Online Special Education Degrees & Programs

Special Education Degree Programs by Distance Learning

Online special education degrees and programs equip graduates to perform a valuable service for the community while making a lucrative living.

If you have a heart for challenged children or adults, and would like to help these unique individuals achieve their academic goals, then online courses in special education would be right for you.

Special learners include physically, emotionally, and mentally challenged students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to succeed in school. Your pursuit of a special education degree can lead to a satisfying career that will touch the lives of others and make a true, lasting difference.

Special education degrees are popularly available at the masters degree in special education level.

What is a Special Education Teacher?

A special education teacher works with students who have special needs, from emotional and social behaviors, to physical and health disabilities. On some level, a special needs learner will have one or a variety of disabilities which may include academic, physical, mental, emotional, or speech and language challenges.

Special education teachers are trained to help students with several of the following therapies: speech therapy, adaptive PE, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, vocational training, self-help assistance, and special transportation, among others. As a special education teacher, you will be responsible for guiding these students through their daily work, which may include some of the most basic activities, like personal hygiene. Working with a team of educators, you will create an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for each student, in order to modify the expectations and dynamics of regular classroom work to best suit this or her needs.

Schools and Colleges that offer Online Special Education Degree Programs

Walden University offers the following online special education degree program:

• Ph.D. in Education - Special Education

Walden University offers the following online special education degrees for teacher preparation:

• Special Education, Emotional Behavioral Disorders (K-12)
• Special Education, Learning Disabilities (K-12)

University of Phoenix is the largest online school, with over 100,000 students, and is accredited by North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), among other specialized accrediting bodies. UOP offers a rolling schedule with classes starting once a week. They also offer financial aid programs. UOP takes pride in presenting instructors and professionals who hold masters and doctoral degrees, themselves. UOP offers the following online masters degree in special education program:

• M.A.Ed./Special Education

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and offers the following online master of special education degree:

• Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education

Capella University offers the following online special education degree program:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education - Special Education Leadership

Requirements of Special Education Teachers

An online degree in special education will prepare you to take on the challenges associated with teaching in this field. A bachelor's degree and teaching certificate are typically required. However, with the need for more special education teachers rising, many schools are hiring teachers on waiver. Presently, online special education degrees and programs are offered only at the master's and PhD in special education level.

Many states require a master's degree in special education, involving at least one year of additional course work, including specialization in such fields as learning disabilities and behavioral disorders.

Online course work for special education teachers may include an introduction to special education and its environment, an introduction to specialized theories and research, methods of identifying needs, and applications for successful learning.

The Future of Teaching in Special Education

Special education frequently experiences teacher shortage. Many more students are being appropriately diagnosed with special needs and require the attention of qualified special education teachers. According to the 2008 Occupational Outlook Handbook, special education teachers make an average annual salary of $46,000 with the lower end earning around $31,320 and the higher end earning around $73,620. Salaries can vary from state to state with private school teachers generally making less than public school teachers. In 2006, there were approximately 459,000 special education teachers employed in the United States. This number is projected to rise by 71,000, or 15%, by the year 2016.

If you are motivated to help people learn, and you desire the additional challenge of teaching students with special needs, then join the ranks of those who are successfully pursuing online special education degrees and work your way toward a well-paying and rewarding career.

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