Best Online Master’s in Special Education

Concordia’s online Special Education Master’s degree is a Master of Arts. The program takes a hands-on approach that emphasizes research and real-world classroom experience. Graduation requires you to earn an Illinois state teaching license, regardless of where you live. Courses at this school last eight weeks. Some courses you’ll take in this program include Instructional Strategies for Students with Learning and Behavioral Disorders, Assistive Technology Principles and Practices, and Psychology and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner. Concordia is very military friendly. In addition to tuition for most military service members, this university also offers the “Top-Up” program which serves as another benefit to supplement other tuition assistance programs.

The UWA online graduate school will admit any qualified certified teacher to their Master’s of Special Education program. Coursework is divided into two parts: 16 credit hours of instruction, and 18 credit hours of hands-on classroom experience. To graduate, you’ll need to pass a comprehensive examination. The course length at this university is only eight weeks. UWA does require a fingerprint screening as well as a verification of background clearance. Once you’re in the graduate program, you will be assigned a personal success coach who can help and answer any questions you may have.

GCU places a lot of emphasis on hands-on experience. To earn a Master’s in Special Education from this school, you need to complete an immersive 15-week session of observed student teaching. The program is relatively comprehensive, covering administrative as well as educational areas of interest. You will be taught by expert adjunct staff and tenured professors who have years of experience in the field and can help you navigate through the special education procedures and laws. Some areas of study for this degree include classroom management strategies, developmentally appropriate teaching skills, and adaptation of learning materials for the least restrictive environment.

Ashford University’s online Master’s in Special Education program allows you to take as few as one class at a time. On the one hand, it would take several years to earn a degree this way, but it’s an excellent option for a working adult. Graduation does not require a teaching certificate, so you can obtain one later if need be. In this program you’ll learn how to create and implement learning programs for exceptional students. You can earn transfer credits from your two or four year university programs as well as nontraditional credits from professional experience, military training, or national testing programs.

University of the Cumberlands offers a Master’s in teaching with a Special Education concentration. This degree requires three levels of classroom clinical work. Admission does not require teaching experience, but it does require you to pass the PRAXIS exam if you’re a non-teacher. Passing will require you to obtain a Kentucky state teaching license. Some classes you will take with this degree are Classroom Behavior Management for Special Student Populations and Collaborative Curriculum and Transition Planning. This university has a program dedicated to military veterans called Troop to Teachers. Eligible individuals could earn bonuses of 10K to teach in schools with a high percentage of low-income families or up to 5K to help pay for teacher certification costs.

WGU’s online Master’s in Special Education degree is designed for teachers who want a ross-categorical program. You’ll be trained to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K–12. Since this school charges by the term, not by the credit hour, you’ll pay less the faster you complete your degree. Courses you’ll take in this program include Behavioral Management and Intervention, Psychoeducational Assessment Practices and IEP, and Foundations of Instructional Design. Passing the Praxis Subject Assessment is required for graduation at your own expense. Graduates of WGU Teachers College have been recipients of many professional honors like Gates Millennium Scholars and Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award.

Mississippi College offers online courses in short, seven-week sessions. This allows you to start your degree at any time of year. If you take a full course load, you can graduate in as little as 10 months. Graduates of the program will be able to show their proficiency in Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards as well as plan effective goals and learning experience for groups of diverse learners. Courses you will take in this program include Characteristics of Students with Mild/Moderate Learning Problems, Organizational Procedures for Special Education, and Current Education and Psychological Testing Procedures.

Morningside College’s Master’s in Special Education program is divided into two parts. The first is an 18-credit hour foundational set of courses that are required for all students. The second is composed of 18 credit hours of elective courses, so students can tailor their education to their own interests. A Praxis Core or GRE test is required for admission. This school also requires a criminal background check. You can choose between two track options for this degree; Learning Disabilities or Intellectual Disabilities or Behavior Disorders. The program recommends that you have three years of baccalaureate work, although it is not a requirement.

ESU’s Master’s in Special Education degree is offered entirely online. You can choose from two concentrations: Gifted, Talented, and Creative Concentration or High Incidence Concentration. You must pass the Graduate Essay Examination during your first term of enrollment. The High Incidence Concentration does not require this. It involves a lot of student teaching work, so working teachers will be comfortable with the program requirements. You will also be required to complete a master’s capstone project or a master’s level thesis. This school offers several scholarships and financial assistance for pre-service teachers including the Patterson Scholarship, TEACH Grant, as well as loan cancellation or deferment options for teachers. 

Campbellsville University is an affordable Christian university located in Kentucky. That said, its online Master’s in Special Education degrees are available to students in all 50 states. Completion takes two years with a full course load. In this program, you’ll learn how to create a strong and effective learning environment for students with learning, behavioral, and emotional disorders. You will get hands-on experience in this program by identifying a learning issue with a group of students and research mediation methods specific to their needs. You will implement your approach and collect data that will be presented to someone within the district or your colleagues.

NAU’s Master’s in Special Education program is designed for those who want to enhance their skills and knowledge with teaching students with disabilities, those who want to serve these individuals through human service agencies, or in private settings. NAU offers four different emphasis programs to help you specialize your degree. These specialties are Positive Behavior Support, Cross-Categorical/High Incidence, Disability Studies, and Early Childhood. You’re not required to focus on a special emphasis area and you may choose more than one special emphasis area. An IVP Fingerprint clearance card is required for admission. You will not be able to get teacher certification with this program.

Union College offers an online Master’s in Special Education degree that can prepare you for leadership opportunities in your school, classroom, or district. During the course of this program, you will develop the skills needed to analyze and find solutions for students with learning and behavioral disorders. You’ll learn how to do this through case studies, research opportunities, creating action research proposals, and clinical placements.  Student teaching time isn’t required for this program. Union College’s program is best suited for actively working teachers. Graduates of the program can apply to apply to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) for a Learning and Behavior Disorders Endorsement.

This program is designed for students who already know what they want to do with their degree. NSU offers multiple concentrations, including Gifted Education, Early Intervention, and Mild/Moderate Special Education for Elementary, Middle, and Secondary school. This university is a good choice for students who have just finished their bachelor’s degree. This program does not lead to a license or certificate in any state, you must research your specific state requirements for this. NSU is very military friendly and has earned the 2019-20 Military Friendly School designation from VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs.

Niagara University’s online Master’s in Special Education is designed for working teachers. Courses are 100 percent online, and are available for all levels of education. In addition, Niagara offers an Advanced Certificate, and an Annotation in Severe & Multiple Disabilities if you’re intending to specialize. The annotation requires you already have your New York State initial certification as a teacher of students with disabilities. Some courses you may take in this program include Characteristics of Students with Exceptional Needs, Family to Independent Living for Individuals with Disabilities, and Reading Difficulties: Diagnosis and Intervention. In the curriculum for grades 1-6 and 7-12, you’ll need to create a comprehensive portfolio.

National University has 20 campuses located throughout Southern California and Nevada, and it has recently started offering classes online. NU’s Master’s in Special Education degree is designed to increase your job opportunities for teacher practitioners but also advocacy and leadership roles. It includes optional specializations in Early Childhood, Autism, Learning Outcomes, Language and Academic Development, Mild/Moderate Disability, and Moderate/Severe Disability. Classes at this school are only 4-weeks long, enabling you to finish your degree faster. NU is a military friendly school. It is a Yellow Ribbon school and offers tuition discounts for military service people and dependents.

UWG’s online Master’s in Special Education program offers two curriculum tracks. The General Curriculum prepares students for teaching mild to moderate special needs students, while the Adapted Curriculum prepares students for teaching moderate to severe students. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree, but not a teaching certificate. Some classes you’ll take in this program include Classroom Behavior Management, Regulations and Requirements in Special Education, and Educational Characteristics of Learners: Mild Disabilities. In this program, you may take up to 5 courses to meet concentration requirements in a variety of subjects including math, reading, science, social studies, or language arts.

Ball State offers two types of online Master’s in Special Education degrees. The first is geared towards students who want to work in administrative and non-teaching roles. The second is designed specifically to help students earn their teaching certificate for special education. SOme courses you’ll take in this program include Introduction to Disability Services in the Post-Secondary Setting, Theory and Practice in Early Childhood Special Education, and Special Education Administration and Organizational Behavior. If you complete one or more of the specializations, this could lead to employment in self-contained classrooms, resource rooms, local, state, or private agencies, as well as residential schools where you can serve children and adults with disabilities.

Wilmington University offers a Master’s in Special Education in person on its Delaware campuses, or online to all 50 states. Its programs are highly tailored to specific specialties, and some can require as much as 54 credit hours of coursework. The concentrations you can choose from are Special Education Teacher K-12, Special Education Teacher of Students with Disabilities K-12, Special Education, Instruction, Paraeducator to Special Education Teacher K-12 , and M.Ed. in Education Studies, Special Education K-12. In addition to standard teaching tracks, it also offers concentrations for administrators. Classes at this school start every 8-weeks.

The University of Florida’s online Master’s in Special Education degree program is tailored for working teachers, who can boost their credentials on their own time. UF offers specializations in Early Childhood Studies, Dyslexia, Autism, Disabilities in Society, and General Special Education. No student teaching is required for graduation, but classroom experience is required for admission. The program is designed for part-time students and can be completed in 2 years. Some classes you will take in this program include Intervention for Language and Learning Disabilities, Accessing Academic and Social Communities for Students with Disabilities, and Community and Work Access for Individuals with Disabilities.

Concordia’s offers an online M.Ed. in Special Education. In this program you will learn to create specialized instructional strategies for students with cognitive, physical, mental, and mild to moderate learning disabilities. If you so desire, you can take additional course work to earn a K-6, 7-12, and K-12 endorsement for Nebraska. Check your own state’s regulations to see if they will honor a Nebraska endorsement. Courses you’ll take in this program include Current Issues and Legal Aspects of Special Education and Inclusion, Instructional Methods for Students with Diverse Needs in Inclusive Settings, and Psychological Foundations of Teaching and Learning.

Harding University offers a highly selective online Master’s in Special Education program. It offers 11 different endorsements. Since these include several endorsements that are oriented towards administration, Harding is an excellent choice for professional administrators. Some courses you will take in this program are Managing the Learning Environment for Students with Exceptionalities, Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education, and Interdisciplinary Planning and Methods for Working with Students with Exceptionalities. You will also be required to do an internship with this program at a K-12 school. All requirements must be met within 8 years from the time you are admitted into the program.

Wayne State College offers a MSE in Special Education online. This school offers four unique pathways: Special Education Advanced Study, Special Education for Initial Certification, Special Education for Additional Certification, and Special Education Supervisor. The Initial Certification program requires 51 credits, while the Additional Certification, Advanced Study, and Special Education Supervisor tracks only require 36. You must provide a statement of interest to the Dean for admission. In addition to Wayne State’s pricing being one of the most competitive available, they offer Graduate Assistantships. You would receive a stipend for the academic year as well as tuition.

BVU offers a basic online Master’s in Special Education degree that is designed to provide hands-on experience, science, and theory in teaching professionals how to serve students with disabilities. With an additional 15 hours, students can also earn an endorsement in Mild/Moderate Disabilities for K-12, or endorsements for Moderate/Severe Disabilities in specific areas. The program is designed for the scheduling needs of working teachers, but no prior teaching experience is required for admission. Courses you will take as part of the Master of Education in Special Education Core are Leadership in a Changing Society and Culture, Intro to Graduate Study & Research, and Learning, Development & Motivation.

FHSU specializes in High-Incidence Special Education, which means special education for students with disabilities rather than for gifted students. The program is designed to meet most states’ requirements for adding a Special Education endorsement to an existing teaching license. Graduation requires completion of a portfolio that includes a classroom case study. FHSU’s online special education master’s degree program has been ranked #2 in the nation by AffordableColleges.com. You must complete a comprehensive portfolio or a thesis. You will also be required to pass the Praxis II if you’re looking for endorsement. Some courses you’ll take include Methods and Materials for Exceptional Students and Behavior Management in Schools.

UCF’s online Master’s in Special Education program is notable because it offers a few endorsements you won’t see in most Special Education programs. To begin with, it offers an Exceptional Student Educator endorsement for teaching gifted students. It also offers endorsements for teaching autistic students, or students with speech and hearing challenges. You will be taught by professors who are already certified in teaching exceptional students. After successfully completing the program, you may find yourself in a variety of positions like an Autistic Teacher, Speech And Audio Therapist, or Special Education Administrator. This school was ranked one of the most innovative universities in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2020 Guide.

Concordia University’s online Master’s in Special Education program is divided across 10 classes. It offers multiple endorsements, including programs for both gifted and disabled students. For graduation, you’ll be required to complete either an “Action Research”—a case study—or a Practitioner Inquiry, a self-study of your own teaching method. This school offers several scholarship opportunities for graduate students, including a $4,000 District Partnership Scholarship, a $2,000 Title I Scholarship, and a $3,000 Military Scholarship. After graduation you will have access to a professional alumni network of over 20,000 College of Education graduates.

Graceland University’s program is designed for licensed teachers who are already working. This program is meant for adding a Special Education endorsement to your existing teaching license. As with all Master’s of Special Education programs, reach out to your state’s Board of Education to make sure they meet your local requirements. Some courses you will take in this program are Collaborative Study of the Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Developing and Facilitating Effective Professional Development Experiences, and Managing Student Learning and Behavior. You will also be required to do an action research study. You’ll present your findings and conclusions.

MSU–Mankato’s master’s program is geared specifically towards bachelor’s degree holders who want to specialize in educating autistic students. No teaching license is required for admission, and an optional licensure track allows you to take additional classes to work towards a license if needed. The degree focuses primarily on behavior management and transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Some courses you will take in this program are Formal/Informal Clinical Procedures, Special Education Law, and Behavior Management and Learning Environments for Diverse Learners. This school offers several scholarship opportunities including Claire E. Faust Educational Leadership Scholarship and Leroy Sydness Family Special Education Scholarship.

Liberty University’s program is a non-licensure track program that is designed to teach you how to positively impact exceptional students’ lives through adopting different teaching concepts and strategies. This allows you to start at virtually any time of year, and take time off as needed for your existing career. Liberty will accept up to 18 transfer credits, making it a good choice if you already started your master’s degree elsewhere. This school is military friendly and offers tuition discounts to veterans, current service members, and spouses of current and former military service members. First Responders will also get an additional discount.

NMHU offers an online Master’s in Special Education program that is divided into three portions. The first 12 credit hours consist of core credits, while the next 12 consist of credits in your specialization. The final 12 credits are research based, with a focus on correct methodology. Some courses you’ll take in this program include Psychocultural/Psychosocial Aspects of Disability, Organization and Administration of Special Education, and Assessment Issues for Gifted Education. You will be required to complete a thesis as part of its graduation requirements. This school also offers a certificate that leads to licensure.

MSU’s master’s program requires fewer credit hours of instruction than most universities, but it’s by no means easy. Graduation requires completion and presentation of a capstone thesis, as well as earning a passing score on the PRAXIS II. Several concentrations are available for study, including a specialization in Deaf and Hard of Hearing education, Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education Strategist, and Specific Learning Disabilities. If you’re looking to get your initial licensure in North Dakota, then you will be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. This school is military friendly and offers educational benefits for veterans.

UNK’s Master’s in Special Education program focuses primarily on gifted students. Other specializations include Advanced Practitioner and High Ability Education. These specializations are in K-6 and 7-12 education. The program requires four core classes which cover areas like diversity, research, and technology. There is a comprehensive exam/project you will have to complete for graduation. It includes an exam given by the department, a program exam/project, as well as the College of Education survey of Desired Outcomes. Some of the core classes of this program are Philosophy of Education, Overview of Assistive Technology, and Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education.

Jacksonville State’s M.Ed. program in Special Education packs its coursework into a one-year program. This makes it a poor choice for working teachers, but an excellent choice for students who are just finishing their bachelor’s degree. It offers multiple specializations, for age groups from preschool through grade 12. If you have your bachelors in another degree of study, then you can take their The Alternative Fifth-Year Program. This will lead to both an M.S. Ed. and fifth-year Alabama Class A Teacher Certification. Some classes you may take depending on your concentration include Intervention in the Early Childhood Education Classroom, Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education, and Psychological Principles of Learning.

UWF’s online Master’s in Special Education focus emphasizes teaching exceptional students. UWF offers two primary areas of study: Special & Alternative Education, and Applied Behavior Analysis. You will not be required to have a teacher certification if you choose to specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis. Studies include a 21-credit hour core, as well as 15 hours of study in your concentration. This school aims to ensure your success by providing a faculty mentor who will help advise you on professional issues as well as provide career advice. UWF also offers Graduate Assistantships. If you have a documented need, then you may be eligible to apply for the UWF Graduate Grant.

UNI’s Special Education: Consultant Emphasis (MAE) is designed to create effective instructional coaches and special education consultants. UNI’s program requires both passing a comprehensive exam as well as 90 hours of observed instruction. This is an advanced program, and requires a minimum of four years of teaching experience for admission. Classes are held in the evening, so working teachers can attend after their daytime teaching careers. Some courses you’ll take in this program include Special Education Law and Policy, Foundations of Instructional Psychology, and Qualitative Research in Special Education. Courses must be taken in the sequence they are delivered in.

EKU’s program is designed for students who are already working as teachers and want to increase their rank and salary, expand their subject knowledge, and perhaps get a promotion into administration and curriculum design. It offers eight-week terms, which allows you to sign up at any time of year. They also accept up to nine transfer credits, so you don’t have to start over from scratch if you already started a degree somewhere else. This school is military friendly and offers tuition discounts for active duty military. There are three program tracks for the Special Education program: Learning and Behavior Disorders, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

FIU’s master’s program is specialized for Autism Education. The program includes 21 hours of core course work, as well as 15 hours of specialized autism-related course work. This degree leads to a Florida Autism Endorsement. Applicants are required to have either a bachelor’s degree or the foreign equivalent. Some courses you will take in this program include Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners, Assessment and Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder , and Advanced Theory and Research in Special Education. This school has a scholarship available specifically for online graduate students called the FIU Online Academic Merit Scholarship.

Delta State’s online Master’s in Special Education degree requires 30 to 33 hours of coursework, depending on your specialization. Admission standards are high, requiring both a bachelor’s degree and a minimum score on either the CASE exam or the ACT. Graduation standards are unique—students can complete either a comprehensive written and oral exam or present a thesis. Some courses you will take in this program include Programming for Individuals with Severe/Multiple Disabilities, Education of Young Children with Exceptional Learning Needs, and Foundations of Special Education in Inclusive Settings. You will also need to pass the PRAXIS II: Special Education Core Knowledge and Applications exam.

Eastern University’s M.Ed. program prepares both teachers and those who want to get into administrative positions for providing education to special needs students in Pre-K through 12th grade. You can take extra classes to earn endorsements in Autism or Applied Behavior Analysis. This program has four start dates throughout the year. Eastern University is military friendly and offers special financial aid opportunities to service members, veterans, and spouses and dependents. Courses are taught in the evening. Some classes you will take in this program include Teaching Techniques for Low Incidence Students, Emotional & Behavioral Disorders w/ Field Experience, and Early Intervention and Transition Planning.

The University of Phoenix–Arizona offers a Master of Arts in Special Education that’s built for immersion. Six-week courses allow you to take a single class at a time and still earn your degree in less than two years. That said, you’ll need to perform 100 hours of student teaching field work in order to graduate. This degree prepares you for many positions within special education including a special education inclusion teacher or intervention specialist. You can transfer up to 6 credits for this program. You will get hands-on experience through student teaching. Under the supervision of a teacher and a University of Phoenix Faculty Supervisor, you’ll create lesson plans, and teach and work with diverse student populations while also incorporating technology.

MSU–Springfield offers four different specializations in its M.Ed. program. These specializations are Autism Spectrum Disorder, Blindness and low vision, Accelerated MSEd – Autism spectrum disorder, and Special education alternative certification track. Autism Spectrum Disorder requires 46 credits, while Orientation and Mobility and the Special Education Alternative Certification Track both require 45. The Visual Impairment specialization is notable and requires 39 credit hours of coursework. You will also be required to complete a Family Care Safety Registry background check. The core classes you will take are Impact of Contemporary Issues & Diversity in Special Education, Educational Research Methodology, and Research Seminar in Special Education or Thesis Option.

The University of the Southwest’s online Master’s program is a basic general Special Education degree. It covers all education levels from preschool through 12th grade, but does not include an endorsement in any one area. This program is designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in academic achievement in special needs students by gaining knowledge of their needs and doing research-based strategies on their conditions. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission. Some courses you will take in this program are Cultivating Cultural Responsiveness in Schools, Delivery of Special Education Services at the Preschool and High School Settings, and Adapting Curriculum for Exceptional Learners. You will be required to take the course Educational Research before taking your other courses.

The University of Alabama’s online Master’s of Education program specializes in 6-12 education. It’s designed for teachers who already hold a bachelor’s-level certificate and are working in the field. Some practical field work is required for graduation, although the exact nature will depend on your advisor. Completing this program will lead to Alabama Class A certification in Collaborative 6-12. Courses you will take in this program include Methods and Severe Disabilities, Teacher Consultant Models in Special Education, and Diagnosis and Assessment of Exceptional Children and Youth. This school offers several graduate scholarships including the Joan and Wray Pearce Endowed Scholarship in Education and the Leeman C. Joslin Scholarship in Behavioral Studies Scholarship.

The M.Ed. program at USF is designed for people who have bachelor’s degrees in non-education-related fields. As a result, the program requires 50 credit hours of coursework, covering requirements not just for special education, but also for general education. Field work is required for graduation, since students are not expected to have ever taught a class before. You may be able to receive TEACH Grant funding which is up to $8,000. Some courses you will take in this program are Developing Individualized Educational Programs for Students with Disabilities, Creating Positive Learning Environments for Students with Disabilities, and Implementing and Evaluating Programs for Students with Disabilities.

Rowan University’s Master’s program in Special Education requires 18 hours of coursework to meet the core requirements. Beyond that, you’ll have 12 to 18 more credit hours of work depending on your specialization. It is designed for new teachers and continuing teachers who want to enhance their knowledge with a focus on fulfilling the psychological and sociological needs of students with disabilities. Students can focus on the Graduate Endorsement track, the Autism Spectrum Disorders track, the Learning Disabilities track, or the Early Childhood Special Education track. Some courses you will take in this program are Collaborative Instruction In Inclusive Classrooms, Communication Skills For Students With Disabilities, and Inquiry in Special Education Settings.

Jackson State’s exclusive master’s program requires both a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate for admission. Core requirements are for 12 credit hours, with 24 additional credit hours in more specialized classes. In order to graduate, students need to pass both an oral and a written examination. Some courses you will take in this program include Educational Management of Students with Visual and Multiple Disabilities, Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities, and Education and Psychology of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. You will be required to master skills in culturally relevant pedagogy, technology-based instruction, collaborative consultation, and evidence-based instruction.

The University of Louisville offers two types of M.Ed. degrees. The first, a 36-credit hour Master of Science degree, is designed for working teachers. The second is a standalone 18-credit hour Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis graduate certificate. Courses will be offered from 4:30 to 7 p.m. ET on specific weekdays. Some courses you will take include Moderate/Severe Disabilities Curriculum and Methods, Behavior Analytic Approach to Communication, and Foundational Concepts in Intellectual and Physical Disabilities. You must also take Introduction to Exceptional Children or an equivalent for a prerequisite. For graduation, this degree requires entry, midpoint and exit assessments. 

Southwestern College offers a Master’s program in Special Education that’s designed for working, degree-holding teachers. It offers multiple endorsements, including K-6 and 6-12. Both of these require 36 hours of coursework, while a non-degree endorsement in High-Incidence Disabilities only requires 33 credit hours. The courses in the High-Incidence Special Education Program are 12 weeks long with the exception of one course. Some core major requirements you will take are Instructional Strategies: Behavioral Difficulties, Collaboration with Parents and Professionals, and Legal Issues in Special Education. This school is very military friendly, it accepts up to 64 credit hours from the CCAF, DANTES, ACE-evaluated training.

Nova Southeastern University’s department of Special Education focuses on bilingual education. It offers 14 different specializations, including Autism, Spanish Language Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Depending on specialization, earning a degree requires 30 to 36 hours of coursework. This university has an Office Of Placement Services which will help place teachers throughout the world and find the right location for you. You will need to have a specific Security Clearance depending on your field placement. Some of its specializations are either Florida state approved or Nevada state approved. Others are degree only programs.

BSU offers a Master’s in Special Education program specifically for working teachers. Its program allows you to focus either on behavioral disorders or Autism Spectrum disorder. BSU offers Graduate Assistantships which include a tuition waiver and stipend. In exchange, you’ll be expected to complete certain research and/or teaching assignments. Some courses you will take in this program are Study of the Learner with Special Needs, Math Difficulties: Diagnosis and Intervention, and Reading Difficulties: Diagnosis and Intervention. You will also be required to complete a capstone project as well as complete a formal research paper/thesis proposal.