Online Special Education Degrees 2022

Special education teachers educate K-12 students with one or more physical or mental disabilities, providing a modified learning experience for their needs.

by Thomas Broderick

Updated September 6, 2022

Reviewed by ACO Rankings Team

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Special education teachers educate K-12 students with one or more physical or mental disabilities. Their work ensures that these learners receive a modified educational experience aligning with their unique needs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that these professionals earn a median $61,030 annual salary. The BLS projects the field to grow 3% from 2019-2029.

Special education teachers working in a public school need a state-issued license to practice. Attaining a license involves earning a bachelor's in special education. Many reputable institutions offer online education degrees providing students the same academic experience as on-campus learners.

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Questions and Answers about Special Education

What kind of jobs can you get with a special education degree?

A special education bachelor's degree qualifies graduates for licensure in their home state. Licensed educators pursue jobs at K-12 public schools. Other potential job sites include preschools and private schools.

How long does it take to get a special education degree?

Like other bachelor's degrees, a special education program takes approximately four years to complete. Incoming students with an associate degree or significant transfer credit may only need two years.

What certification do you need for special education?

States regulate K-12 education by requiring all public school educators to possess a teaching license. Earning a license involves completing a state-approved program and student teaching under a licensed educator.

Are special education teachers in demand?

Although the BLS projects only 3% growth in the special education field from 2019-2029, many states report significant teacher shortages. Employers value highly qualified applicants more than those with only a provisional teaching license.

Why Get a Degree in Special Education?

Potential benefits of working in special education include personal and professional satisfaction. A teaching license provides career flexibility, as teachers can obtain additional endorsements by just passing an exam or earning a certificate. These endorsements allow educators to teach different subjects or qualify for an administrative position.

Online special education programs may offer learners advantages on-campus programs do not provide, such as an asynchronous curriculum. Asynchronous classes do not convene at set times, allowing students to continue working while in school. Online degree-seekers hone technological and time-management skills.

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How Much Does a Special Education Degree Cost?

A bachelor's in special education's total cost depends on numerous factors, including whether students attend a private or public school. The latter offers the most affordable tuition rate to in-state learners. However, some online public institutions waive out-of-state tuition. Typically, private schools cost more, but charge all degree-seekers the same tuition rate.

Online special education programs may offer additional cost savings, such as a facilities fee waiver. Many top schools include textbooks in the tuition price, saving students hundreds of dollars per semester. Other discounts may apply to select groups, such as veterans and their dependents.

Fees unique to bachelor's in special education programs may include a criminal background check, a requirement to teach. Degree-seekers pay a fee when submitting their teaching license application. Please consult a special education program's admissions or academic advisor to learn more about fees and waivers.

How Much Do Special Education Majors Make?

Special education majors' annual salaries depend on where they work. Secondary special education teachers in New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland earn approximately $20,000 over the national median salary for special education teachers. California and Oregon school districts also use a high median salary to attract highly qualified educators. However, teachers in these states may encounter a high cost of living.

Students should consider top-paying employers. Public schools offer approximately $7,000 more annually than private schools. Special education teachers working in high schools earn slightly more than their peers at elementary or middle schools.

Special education teachers increase their salary potential by gaining on-the-job experience. Public school systems offer an annual salary increase and grant raises to educators with National Board Certification. Other ways to increase salary potential include earning a master's in special education or one or more graduate certificates.

Courses in Special Education

Top bachelor's in special education programs convey the knowledge and skills educators need while qualifying graduates for a teaching license. In class, students learn to work with children with mild to moderate physical or intellectual disabilities. Some programs emphasize elementary or secondary education, as children and adolescents in both groups face different challenges.

Typical bachelor's in special education programs offer some if not all of the following courses. Curricula vary by program, and not all schools provide students with the same academic experience and learning outcomes. Please consult a program's website or contact an admissions advisor for additional information and guidance.

Standards-Based Planning
Public school educators develop lessons by following their district or state's curriculum standards. Students in standards-based planning observe and work alongside licensed educators at a local school. These teachers also mentor degree-seekers, explaining how they turn standards into engaging lessons. This course's hands-on experiences prepare learners for student teaching.
Introduction to Special Education Generalist
A special education generalist possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to work in K-12 special education. The class emphasizes instructional techniques applicable to different age groups and disabilities. Coursework includes examining relevant federal, state, and local laws. Professionals use what they learn in this course to create positive learning environments.
Intervention for Emotional/Behavioral Needs
Children and adolescents with disabilities have unique emotional and behavioral needs, making learning in a general education classroom difficult at times. Special education teachers apply intervention strategies aimed at modifying behavior and encouraging learning. Coursework involves examining how educators prevent students with a disability from causing physical harm to themselves or others.

Certifications and Licensure for Special Education

Special education bachelor's degree-holders may need more than a college degree to attain an entry-level position. Professionals must possess a state-issued license to apply to open positions at a public school. Other pathways to increase employability include professional certifications. Private organizations award certifications to educators demonstrating mastery of special education best practices.

Special education teachers with a master's degree may qualify for the credential. Candidates earn five certifications by taking courses and passing examinations with a minimum 80% score. National Association of Special Education Teachers members receive a discount on the certification process. Educators maintain their certification by paying an annual fee.

A teaching license qualifies professionals to educate K-12 public school students. Eligibility criteria include graduating from an approved teacher-preparation program involving student teaching at one or more schools. Candidates also submit to a criminal background check. Educators maintain their license by completing continuing education courses.

Licensed educators planning to transition to special education need an endorsement. This process involves enrolling in a college or university program lasting approximately one year. Learners complete graduate-level coursework in different disabilities and education best practices. After graduation, educators receive the endorsement by filing forms with their state's board of teacher licensure.

Scholarships for Special Education

Learners avoid student debt in multiple ways, such as attending an affordable college or university. Another option involves applying for private scholarship opportunities. Scholarships like those below award funding to online learners and undergraduates pursuing a special education bachelor's degree. Please use the embedded links to learn more about each scholarship's application requirements.

Scholarships for Special Education
Scholarship	Amount	Who Can Apply
Alma Exley Scholarship Program	$5,000	Connecticut upperclassmen part of a minority group apply to the Alma Exley Scholarship Program. Applicants submit recommendation letters, two brief essays, and a resume by October 31.
Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship	Up to $5,536 annually	The Kansas Board of Regents awards this scholarship to in-state undergraduates preparing to teach a hard-to-fill subject, including special education. Interested students submit one recommendation letter, official transcripts, and a personal essay by May 1.
National American Sign Language Honor Society National College ASL Scholarship	$1,750-$2,500	Undergraduates preparing for a career educating deaf children and adolescents may qualify. NASLHS considers student members in good standing and requires two essays and two recommendation letters by April 16.