawn from actual online graduate programs in special education.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Foundations in Mild to Moderate Disabilities | An examination of evidence-based instruction modalities for emotional behavior disorders, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, developmental cognitive disabilities, brain injuries, and more. |
| Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior | Addresses management strategies for working with students who exhibit below-age or culturally abnormal behaviors; and explores research-based interventions, multitiered systems of support (MTSS), replacement behavior and reward strategies, applied behavior analysis (ABA), data collection and assessments such as a functional behavior assessment (FBA), and behavioral improvement plans (BIPs). |
| Positive Behavior Support in Special Education | Explores the planning and implementation of positive behavior supports in special education, covering functional behavior assessment (FBA), accepted theories of behavior, and the laws, ethics, and policies in special education. |
| Introduction to Education Research in Special Education | An exploration of contemporary and historic literature on special education, how research in the field is conducted, and the integration of research findings into learning process improvement strategies. |
| Characteristics of Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders | Reviews the causes and character traits of learning and behavior disorders and how these issues are addressed in the education system, with a focus on socioeconomic factors, medical conditions, cultural diversity, and linguistic differences. |
| Special Education Law | Covers state and federal legislation and regulations pertaining to students with disabilities and how legal frameworks provide direction for educators, administrators, and policymakers. |
| Consulting, Collaboration, and Co-Teaching | Explores how to promote and advocate for the well-being and effective learning of children with exceptional learning needs (ELNs) in a wide range of settings and learning experiences; and covers effective strategies for collaboration with families, communities, other educators, and related service providers in culturally responsive ways. |
| Administration of Special Programs | An overview of how special education programs are managed, funded, and administrated at the district and state levels. |
| Universal Design for Learning | Presents an overview of how Universal Design for Learning methodology is used to create blended learning experiences that meet diverse needs and the role of educational technologies in improving accessibility and student engagement. |
| Educational Foundations - Deaf and Hard of Hearing | Explores the basic concepts of the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing; and covers literacy, language acquisition, sign language, technology such as cochlear implants, support for inclusive practices, and adaptations for deaf or hard of hearing students. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Special Education Programs
While admissions requirements for online Master’s in Special Education programs vary by school and by program, the basic eligibility requirement is a bachelor’s degree. In addition, some programs require applicants to hold an active teaching license or its equivalent. Applicants may also be required to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5, 2.75, 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale. Some programs still require the submission of graduate-level standardized test scores from the GRE or MAT, although more programs are no longer requiring students to submit test scores as part of their application process. Common additional application requirements include, but are not limited to, two or more academic or professional references, written responses to one or more essay questions, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and a professional resume or CV, all of which are typically delineated in a programs’ admissions policies and procedures.
Online Master’s in Special Education Format Options
The goal of online academic programs is to extend a school’s reach beyond the immediate region around its campus to a broader base of students who can benefit from the convenience and flexibility these programs afford. Online programs are also often designed with the scheduling needs of working professionals in mind. However, there are several key structural elements that effect the online learning experience, including methods of online instruction, enrollment formats, and whether or not the program requires students to travel for in-person campus visits. Each of these variations is explored in greater detail in the sections below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Online instruction can either be delivered in real-time, which is referred to formally as via synchronous instruction, or in a variety of formats that do not require students to be online at specific times, which is referred to as asynchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction is typified by live virtual class meetings and lectures held at specified times, much like traditional campus-based classes. For online programs that use synchronous instruction, live class meetings may be scheduled in the early morning or evening for students in different time zones, or on the weekend. While some online programs utilize synchronous instruction, others do not. In contrast, asynchronous instruction, which includes pre-recorded lectures and presentations, as well as a variety of assignments commonly associated with academic instruction (e.g., readings, papers, research projects, and exams), is a component of all online programs and is the main form of instruction for some online master’s degree programs.
While asynchronous instruction provides more scheduling flexibility and convenience for students since they can access course materials at any time, it requires students to be self-disciplined in the way they approach online learning. Synchronous instruction with weekly live streamed lectures and class meetings offers more structure for students who need it in order to keep up with readings and assignments; however, the added structure can create scheduling conflicts for working professionals or students who have obligations outside of pursuing their master’s degree. Knowing whether a program incorporates synchronous instruction can help potential applicants make an informed decision about the type of online learning experience that best fits their learning style and preferences.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: A typical master’s program consists of three to four academic semesters of graduate coursework, which takes one to two years for full-time students to complete. Students enrolled full-time in an online Master’s in Special Education program should expect to spend up to 40 hours or more per week on schoolwork when classes are in session. Full-time enrollment is an option offered by many but not all online programs and is the fastest way to earn a master’s degree.
For students who prefer to take fewer courses per term and thus reduce the amount of time per week spent on coursework, online programs commonly offer flexible and/or part-time enrollment plans. Part-time enrollment can cut the hours required to complete coursework to 20 or fewer hours per week when classes are in session. However, part-time enrollment also extends the time to completion, which is typically two to three years for students who take a part-time course load. Programs that offer courses during the summer or use alternative academic calendars with more terms per year can provide students with the option of earning their degree in two years while taking a reduced course load each term. For example, some programs offer courses more than four times per year in shorter five- or eight-week sessions, allowing students to take just one course per term and still graduate within two to three years.
Campus Visits: Most online Master’s in Special Education programs do not require students to attend any campus visits and are 100% online with the exception of practical teaching experiences, which must be completed in person at a site approved by the program. However, some online programs incorporate a limited number of campus-based sessions, commonly referred to as intensives, residencies, or immersion sessions. These campus-based requirements can enrich the online learning experience, providing opportunities for face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates, hands-on experience, and immersive instruction. However, campus visits can also create scheduling conflicts for working professionals and may involve travel and boarding expenses in addition to a program’s base tuition and fees.
Along with reviewing a program’s instructional methods and enrollment options, potential applications should confirm whether or not an online program can be completed fully online or if it requires campus visits and then determine if they would prefer a program that does or does not incorporate these sessions into the curriculum. As noted above, OnlineEducation.com classifies programs with up to two required campus visits per year as online programs. It is also important to note that internships, practicums, and site-based student teaching hours are not considered campus visits as they are often required for both students who attend campus-based programs and for students who attend online programs.