8 Best Colleges for online master Degree in special education

By abhi Last updated Nov 15, 2022

Online master degree in special education – Many students pursuing an online master’s degree are already licensed teachers who work with children with special needs.

Pursuing a master’s degree online provides significant flexibility by allowing students to complete coursework after work hours and on weekends.

Many traditional classroom-based programs offer courses during working hours, which may necessitate students taking several years off work to complete a degree.

An online program enables students to pursue a degree while balancing work and family responsibilities, allowing individuals to achieve their educational goals in situations where attending a master’s program in special education would be prohibitively expensive.

1 Texas A&M University – Master in Special Education Program

Texas A&M University has an online MEd or MS in Special Education program.

This graduate program is unique because it offers two distinct degrees, which most universities that offer a Master’s degree in Special Education cannot match.

The MEd and MS degrees are very different despite being in the same field. The length, structure, and specific focus of the two-degree programs differ.

The MEd degree is designed for people who want to teach after earning their Master’s degree. This degree, as you might expect, includes more practical experience. Many students who pursue an MS degree go on to teach special education students.

2 Purdue University – Online master’s degree in special education

Purdue University offers an MSEd in Special Education that is entirely online. The MSEd (Master of Science in Education) program is unique because full-time graduate students can complete it in only 20 months.

It is much faster than most Master’s degree programs, including online programs. In addition, it can be completed online as an online special education Master’s degree program, just like other online special education Master’s degree programs.

Purdue’s MSEd program can even include obtaining a special education license.

3 The University of Florida – offers an online Master of Education degree

The University of Florida offers an online Master of Education degree mainly focusing on Special Education. This program is intended for current special education teachers.

It sets it apart from the majority of the other programs on this list, which are geared toward other types of teachers or working professionals in entirely different fields.

Another feature of the UF program that distinguishes it from similar graduate special education programs is the variety of degree tracks available.

Most students seeking an online special education master’s degree must settle for the single track offered by most online special education master’s degree programs.

Autism, Dyslexia, and other degree tracks are available in the MEd program.

4 North Carolina State University – MAT in Special Education program

North Carolina State University offers a MAT in Special Education program that is unique among similar degree programs.

Instead of the usual Master of Science degrees found in most graduate programs in special education, MAT is a Master of Arts degree.

Another feature that distinguishes the NC State program is the requirement for a teaching license as part of the program.

Some online special education master’s degree programs include licensure, while others only offer an online special education master’s degree.

5 George Mason University – online master’s degree in special education

George Mason University offers a unique MEd in Special Education program entirely online. This program is distinctive in providing Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis tracks.

While graduate programs in special education with an autism focus are fairly common, few such programs have an Applied Behavior Analysis focus.

Therefore, prospective students interested in pursuing an online master’s degree in special education with a focus on this area should include GMU on their list of online special education master’s degree programs to which they are considering applying.

6 Michigan State University – online MA degree in special education

Michigan State University offers an entirely online MA in Special Education program with specializations in Learning Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The substantial amount of practical experience that this program incorporates is one of its distinguishing features. MSU will assist graduate students in locating schools that will allow them to complete the practical experience required for the degree.

Prospective students who want to pursue an online special education master’s degree while gaining valuable experience should add Michigan State University to their list of online special education master’s degree programs.

7 The University of Nebraska – graduate in special education programs

In their graduate special education programs, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln offers online MA or MEd in Special Education degrees.

These programs are unique because they specialize in the education of hearing and visually impaired students.

Most online special education master’s degree programs only provide specializations in learning and behavioral challenges, but UNL’s online special education master’s degree program is unique.

8 Texas Tech University – online master degree in special education

The University of Washington offers an online MEd in Special Education with an Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization.

This program is unique in focusing solely on training behavior analysis professionals rather than special education teachers.

Prospective students seeking an online special education master’s degree to pursue a career in this field should consider adding UW to their short list of online special education master’s degree programs.