Hakia Education

Best Master's in Administration of Special Education Programs by Degrees Awarded

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology

Published ·Last updated

Ranked by the number of master's degrees awarded each year, the most established programs. The top 9 out of 9 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.

  1. 1

    Georgia Southern University

    Statesboro, GAPublicOnline available

    • 60Master's/yr
    • $72,290State teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Georgia Southern University offers a fully online Master of Education in Special Education that requires an existing Georgia Level 4 special education certificate to enroll, marking it as an advanced program for teachers already in the field. Delivered asynchronously with video-based group work, the 36 credit-hour degree offers flexible pacing that allows completion in one to two years around a working schedule. Two concentrations let candidates align with their students: an Adaptive Curriculum track for moderate to severe disabilities, with an autism endorsement coursework option, and a General Curriculum track for mild disabilities, with autism or reading endorsement options. NCATE-accredited and aligned with CAEP advanced standards along with NBPTS, CEC, and InTASC frameworks, the program leads to a Georgia certificate upgrade to Level 5. Graduates are also qualified to supervise student teachers or move into administrative roles. It is a master's degree in administration of special education at the master's level, based in Georgia.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 60 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Georgia statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $72,290, roughly $75,073 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
  2. 2

    Walden University

    Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitOnline available

    • 23Master's/yr
    • $79,730Metro teacher pay
    • MS in Education - Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K-12) specialization
    • Online
    About the program

    Walden University offers an online MS in Education with a Special Education (Non-Licensure) specialization for grades K-12, framed for experienced special educators who want to sharpen their leadership in supporting students with exceptionalities rather than earn a new credential. The specialization does not lead to a teaching credential or administrative license, and an Accelerated option is available for faster, lower-cost completion. Educators seeking a licensure path are instead directed to Walden's separate Educational Leadership and Administration specialization for principal licensure preparation. This program offers a master's degree in administration of special education in Minnesota.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 23 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,730, roughly $76,062 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
  3. 3

    Concordia University-Chicago

    River Forest, ILPrivate nonprofit

    • 10Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Special Education Leadership
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Concordia University Chicago offers a Master of Arts in Special Education Leadership that requires prior experience as a special education teacher, speech-language pathologist, school social worker, or school psychologist, signaling a program built for practitioners stepping into leadership. Available online or on campus, the 30 credit-hour degree runs on a 24-month timeline and culminates in two practicum and seminar courses rather than a thesis, keeping the work anchored in applied leadership. The ISBE-approved coursework may lead to the Illinois Director of Special Education endorsement when added to an existing General Administrative Certificate or Principal endorsement, with the state director content-area test and a basic skills test required. A single, focused curriculum keeps every candidate on the path toward special education administration. The design fits experienced service providers ready to lead district special education programs. As a master's degree in administration of special education, it adds to the master's-level administration of special education options in Illinois.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
  4. 4

    The College of Saint Scholastica

    Duluth, MNPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 7Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    The College of St. Scholastica offers an online Master of Science in Special Education that is fundamentally a teacher-licensure degree rather than an administrator credential, leading to the Minnesota Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) K-12 teaching license. Its curriculum spans five disability areas, learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, developmental cognitive disabilities, other health disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders, giving candidates a broad preparation to serve students across categories. A cohort model paired with a dedicated advisor who stays with students throughout the program signals close support for teachers balancing coursework with practice. The required 150 practicum hours are spread across K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 bands, ensuring graduates gain classroom experience at every grade level they may serve. Approved by AAQEP and holding Minnesota PELSB unit approval, the program prepares licensed strategists to support learners with disabilities across the K-12 span. It is a master's degree in administration of special education at the master's level, based in Minnesota.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  5. 5

    Columbus State University

    Columbus, GAPublicOnline available

    • 5Master's/yr
    • $61,360Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Columbus State University offers a fully online Master of Education in Special Education that requires an existing teaching certificate, positioning it as a credential advancement for practicing special educators. The 30 credit-hour design divides into a professional core, an area core, and a concentration, letting candidates specialize in General Curriculum, Autism, or Dyslexia and Reading. Each concentration carries its own payoff: a Georgia T-5 certification upgrade for all completers, plus eligibility for a Georgia autism add-on endorsement or dyslexia and reading endorsements depending on the track. Applied Behavior Analysis coursework anchors the study in evidence-based practice. A seven-year completion window with a 75% in-residence requirement gives working teachers room to finish at a manageable pace. It is a master's degree in administration of special education at the master's level, based in Georgia.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Columbus, GA-AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,360, roughly $68,715 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
  6. 6

    Bay Path University

    Longmeadow, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 2Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Administrator in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Bay Path University offers a fully online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Administrator in Special Education built for experienced special educators stepping up into leadership. Because applicants must already hold an initial special education license and three years of experience, the program reads as a next credential rather than an entry point, and its licensure track leads to the Massachusetts DESE Initial License in Special Education Administrator while a non-licensure track serves those who want the leadership coursework without the endorsement. Students can combine the degree with an EdS and can join cohorts in high-interest areas, which lends structure to an otherwise flexible format that offers rolling January, May, and September starts. The absence of a GRE or GMAT requirement lowers the barrier for working professionals returning to graduate study. Accredited through NECHE, the program aims to move seasoned classroom practitioners into administrative roles overseeing special education services. As a master's degree in administration of special education, it adds to the master's-level administration of special education options in Massachusetts.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  7. 7

    George Washington University

    Washington, DCPrivate nonprofit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $79,470Metro teacher pay
    • Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Special Education Leadership
    • On-campus
    About the program

    George Washington University offers an Education Specialist in Special Education Leadership, a post-master's credential that requires an existing master's degree and at least one year of education experience to enter, marking it as an advanced step for seasoned educators moving into administration. Delivered online through synchronous and asynchronous work, the 30-credit sequence unfolds in two phases: an 18-credit Post-Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration followed by a 12-credit special education add-on. Two curriculum tracks accommodate students who arrive with a special education background and those who do not. The embedded leadership component is DC-approved, nationally recognized, and CAEP accredited, and the coursework supports application for a PreK-12 state educational administrator license, though it does not itself confer special education teaching licensure. Because GWU offers no standalone entry-level master's in this space, this Ed.S. sequence is its distinct pathway for special-education administrators. It is a master's degree in administration of special education at the master's level, based in Washington, D.C..

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,470, roughly $72,986 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
  8. 8

    Marywood University

    Scranton, PAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $76,590Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Special Education Administration and Supervision
    About the program

    Marywood University offers a Master of Science in Special Education Administration and Supervision that deliberately bridges general school leadership with the distinct demands of running special education programs. Coursework is shared with the university's School Leadership and Principal program, integrating broad administrative knowledge with the specialized legal and instructional challenges that special education supervisors face. A required Practicum in Special Education Supervision anchors the degree in real field experience, and individual program advisors along with available graduate assistantships suggest a hands-on, mentored path for aspiring leaders. Graduates who pass the Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision test and complete five years of professional experience in special education can pursue Pennsylvania PK-12 Special Education Supervisor certification. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the program is built for educators moving from the classroom into supervisory and administrative roles. It is a master's degree in administration of special education at the master's level, based in Pennsylvania.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,590, roughly $81,865 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
  9. 9

    Alverno College

    Milwaukee, WIPrivate nonprofit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $61,480Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Alverno College offers an on-campus Master of Arts in Education preparing candidates to become a Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, a role at the top of a district's student-support leadership. The 43-credit program builds on Alverno's administrative leadership sequence and adds targeted coursework in special education and pupil services law and leadership frameworks, positioning graduates to manage both the legal and the human dimensions of the role. Two practicum courses and a field internship with a practicing director give students supervised experience in the actual work, while Alverno's signature portfolio-based assessment documents their growth. Completion leads to dual Wisconsin DPI licensure as both Principal (DPI #51) and Director of Pupil Services and Special Education (DPI #80). The dual-credential design reads as built for experienced educators aiming squarely at district-level administrative careers. This program offers a master's degree in administration of special education in Wisconsin.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,480, roughly $63,423 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site

← Back to the overall Best Master's in Administration of Special Education