classestoedu

Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Special Education

One of the greatest challenges for educators is to surmount the myth that children with disabilities cannot be served, and that their needs exceed the ability of the school district to help them. In truth, qualified special education teachers have the tools and vision to assess these children, design instructional materials, and employ teaching strategies that dramatically improve student learning and social skills. To flourish at the master's degree level, special education teachers-in-training may be challenged to research and incorporate the methodologies that build the necessary skill sets demanded in the modern classroom.

A master's degree in special education may take between two and three years to complete. For those students who are already teaching or assisting in the classroom, an online master's in special education may provide flexibility and convenience. If you choose to earn a master's degree online, you can keep your work and family commitments without relocating to a campus-based graduate program. Use this comprehensive planning guide to help you determine which kind of master's degree in special education is right for you. When you've completed these steps, you may know where and how to apply.

Steps to Achievement: An Overview of the Master's Degree in Special Education

The master's degree in special education is a two- or three-year program that prepares students who may already hold a bachelor's degree with practical teaching methodologies, research skills, and practical classroom experience. Programs are designed for those with a long-term view of working in the nation's classrooms as special education curriculum developers or district administrators--or for those who want to remain at the university or other research organizations as special education scholars.

All fifty states require that special education teachers and administrators be licensed. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 creates educational assistance for schools serving 6.8 million students with disabilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a 17 percent increase in new jobs for special education teachers through 2018.

Special education teachers may focus on working with preschool, K-12 education, adolescents, and adults. You may provide individualized learning or work with small groups, performing assessments, or work directly with a specialized sector of students with learning disabilities, emotional issues, orthopedic impairment, language or speech disabilities, deafness, or blindness.

Those choosing to remain in an academic track may choose to continue their education, conduct surveys or research in teaching methodology, or publish scholarly articles on special education.

Give yourself some time in determining the appropriate master's program to reach your career goals. Begin by researching the campus-based and online master's degrees, the course requirements, prerequisites, and locations, then narrow the list as you go. You can earn a master's degree online or on campus. For a general survey of programs, visit WorldWideLearn.com's guide to Online Master's Degrees in Education. Review the extensive range of master's degrees online or degree programs by subject. For a more specific glimpse of online opportunities, visit the Online Special Education Degree Programs page.

The Complete Application Process for Master's Degree Programs in Special Education

There are more than 1,150 teacher education programs in the country, with both campus-based and online master's in education programs. However, not all of these programs offer specialized majors in special education. To help you be successful in your search, this guide offers detailed advice, helping you to first take an overview of the programs, assisting as you build an inventory of prospective schools based on your career aspirations, and then showing you how to narrow your search to a final short list of campus-based or distance graduate education programs that offer the special education curriculum for you to advance in your field.

How to Select a Master's Program in Special Education

Moving forward in your search, you may be surprised to find out more about your goals and professional orientation than before you began. As you narrow your field of prospective graduate programs in special education, you may learn more about the curriculum that best suits your career, where and when you want to attend school, and how to prepare the short list of colleges where you really want to apply for admission.

Step 1: Evaluate Special Education Offerings from a Larger List of Master's Degree Programs

Objective: Establish your must-have requirements for a graduate school education from a broad list of campus-based and online master's egree in special education programs. Use online directories, Web sites of special education career associations, and formal published guides to take your first, general pass.

Must-have requirements for your master's program in special education. Establish and stick to your absolute minimum requirements for earning the right degree--for you. You can begin to narrow your choices by evaluating your current work and family commitments as well as career objectives with the location of the best program that meets your needs. Considerations should include a review of:

Location, location, location. As you evaluate the academic and career training potential of various master's degree programs, ask yourself if you can afford to leave your current job or family to attend an on-campus program, or whether online grad schools may fit the bill.

Building Your Initial List: Available Resources

Step 2: Narrow Your List of Master's Degree Programs in Special Education

Objective: Take your first list of schools and weigh the benefits of program offerings, admissions requirements, specializations in the field, faculty members, accreditation, and courses in special education. Eliminate any that stray from your career interests.

Focus on your career goals. Do you feel called to the classroom? Do daily interactions with special needs students and helping them succeed appeal to you? Would you ultimately like to help with testing, creating special education curricula, or advising on the school or district level? Or, do you plan to continue in graduate school, conducting research, or publishing on special education and pedagogy? You may also explore other major fields in education.

Specializations in special education. Your career goals may shift over your working life. For now, you should focus on the nearest prize, a degree that may help you enter special education in the way that interests you most. Remember that both campus-based and online master's degree programs may offer degrees within the different classifications, so you should evaluate each program or contact school districts where you intend to serve, asking about degree requirements. Online master's degrees in special education may include the following nomenclature:

College and faculty. While evaluating master's in special education programs, look over the college's degree programs and list of faculty members. Are there authorities or faculty in special education that you've heard of or had recommended to you? Look over faculty credentials; they may also give you ideas.

Resources

Step 3: Discovering Your Best Options for an Online Master's Degree in Special Education

Objective: Having completed a general sweep of available programs, you should next narrow the list only to programs that meet your must-have requirements. Recognize the differences in educational focus, class delivery, and time to completion. Consider the following factors:

Resources to Help Narrow the Field

Applying to a Special Education Master's Degree Program

You may now have a solid short list of master's programs that seem to be a great fit. Your next step is to start applying, but be sure you have satisfied entry requirements for the top programs on your list and completed the necessary exams.

Your Career in Special Education

Whether you plan to serve in the classroom or by contributing to research on special education, students across the country may benefit from your expertise and training. With your help, children and adults with learning disabilities may learn to overcome their barriers to education and reach their goals.

Sources

Collapse

Pursue your Special Education degree today.

Walden University Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Learn more about programs at Walden University Online


Walden University Online

Capella University

Capella University offers online degrees in the fields of business management, health care, higher education, human resources, information technology, mental health, K-12 education, public safety and public administration, social work, and public service leadership. An accredited university, Capella delivers a challenging education to more than 30,000 students in all 50 states and 45 other countries. Capella combines outstanding academics with a supportive faculty and staff in a program designed for working adults. Learn more about our 42 PhD, PsyD, DPA, DBA, DSW, DNP, DHA, EdD, EdS, MS, MSN, MPA, MHA, MBA, MPH, BS, BPA, and BSN degree programs and 137 specializations by talking to one of our enrollment counselors at 1.888.227.3552

Learn more about programs at Capella University


Capella University

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing, and College of Liberal Arts.

Learn more about programs at Grand Canyon University


Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University - Arkansase

Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing, and College of Liberal Arts.

Learn more about programs at Grand Canyon University - Arkansas


Grand Canyon University - Alaska

Grand Canyon University - Arkansas

Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing, and College of Liberal Arts.

Learn more about programs at Grand Canyon University - Arkansas.


Grand Canyon University - Arkansas

Liberty University Online

We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.

Learn more about programs at Liberty University Online.


Liberty University Online

St. Joseph's University - Online

An education from St. Joseph's University Online can provide you with valuable, sought-after skills that will give you an edge with employers. Choose from programs in Business and Education.

Learn more about programs at St. Joseph's University - Online


St. Joseph's University - Online

Graceland University - Online

Founded in 1895, Graceland University offers affordable, accredited, and convenient degree programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of today's working professionals.

Learn more about programs at Graceland University - Online


Graceland University - Online

Arkansas State University - Online

Advance your education career with Arkansas State University. Earn your master's degree online in curriculum & instruction, educational leadership, educational theory & practice, and special education - instructional specialist.

Learn more about programs at Arkansas State University - Online


Arkansas State University - Online
 

Featured School

Search School by Subject

 
Degree / Diploma by Subject:
Program:
 

Corporate

Online Degree Resources

Education Resources

Career Resources