Why This Matters

  • $61,420 ANNUAL SALARY

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the median salary for special education teachers in 2020 was $61,420.

  • EXPECT 3% JOB GROWTH

    The BLS projects that jobs for special education teachers will increase by 3% from 2019 to 2029. This will mean an extra 14,300 positions in preschool and K-12 special education classrooms, with the largest growth expected at the preschool level.

  • HIGHEST EMPLOYMENT IN NY, TX, AND CA

    New York, Texas, and California hire the most special education teachers, followed by Illinois and New Jersey.

Our Research

We found the most affordable online master’s in special education programs by looking at their estimated cost per credit. This was calculated using the program’s tuition cost and the total number of credits needed to graduate. Accredited programs with the lowest cost per credit made the list.

There are a number of organizations that accredit college education programs. We included degrees accredited by national organizations, such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). We also considered programs accredited by regional accreditation organizations, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC).

  • 51 hours to write this article
  • 100 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 190 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Affordable Online Master’s in Special Education Programs

Most Affordable Online Master's in Special Education Programs Badge
01
Intelligent Pick
Fort Hays State University
01
start dates?
Lamar University
01
Best Licensure Prep
Bemidji State University
01
Best for Endorsement
Northwestern College
01
Best in the South
Mississippi College
01
Best Field Experience
Delta State University
01
Best in the West
Western Governors University
01
Best for Autism Intervention
University Of North Texas
01
Best Specializations
Minot State University
01
Best for Research
The University of Texas Permian Basin
01
Best in the Northeast
Fitchburg State University
01
Best in the Southwest
Eastern New Mexico University
01
Best for Dyslexia
University Of Houston-Victoria
01
Best for Deaf Education
Texas Woman's University
01
Best Teach Well Program
University of Florida
01
Best for Curriculum/Instruction
West Texas A&M University
01
Best for Gifted/Talented
Arkansas State University
01
Best for Behavioral Disorders
Kentucky State University
01
Best Bilingual Option
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
01
Best for Blindness
Missouri State University
01
Best for Intense Intervention
Indiana University Bloomington
01
Most Customizable
Indiana State University
01
Best for Licensed Educators
University of the Cumberlands
01
Best for Licensure
University of Arkansas at Monticello
01
Best for Diagnostician Certification
The University of Texas at Tyler
01
Best Midsize Public University, South
Valdosta State University
01
Best for Applied Behavior Analysis
University of Nebraska Omaha
01
Best for High Incidence
Emporia State University
01
Best Certificate Track
Montana State University Billings
01
Best for Culturally Diverse Learners
Florida International University
01
Best Birth-K Endorsement
University Of Central Arkansas
01
Best for Special Ed Strategy
University of North Dakota
01
Best Non-Thesis Option
Pittsburg State University
01
Best No-GRE Option
Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University
01
Best Minor Option
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01
Best for Early Intervention
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
01
Best Non-Certification Option
Stephen F. Austin State University
01
Best for Vets
University of Louisiana Monroe
01
Best Comprehensive Track
Buena Vista University
01
Most Flexible
Morningside College
01
Best Christian Option
Campbellsville University
01
Best Advanced Practitioner Option
University of Nebraska at Kearney
01
Most Affordable
Wichita State University
01
Best Internship Option
Adams State University
01
Best Mild Track
Purdue University
01
Best for Challenging Behavior
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
01
Best Assistantships
University Of Wyoming
01
Best Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Eastern Illinois University
01
Best Cohort Option
Kennesaw State University
01
Best Part-Time Option
UMass Boston Online

What You Should Know About This Degree

Cost can be a major factor for students who are considering whether to pursue an online master’s degree in special education. Tuition for graduate programs is often charged on a per-credit basis, so look at the number of credits the program requires and the tuition rate to get a picture of the overall cost.

As a graduate student, you may still have outstanding loans from your undergraduate degree and may wish to consolidate them before taking new loans for your graduate degree. There is a limit to the amount of money you can borrow through federal student aid, which may be an issue if you used federal loans for your undergraduate studies.

Online programs do allow you to continue working while you pursue further education, but it can be difficult to juggle study with work and other obligations. It’s important you have the self-motivation, time management, and organizational skills to keep up with studies, as well as access to reliable internet and electronic devices.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online master’s in special education degree programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? The admission requirements for an online master’s in special education can vary widely between schools, so it’s important to check with schools before applying. The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree, and for some programs, you also need a teaching license and experience.
  • Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? You can find online master’s of special education courses offered both synchronously and asynchronously. Asynchronous formats, which don’t require you to be online at a specific time for classes, are becoming more popular as students look for study options that fit around other responsibilities.
  • How long does it take to complete an online master’s in special education? The exact amount of time it takes to complete a master’s in special education differs depending on the school and the structure of the program. For most degrees, you need to complete at least 30 credit hours, and this takes 1-2 years for a full-time student.
  • What tests are required for an online special education program? Some schools ask for GRE scores when assessing applications. Check admission guidelines before applying to make sure you meet the school’s requirements.