Online master’s in special education programs suit teachers seeking advanced professional development. Many offer flexibility, allowing students to fit coursework around existing commitments and avoid campus-related expenses like housing.
Dedicated teachers who pursue an online graduate degree in special education often advance to leadership roles within their schools. Other graduates find rewarding careers outside the classroom.
Master of Education
A master’s degree is a good choice for teachers who want to improve their teaching skills and learn more about the challenges facing students with special needs. Many online master’s programs are accredited by regional institutional accreditors, often offering a flexible schedule that fits the busy lives of working teachers.
Besides becoming a more effective teacher, a graduate degree can open new career opportunities. For example, some school districts struggle to find enough qualified special education teachers, and a master’s degree can help you qualify for these positions.
Master of Education programs like William Paterson University are designed to support classroom teachers as they advance and serve the children who need them most. This fully online program features a dedicated community of educators who work together to help each other succeed in their field. The curriculum also includes training on the latest research and best practices in education. It even offers a path toward board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) certification, which can increase your career options in special education.
Master of Science in Education
The world’s most unique students need special educators with specialized training to help them learn. An online master’s degree in special education prepares teaching professionals to enhance their skills, take on leadership roles, or even pursue a doctorate.
Graduate coursework explores the theory and practice of educating students with disabilities, including building a diverse classroom and incorporating cultural competence into instruction. Some programs also offer a specialization to allow students to focus their studies on a specific disability category, like Autism Spectrum Disorder or Learning Disabilities.
In addition, masters in special education online can also equip teachers to work as adjunct faculty at the college or university level. Community colleges and some four-year universities employ adjunct instructors to train and inspire future special education teachers. Those graduates can eventually earn positions as department chairs or advisors for special education programs. They may also work for non-school organizations providing services or advocating for individuals with disabilities.
Master of Arts in Education
Educators looking to take on administrative roles or advance in their current positions can find their niche within an online master of arts in education program. These graduate programs offer the flexibility of online learning and avoid campus-related costs like housing and transportation.
Master of arts in particular education program fits current teachers, those seeking initial licensure, and those without a teaching degree who want to earn certification. Students in this program learn traditional, innovative, research-based approaches to teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Many schools require educators to have Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) skills for working with students on the autism spectrum. This is one of the growing areas that a master’s in special education can help expand careers in. Several graduate programs in the area include coursework for BCBA certification. The latter consists of a track specifically for working with students on the autism spectrum.
Master of Social Work
People seek career change when they find their current role no longer meets their ikigai—the Japanese term for “a reason to be.” This is where passion, what you’re good at, and what the world needs of you intersect.
Whether you’re looking for a higher salary, a promotion, or a complete change of scenery, a graduate degree can help you meet your career goals. Depending on your career aspirations, you can choose from one of these online master’s degrees in special education.
How an Online Master in Special Education Transformed Careers
Gain the skills to make a difference in children’s lives with this interdisciplinary degree program that equips educators to implement multi-tiered support systems (MTSS) across school districts. The program emphasizes applied behavior analysis, autism, and early childhood. The online program features flexible course scheduling, so you can take classes when convenient. Gain hands-on experience working with students through fieldwork placements at local schools, mental health clinics, and social services organizations.