2023 Best Online Degrees in Special Education

Special education degrees are widely available online and are viable ways to reach your career goals as a special ed teacher.

One of the main reasons that online schools are just as respected as their on-campus counterparts is that they're also accredited. This is an important aspect of your school to consider before you send in your admissions application.

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is the main accreditation organization for teaching programs nationwide. All of OnlineU's recommended programs come from accredited schools. It's also smart to ensure your program of choice meets all the criteria for your teacher's license or at least that it's designed as a track toward a teaching license.

As briefly mentioned above, education degrees online take approximately four years to complete on a full-time schedule. They usually require 120 credit hours spread out over two semesters each year. Some programs may offer summer semesters, which allow you to accelerate your studies and complete the degree in a shorter span of time. The benefit of an online degree is that you can often take courses on your own time, allowing you to simultaneously maintain a job and family responsibilities.

If you're pursuing special education degree programs you're likely interested in a career as a special education teacher. The majority of students in these programs go on to work in varying grade levels, from kindergarten up to high school. While this is the primary position most graduates seek, there are other roles that utilize similar skill sets and can still be centered around special needs children.

When looking at the job opportunities below, it's important to note that the only job listed that requires a bachelor's degree is the "Special Education Teachers" role — which most students are shooting for. For the rest of the positions, employers mostly require a bachelor's degree, but it's also possible to get your foot in the door without one. Let's take a look at these possible career outcomes:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all special needs teachers will see average, steady job growth through the decade. Specifically, the BLS expects the role to grow by 4% into 2031. This falls close to the expected growth of all occupations across the United States. Meanwhile, preschool special ed teachers are projected to grow at the fastest rate amongst all grade levels at 8%.

In order to become a special ed teacher, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in special education. You'll also need to obtain a teacher's license in the state you plan to work in. To make things easier, it's best to pursue a degree program that contains a track for a teacher's license. This way you'll meet all the necessary requirements to apply for your license.

These programs will require you to complete a student-teaching practicum — another necessity for licensure. You may also meet the necessary qualifications by earning your bachelor's degree in similar subjects, such as elementary education or early childhood education.

Teaching certifications and licenses are generally regarded as interchangeable terms. Special education graduates must earn their teacher's license in order to become a certified teacher. The most important step is to check with your individual state in order to see how they designate these terms in regards to working as a special education teacher. Each state has different methods for determining an individual's qualifications for licensure.

Another important clarification is that education degree graduates can earn an online special education certification, which provides them with specialized training in special ed. This comes in addition to their education degree, which may not have contained a sped concentration.

The BLS shows that California is the state with the highest employment of special education teachers in the country. As of May 2021, there were 8,730 sped teachers working in the Golden State. They also had the highest wages when compared to the other 49 states. During the same month in 2021, California sped teachers earned $73,570 annually. The next highest states were Florida ($68,860) and Texas ($60,290).

Earning a degree in special education requires a great deal of patience and flexibility. You'll need to understand several complex and nuanced disorders while developing learning programs that fit your future students' unique needs. Thriving professionals in the world of sped tend to be advocates for students with disabilities and dedicated to ending ableist points of view from society at large. This helps them maintain their resilience during difficult moments with severely disabled students. If you're truly dedicated to helping those with special needs, you can find a fulfilling career as a special needs educator.