What Does a Teaching Career in Special Education Entail?
A career as a special education teacher entails loads of hard work, dedication, education, licensure, and a commitment to maintaining your license and developing best professional practices after completing a special education program. The first step to a career working in this field is a college education, to which students have greater access than ever with increasing online degree options, including for core courses for special education programs. Though you cannot always earn a specific special education degree, teaching students can earn their degree and then gain a special education endorsement that can let them teach students with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, those who require assistive technology, and those with other moderate and severe disabilities. You can start out with an online or on-campus associate's and work as a ParaPro helping special education teachers with their classes or you could dive directly into one of several special education degree programs (a traditional or online bachelor's in special education takes four years to complete) and receive your teacher's license shortly after graduation, giving you options for teaching students in your own class. Both public and private schools offer these positions to special education teachers with the right special education degree.
If you are already teaching, but wish to transition over to a special education classroom, such as in early childhood special education, you could attain a certificate or even an online master's specializing in the special education field. Online courses are common even in special education programs and you can learn more about classroom management, special education law, moderate and severe disabilities, and how to teach children with intellectual disabilities and learning disabilities.
Top 15 Best Online Associate in Special Education Programs
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Score: 82.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,000
- Out-of-State: $25,000
- Net Price: $17,776
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 5,544
- Undergrad Students: 3,071
- Graduate Students: 2,473
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Georgia State University
Score: 79.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,478
- Out-of-State: $23,709
- Net Price: $17,589
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 36,516
- Undergrad Students: 28,924
- Graduate Students: 7,592
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
Northwest Nazarene University
Score: 73.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,370
- Out-of-State: $39,370
- Net Price: $25,674
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 1,778
- Undergrad Students: 1,140
- Graduate Students: 638
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
PennWest Clarion
Score: 71.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,388
- Out-of-State: $16,006
- Net Price: $18,527
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 12,778
- Undergrad Students: 9,404
- Graduate Students: 3,374
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Liberty University
Score: 70.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,222
- Out-of-State: $21,222
- Net Price: $29,913
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 96,709
- Undergrad Students: 48,906
- Graduate Students: 47,803
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Post University
Score: 65.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,100
- Out-of-State: $17,100
- Net Price: $18,307
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 35%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 17,034
- Undergrad Students: 14,682
- Graduate Students: 2,352
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Rasmussen University-Florida
Score: 64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,117
- Out-of-State: $15,117
- Net Price: $17,890
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 8,166
- Undergrad Students: 7,937
- Graduate Students: 229
- Grads Salary: $58,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Score: 60.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,132
- Out-of-State: $5,532
- Net Price: $3,421
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 6,141
- Undergrad Students: 6,141
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,100
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
College of Southern Nevada
Score: 59.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,110
- Out-of-State: $12,209
- Net Price: $7,685
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 17%
- Total Enrollment: 28,901
- Undergrad Students: 28,901
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Georgia Highlands College
Score: 56.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,944
- Out-of-State: $9,296
- Net Price: $6,055
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 19%
- Total Enrollment: 4,768
- Undergrad Students: 4,768
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Barton Community College
Score: 55.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,904
- Out-of-State: $4,832
- Net Price: $9,073
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 4,269
- Undergrad Students: 4,269
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,350
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Dallas College
Score: 52.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,050
- Out-of-State: $6,000
- Net Price: $2,743
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 48%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 64,156
- Undergrad Students: 64,156
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,500
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Score: 49.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,210
- Out-of-State: $13,205
- Net Price: $10,559
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 21%
- Total Enrollment: 6,242
- Undergrad Students: 6,242
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,100
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Tyler Junior College
Score: 48.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,002
- Out-of-State: $5,752
- Net Price: $10,375
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 21%
- Total Enrollment: 11,901
- Undergrad Students: 11,901
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,800
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Northampton Community College
Score: 46.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,980
- Out-of-State: $14,730
- Net Price: $10,457
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 21%
- Total Enrollment: 8,484
- Undergrad Students: 8,484
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Special Education Programs
University of Georgia
Score: 89.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,180
- Out-of-State: $30,220
- Net Price: $17,180
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 40,607
- Undergrad Students: 30,714
- Graduate Students: 9,893
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Florida-Online
Score: 88.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,876
- Out-of-State: $16,579
- Net Price: $10,791
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 5,356
- Undergrad Students: 5,356
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 54:1
Texas A&M University-College Station
Score: 88.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,099
- Out-of-State: $40,328
- Net Price: $20,375
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 74,014
- Undergrad Students: 57,512
- Graduate Students: 16,502
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Florida International University
Score: 84.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Arizona
Score: 82.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,626
- Out-of-State: $41,095
- Net Price: $17,075
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 49,403
- Undergrad Students: 38,751
- Graduate Students: 10,652
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Score: 82.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State: $21,876
- Net Price: $13,951
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 29,551
- Undergrad Students: 23,461
- Graduate Students: 6,090
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Arizona State University
Score: 81.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State: $32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Missouri-Columbia
Score: 80.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,130
- Out-of-State: $34,338
- Net Price: $19,889
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 31,304
- Undergrad Students: 23,745
- Graduate Students: 7,559
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Score: 80.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,688
- Out-of-State: $34,934
- Net Price: $22,427
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 35,653
- Undergrad Students: 27,343
- Graduate Students: 8,310
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Texas Tech University
Score: 80.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,852
- Out-of-State: $24,451
- Net Price: $17,896
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 40,378
- Undergrad Students: 32,579
- Graduate Students: 7,799
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
West Virginia University
Score: 80.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,648
- Out-of-State: $27,360
- Net Price: $12,202
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 24,741
- Undergrad Students: 19,059
- Graduate Students: 5,682
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Cincinnati
Score: 79.61
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,570
- Out-of-State: $30,582
- Net Price: $20,149
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 41,155
- Undergrad Students: 29,663
- Graduate Students: 11,492
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Kansas State University
Score: 78.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,942
- Out-of-State: $27,816
- Net Price: $18,855
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 19,722
- Undergrad Students: 15,046
- Graduate Students: 4,676
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Mary
Score: 78.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,468
- Out-of-State: $21,468
- Net Price: $18,369
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,652
- Undergrad Students: 2,506
- Graduate Students: 1,146
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
East Carolina University
Score: 77.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,361
- Out-of-State: $23,638
- Net Price: $14,410
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 27,151
- Undergrad Students: 21,688
- Graduate Students: 5,463
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of North Dakota
Score: 77.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,951
- Out-of-State: $15,570
- Net Price: $17,359
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 13,876
- Undergrad Students: 9,928
- Graduate Students: 3,948
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Score: 77.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,250
- Out-of-State: $34,250
- Net Price: $24,485
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 4,988
- Undergrad Students: 2,817
- Graduate Students: 2,171
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Drexel University
Score: 77.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,663
- Out-of-State: $60,663
- Net Price: $39,267
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 22,344
- Undergrad Students: 14,021
- Graduate Students: 8,323
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Score: 76.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,250
- Out-of-State: $17,916
- Net Price: $13,322
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 11,079
- Undergrad Students: 9,367
- Graduate Students: 1,712
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Western Governors University
Score: 76.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,300
- Out-of-State: $8,300
- Net Price: $9,207
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 156,935
- Undergrad Students: 112,807
- Graduate Students: 44,128
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 42:1
Eastern New Mexico University
Score: 76.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,863
- Out-of-State: $8,843
- Net Price: $8,702
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 5,106
- Undergrad Students: 3,833
- Graduate Students: 1,273
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Midwestern State University
Score: 75.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,310
- Out-of-State: $12,260
- Net Price: $11,361
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 5,784
- Undergrad Students: 4,818
- Graduate Students: 966
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Eastern Illinois University
Score: 75.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,403
- Out-of-State: $15,879
- Net Price: $13,380
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 8,857
- Undergrad Students: 6,916
- Graduate Students: 1,941
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Northern Arizona University
Score: 75.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,652
- Out-of-State: $28,900
- Net Price: $17,115
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 28,086
- Undergrad Students: 23,204
- Graduate Students: 4,882
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Biola University
Score: 75.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,704
- Out-of-State: $46,704
- Net Price: $31,522
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 5,387
- Undergrad Students: 3,499
- Graduate Students: 1,888
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Special Education Programs
University of Washington
Score: 88.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State: $41,997
- Net Price: $10,603
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 52,319
- Undergrad Students: 36,213
- Graduate Students: 16,106
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Purdue University
Score: 86.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State: $28,794
- Net Price: $12,576
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 51,528
- Undergrad Students: 38,593
- Graduate Students: 12,935
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Northeastern University
Score: 83.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,141
- Out-of-State: $63,141
- Net Price: $35,827
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 30,013
- Undergrad Students: 16,302
- Graduate Students: 13,711
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Georgia
Score: 82.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,180
- Out-of-State: $30,220
- Net Price: $17,180
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 40,607
- Undergrad Students: 30,714
- Graduate Students: 9,893
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Texas A&M University-College Station
Score: 81.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,099
- Out-of-State: $40,328
- Net Price: $20,375
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 74,014
- Undergrad Students: 57,512
- Graduate Students: 16,502
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
California State University-Fullerton
Score: 80.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State: $18,953
- Net Price: $7,925
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 40,386
- Undergrad Students: 35,432
- Graduate Students: 4,954
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Florida-Online
Score: 79.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,876
- Out-of-State: $16,579
- Net Price: $10,791
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 5,356
- Undergrad Students: 5,356
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 54:1
Clemson University
Score: 79.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,554
- Out-of-State: $39,498
- Net Price: $24,577
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 28,466
- Undergrad Students: 22,566
- Graduate Students: 5,900
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Indiana University-Bloomington
Score: 79.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,790
- Out-of-State: $40,482
- Net Price: $16,234
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 47,005
- Undergrad Students: 35,660
- Graduate Students: 11,345
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Michigan State University
Score: 77.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,988
- Out-of-State: $43,372
- Net Price: $22,803
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 50,023
- Undergrad Students: 39,201
- Graduate Students: 10,822
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Auburn University
Score: 77.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,536
- Out-of-State: $33,944
- Net Price: $25,271
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 31,764
- Undergrad Students: 25,379
- Graduate Students: 6,385
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
George Mason University
Score: 77.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,815
- Out-of-State: $39,397
- Net Price: $18,479
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 39,049
- Undergrad Students: 27,014
- Graduate Students: 12,035
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Texas A&M International University
Score: 76.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,846
- Out-of-State: $19,382
- Net Price: $5,383
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 8,505
- Undergrad Students: 6,979
- Graduate Students: 1,526
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Florida International University
Score: 76.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Miami University-Oxford
Score: 76.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,809
- Out-of-State: $40,025
- Net Price: $23,031
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 19,107
- Undergrad Students: 16,864
- Graduate Students: 2,243
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Arizona
Score: 76.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,626
- Out-of-State: $41,095
- Net Price: $17,075
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 49,403
- Undergrad Students: 38,751
- Graduate Students: 10,652
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Regis University
Score: 76.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,980
- Out-of-State: $43,980
- Net Price: $26,377
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 4,668
- Undergrad Students: 2,398
- Graduate Students: 2,270
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
George Washington University
Score: 76.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,990
- Out-of-State: $64,990
- Net Price: $42,723
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 25,939
- Undergrad Students: 11,482
- Graduate Students: 14,457
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Webster University
Score: 75.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,730
- Out-of-State: $30,730
- Net Price: $23,069
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 6,396
- Undergrad Students: 2,197
- Graduate Students: 4,199
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Score: 75.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State: $21,876
- Net Price: $13,951
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 29,551
- Undergrad Students: 23,461
- Graduate Students: 6,090
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
University of Oklahoma-Norman
Score: 75.42
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,595
- Out-of-State: $26,665
- Net Price: $22,601
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 28,308
- Undergrad Students: 21,282
- Graduate Students: 7,026
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Arizona State University
Score: 75.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State: $32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of St. Thomas-St. Paul
Score: 75.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $52,284
- Out-of-State: $52,284
- Net Price: $30,137
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 9,025
- Undergrad Students: 5,906
- Graduate Students: 3,119
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Missouri-Columbia
Score: 74.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,130
- Out-of-State: $34,338
- Net Price: $19,889
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 31,304
- Undergrad Students: 23,745
- Graduate Students: 7,559
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Score: 74.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,688
- Out-of-State: $34,934
- Net Price: $22,427
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 35,653
- Undergrad Students: 27,343
- Graduate Students: 8,310
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
What are the Special Education Degree Requirements
To complete in-person or online programs in special education, you'll need to satisfy certain requirements. If you'd like to start your career as a ParaPro in a special education classroom, you'll need at least an associate degree in teaching or special education. For a full certificate, a Bachelor of Science or Arts is the minimum requirement, and a master's puts you over the top and at or near the peak earning potential for a public-school teacher. For each type of special education program, you'll need a certain number of credits, though some online programs allow prospective students to accelerate your learning and finish in less than the expected 2-6 years. Those who earn special education degrees may teach students in early childhood special education classrooms in public schools or private schools with specific learning disabilities or intellectual disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Future educators in special education will be in higher demand in places where there are high incidence disabilities and will be expected, in some cases, to use applied behavior analysis to not only teach students but to help diagnose issues and perform behavior management.
- Associate Degree: 60 credit hours
- Bachelor’s Degree: 120 credit hours
- Master's Degree: ~30 credit hours (special education programs vary)
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a special education bachelor's degree online?
It can take six years or longer to complete a bachelor's degree in special education online. These days, six years is the standard for students in a four-year program. That said, if you buckle down and are able to maintain a full-time course load through every term, maybe even take some summer courses, you can possibly graduate in under four years.
How much does an online Special Education bachelor’s degree cost?
A bachelor's in special education costs anywhere between $30,000 and $300,000. If you start off in a low-cost community college for your first two years and finish up in a state university, you can contain your expenses closer to $30k. However, if you attend an elite private university of school of education in an expensive metro area, your costs will rise into the six figures.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
While many schools offer a teacher-prep program, not all education programs offer a special education program. If you are devoted to working with these exceptional children, you should consider finding a program that offers the courses you need. Once your undergraduate transcript reflects work in special education, you can build on that through CEU classes and it will be easier to find admission to a master's level special education program.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
When you are researching and applying to special education programs, try to determine the attrition rates for your top picks. Attrition rates are a measure of how many first-year students not only return for sophomore year, but how many graduate in a timely fashion. Though there are many reasons why students fail to return or graduate, these numbers will give you a good idea of what to expect from your experience. Keep in mind that many students fail to complete their education due to financial reasons. Others might need to transfer for various reasons. As long as attrition rates are relatively low, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
What kind of accreditation does the program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
Your program should be fully accredited by an agency whose mission is to certify academic institutions. Note that professional colleges and universities also have accreditations, but those degrees and courses will not likely transfer to a state university, for instance.
For your Bachelor of Science in Special Education, look for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or a regional certification. Ultimately, you need to enroll in a program that is recognized by your state board of education, which will accept your qualifications for a teaching certificate/license.
Professional Special Education Organizations
NASET
National Association of Special Education Teachers
NASET is founded to support students who are training to attain degrees in Special Education. The ultimate goal is to support the special needs children whom are the primary focus of SPED. As a member, you'll have access to their weekly newsletter, continuing education opportunities, and many more resources to use in your professional development.
LDA
Learning Disabilities Association of America
LDA is an association of parents, teachers, and adults with learning disabilities who are committed to preventing learning disabilities and fostering understanding of these difficulties. LDA publishes a journal, guides, booklets, and offers countless other resources to members. Parents of LD children often join to access resources that they can share with their child's teachers.
CEC
Council for Exceptional Children
The CEC's mission is to support Special Education teachers through advocacy, best-practices, and opportunities for professional development. CEC publishes three journals that include teaching materials, current research on SPED issues, and information on including technology in your SPED classroom. They also provide CEU opportunities for working professionals.