Masters in Special Education

If you’re happy in your career, why bother going back to school, right? Well, actually, even if you love your current job in special education, if you get a master’s degree in this field, you’ll not only be qualified for higher-level positions, but you’ll also often be offered a higher salary in your current position. Getting a master’s degree in this field to be a more advanced special education teacher certainly takes time and can be expensive, but the average salary you can expect after you graduate often makes it worth your time and money.

The exact amount you’ll earn with a masters in special education depends on your career path, as well as a number of other factors. Here is a sampling of some of the different jobs you can take and that average starting salary for these careers if you have an advanced degree:

• Pre-School or Kindergarten Special Ed Teacher: $44,331
• Elementary School Special Ed Teacher: $51,304
• Middle School Special Ed Teacher: $49,910
• Secondary School Special Ed Teacher: $46,892

As you can see, you can usually expect a starting salary of $40,000 to $50,000 in the field of special education, which is about $10,000 per year more than you would make if you were teaching with just a bachelor’s degree. In addition, many schools offer bonuses to teachers, as well as cumulative vacation and sick days.

You can also earn more by moving up the ranks in the teaching world. Some teachers enjoy working one-on-one or in small groups with special education students. However, if your primary goal is to make more money, as well as have control over things like funding, program goals, and more, you should seek a position in administration or curriculum coordination.

Special education teachers can also expect higher salaries if they work at private schools. Private schools charge a fee to parents and usually do not get state funding, while public schools are free, but the benefit is that students with mental and physical handicaps can get very specialized learning from teachers. Many private schools only hire applicants who have a master’s degree or higher, so you may not even be eligible for these higher-paying jobs if you don’t go back to school for your degree.

Keep in mind that location makes a difference as well. If you’re working is a school district located in a challenging neighborhood, you may be offered more money. At the same time, school districts in cities often have very strict funding constraints. When it comes to special education, many schools get extra funding from the government to cover unique programs, so if you’re not rooted to one specific place in the country, “shop around” so to speak and check out school districts in a number of locations.

Even if you are content with your current job, getting your master’s degree in special education will definitively teach you more about how to be a good teacher to students with mental and physical challenges. So, even if you aren’t concerned about making more money, it can make sense to go back to school. Many school districts will even help you pay for an advanced education.

Top Master of Special Education Degrees

Special education is teaching that caters to the individual differences of students with special needs, including autism, communication difficulties, developmental disorders, learning difficulties, emotional disorders, and physical disabilities. Teachers of special education programs are usually required to have a master's degree in teaching, education, or special ed. The following schools each offer online degrees in these subjects.

MS: Special Ed (K-12 Non-Lic.) MA: Sp Edu Behavioral Disorders MA: Sp Edu Learning Disabilities More Degrees...	Walden University – The Walden University Master of Science in Special Education (K-12) degree program infuses the latest in neuroscience, assessment, and intervention training to offer a students a unique learning environment. Graduates are able to successfully touch the lives of young people throughout the field of special education. Related degrees offered online by Walden include the MA in special education for behavioral disorders, MA in special education for learning disabilities, and PhD in special education
MEd: Autism Studies	University of Massuchusetts – The University of Massachusetts gives students a convenient and flexible option for obtaining a masters degrees by offering online courses for a Masters of Education in Autism Studies. This program follow industry-driven curriculum in order to help students gain the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to successfully fill high level and administrative positions in education.
MA: Teaching Special Edu w/Lic. MEd: Special Edu w/Lic.	Liberty University – At Liberty University's Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education program (M.Ed. also available), teachers are prepared to pass the following endorsements: Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education. The Advanced Master of Education degree likewise prepares graduates for a license in and Administration/Supervision, School Counseling, and Program Specialization.
MS: Special Education	Saint Joseph's University – Saint Joseph's University MS in Special Education program provides students an on-demand online master's program in special education designed for teachers that currently hold a Level 1 early childhood/elementary teaching certificate, are already certified in special education , or desire a master's degree in education.
MEd: Special Edu (With Cert) MEd: Special Edu (No Cert) More Degrees...	Grand Canyon University – The MED in Special Education (with certification or without certification) from Grand Canyon University provides current teachers advanced training in teaching students with special needs. The curriculum is designed around the idea that students with disabilities deserve the same opportunities in education as traditional students. GCU also offers an MED in Special Education for those who are already certified to teach special ed.
MAT: Special Edu	University of Phoenix – The University of Phoenix Master of Arts in Special Education degree prepares students for obtaining a teaching license in special education. Coursework includes foundations and methodologies of mild disabilities, diagnosis and assessment of disabilities, English language, reading and language, and collaboration and resource management. A bachelors degree is required.
MEd: Exceptional Student Edu EdD: Exceptional Student Edu PhD: Exceptional Student Edu	Northcentral University – Northcentral University offers one master's level degree in special education and two doctorate degrees in special education. Their Master of Education in exceptional student education prepares its students for teaching and working with individuals who may suffer from a variety of disabilities, whether behavioral, learning, mental, or physical. Two related doctorate programs are the Doctor of Education in exceptional student education and the PhD in Education with a concentration in exceptional student education.
MSEd: Inclusion Education	University of New England – The University of New England's MSEd in Inclusion Education degree program provides classroom teachers and school administrators with knowledge of critical theories and practices pertaining to special education inclusion. Upon completion of this program, graduates will have a thorough grasp of the latest research in the field of special education.
MS: Special Education	Western Governors University – The Western Governors University's online MS in Special Education degree program prepares students for certification in special ed. Graduates of this program will know how to effectively teach students with mild to moderate disabilities. Students of this program should already be certified teachers and have 15-20 hours per week to devote to studies.
MS: Special Education	Drexel University – Frequently cited as one of America's Best Graduate Schools, the Drexel Graduate School MS in Special Education program is designed for individuals seeking advanced study in special education research and/or obtaining a credential. Incoming students are required to hold a Pennsylvania instructional I or instruction II teaching certificate. The program is requires the completion of 49.5 credits.
MEd: Special Education	Concordia University – The M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Special Education will hone necessary instructional skills needed for teaching in a special education classroom. Enrollees will learn to evaluate student learning progress, modify instructional plans accordingly and implement a curriculum special needs students.
MEd: Special Ed	University of Cincinnati – The University of Cincinnati M.Ed. in special education features a unique cohort-based curriculum that empowers students to network with other teachers who are passionate about working with students with disabilities. The comprehensive and relevant curriculum consists of 45 quarter credits. The program can be completed in as little as 2 years.
MS: Teaching - Special Ed PhD: Special Ed Leadership	Capella University – The Master of Science in Special Education Teaching degree from Capella University trains teachers advanced methodologies in working with special needs students. The program is designed in accordance with national special education standards and includes courses that provide the latest methods for teaching children with learning disabilities. For students looking for a more advanced degree, Capella also offers a PhD in special education leadership.
MEd: Mild Special Ed MEd: Differentiated Instruction	Graceland University – Graceland University offers two Master of Education programs for those interested in special education: The M.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction and the M.Ed. in Mild/Moderate Special Education. Differentiated instruction is predicated on the work and teachings of Dr. Carol Ann Tomlinson and Dr. William Glasser, and teaching those with mixed needs.
MEd: Special Edu & Reading MA: Special Ed	University of Nebraska at Kearney – For students looking to advance their careers quickly and achieve life goals, University of Nebraska at Kearney offers a Masters of Education in Special Education and Reading as well as a Masters of Arts in Special Education both online and at their campus. Both degrees can completed in under two years at any computer – no special software required.