Hakia Education

Best Master's in Autism Special Education Programs by Local Teacher Pay

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology

Published ·Last updated

Ranked by the median wage for elementary teachers in each program metro area, from BLS. The top 20 out of 20 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.

  1. 1

    University of Massachusetts Global

    Aliso Viejo, CAPublicOnline available

    • 2Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Special Education, Autism
    • Online
    About the program

    UMass Global offers a Master of Arts in Special Education with an Autism emphasis delivered fully online, pairing instructor-led coursework with required in-field fieldwork attached to each autism-emphasis course. The insistence on hands-on fieldwork inside an online format signals a program that wants theory tested against real classrooms rather than kept abstract. Its focus on evidence-based strategies for supporting students on the autism spectrum makes it a fit for educators and practitioners deepening a specialization. Graduates who want a state credential can pursue the California Added Authorization in Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is offered as a separate add-on alongside the degree. The program carries AAQEP accreditation, and its parent institution is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Together these features position it as a flexible, specialization-driven master's for working professionals. As a master's degree in autism special education, it adds to the master's-level autism special education options in California.

    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 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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

    Endicott College

    Beverly, MAPrivate nonprofit

    • 9Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Endicott College offers a Master of Education in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis, a 40-credit hybrid program that pairs autism spectrum disorder content with the principles of applied behavior analysis. Developed with international students in mind, it opens through rolling admissions across three annual start dates and waives the GRE, easing entry for candidates joining from varied backgrounds. A one-time $1,000 fee bundles subscriptions to the program's online learning tools, and the combined ASD and ABA focus points toward behaviorally grounded practice with individuals on the spectrum. The program page does not present it as a licensure pathway, so it functions as specialized professional preparation. Its structure reads as an accessible, practice-oriented option for educators and practitioners drawn to behavior-analytic work in autism. This program offers a master's degree in autism special education 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 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 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

    Cambridge College

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

    • 20Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Autism Specialist
    • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Cambridge College offers a Master of Education in Autism Specialist, a 31-credit hybrid program that blends scheduled evening and weekend remote classes over Zoom with asynchronous online coursework. Rather than formal concentrations, it builds in personalization through an independent learning project, letting candidates shape the degree toward their own professional interests. The program is expressly not a licensure pathway and does not lead to Massachusetts teacher licensure or BCBA certification, positioning it as advanced professional study for those already working with students on the spectrum. Authorized by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, it carries standard institutional standing. Prospective students should note that the program is not currently accepting new applicants and is transitioning enrolled students to Bay Path University's M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis beginning Fall 2025. It is a master's degree in autism special education at the master's level, based in Massachusetts.

    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 20 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 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

    Felician University

    Lodi, NJPrivate nonprofit

    • 15Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education: Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Felician University offers a Master of Arts in Education in Special Education concentrating in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies, a program built for those pursuing behavior-analytic credentials. Its coursework satisfies the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's requirements toward Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification, giving the 24-credit degree a clear professional destination. A 6-credit practicum spread over two semesters follows the coursework, so candidates finish classes on assessment methods and educational programming for students with autism before moving into supervised field hours. Evening and synchronous online Zoom classes make the schedule workable for people already employed in schools or clinics. An optional additional 12 credits opens second endorsements in areas such as English as a Second Language, Principal Supervision, or Teacher of Students with Disabilities, letting candidates broaden their credentials. As a master's degree in autism special education, it adds to the master's-level autism special education options in New Jersey.

    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 15 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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
  5. 5

    University of St Thomas

    Saint Paul, MNPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $79,730Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders specialization)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    The University of St. Thomas offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education with an Autism Spectrum Disorders specialization that prepares candidates for Minnesota licensure to serve learners from birth through age 21. Its layered structure meets teachers wherever they are, with an Initial Licensure track of 50 credits, an Additional Licensure route ranging from 9 to 33 credits depending on prior coursework, and an MA in Special Education for those already licensed. Disability-specific courses in social and communication interventions and autism methods sit alongside a student teaching and seminar component, keeping theory tethered to classroom practice. Coursework is delivered in face-to-face, hybrid, and hyflex formats, giving candidates real flexibility in how they attend. A standalone ASD certificate rounds out the offerings for educators who need the specialization without the full degree. As a master's degree in autism special education, it adds to the master's-level autism special education options in Minnesota.

    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 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
  6. 6

    Concordia University-Saint Paul

    Saint Paul, MNPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 13Master's/yr
    • $79,730Metro teacher pay
    • Special Education with an Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders (MA)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Concordia University, St. Paul offers a Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders, structured for teachers already established in Minnesota classrooms. Admission requires a current Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license, and the program leads to ASD licensure and endorsement in the state, marking it as a specialization step for practicing educators. A cohort model pairs weekly synchronous videoconferencing with asynchronous coursework, a rhythm that lets working teachers stay in their jobs while advancing together as a group. The sequence includes an Applied Experience in Autism Spectrum Disorders and a capstone course, tying study to hands-on practice. Candidates can pursue the full MA at 36 to 39 credits with a thesis option or a leaner 30 to 33 credit licensure track, and an endorsement-only route is available without the degree. This program offers a master's degree in autism 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 13 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
  7. 7

    Brenau University

    Gainesville, GAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 3Master's/yr
    • $64,780Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Brenau University offers an online Master of Education in Special Education with a built-in concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder, positioned as an advanced credential for teachers who are already certified. Admission assumes candidates hold a bachelor's degree in Special Education and PSC Level 4 certification in the field, so the coursework builds directly on an existing foundation rather than opening a first license. The degree spans 34 credit hours across three semesters, with six start dates a year and no admission test scores required, an accessible cadence for educators fitting study around full teaching loads. Accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation signals a vetted educator-preparation program. The design reads as a focused way for practicing special educators to add autism expertise efficiently. As a master's degree in autism special education, it adds to the master's-level autism special education options 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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Gainesville, GA, where elementary teachers earn a median $64,780, roughly $66,945 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

    Morningside University

    Sioux City, IAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 3Master's/yr
    • $62,270Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Autism Education
    • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Morningside University offers a Master of Education in Autism Education, a 32-credit, fully online and asynchronous program aimed at current general and special education teachers who want concentrated expertise in autism. Five dedicated autism-education courses carry students through theory and practice, inclusive settings, intensive-needs instruction, and assessment, giving the degree a clearly defined subject core. The asynchronous format and a completion window of as little as 18 months make it a practical fit for teachers studying alongside full schedules, and an action-research capstone ties the work back to their own classrooms. Aligned with Iowa Department of Education standards but not marketed as an initial licensure pathway, it serves as advanced preparation rather than an entry credential. Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it reads as a specialization for practicing educators. This program offers a master's degree in autism special education in Iowa.

    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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Sioux City, IA-NE-SD, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,270, roughly $72,027 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

    University of South Florida

    Tampa, FLPublic

    • 3Master's/yr
    • $60,120Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Exceptional Student Education
    • Online
    About the program

    The University of South Florida offers a Master of Arts in Exceptional Student Education, a fully online, 30-credit degree aimed at educators who are already certified and want to sharpen their work with students who have disabilities. Organized as a five-term structured sequence, the program pairs two practicum experiences with an action-research project, keeping graduate study anchored in the candidate's own classroom. An elective specialization in Varying Exceptionalities lets teachers concentrate on emotional and behavioral disorders or learning disabilities, and a separate online Autism Spectrum Disorder graduate certificate is available for those pursuing that focus. Because it does not result in initial teacher certification, the degree functions as advanced professional development rather than an entry credential. It reads as a practice-focused option for currently practicing Florida educators. This program offers a master's degree in autism special education in Florida.

    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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,120, roughly $59,590 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
  10. 10

    Grand Canyon University

    Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitOnline available

    • 147Master's/yr
    • $59,180Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders, a fully online, 32-credit program designed for teachers who already hold special education licensure and want advanced expertise in serving students on the spectrum. A single unified ASD curriculum unfolds through sequential, prerequisite-linked courses delivered in six-week terms, a rhythm that lets working educators study alongside their classrooms. More than 100 practicum hours, with a minimum of ten per course, keep the coursework tied to real students, and an action-research capstone culminates in an electronic portfolio. This is expressly a non-licensure advanced program, deepening practice rather than opening a first credential. Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it reads as a specialization pathway for practicing special educators. This program offers a master's degree in autism special education in Arizona.

    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 147 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 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
  11. 11

    Spring Arbor University

    Spring Arbor, MIPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 5Master's/yr
    • Master of Special Education (MSE)
    • Online
    About the program

    Spring Arbor University offers a fully online Master of Special Education designed around the schedules of working professionals. The program speaks most directly to certified teachers seeking the certification or endorsement they need to work with students with disabilities, framing the degree as a practical extension of an existing career. Candidates who come in without a teaching certificate can still complete the master's, though they earn the degree without the accompanying endorsement, a distinction the program states plainly. Delivered entirely at a distance, the coursework lets educators study without stepping away from their classrooms. The result is a flexible, endorsement-oriented path for teachers deepening their expertise in special education. As a master's degree in autism special education, it adds to the master's-level autism special education options in Michigan.

    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.

    School site
  12. 12

    Lindenwood University

    Saint Charles, MOPrivate nonprofit

    • 8Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Education, Early Intervention in Autism & Sensory Impairments
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Lindenwood University offers a Master of Arts in Education with a specialty track in Early Intervention in Autism and Sensory Impairments, one of several focus areas under its Education MA alongside Instructional Technology, Gifted Education, and Literacy Specialist K-12. The track centers on training educators to partner with the parents and caregivers of young children who have autism or sensory impairment needs, a family-focused orientation that sets it apart from classroom licensure programs. It does not lead to teacher certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and instead serves already-certified teachers and related school personnel such as counselors, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists. The broader Education MA is offered both in person at St. Louis-area locations and online, giving working professionals options for how they enroll. The design reads as continuing, specialized study for practitioners rounding out their expertise in early childhood support. This program offers a master's degree in autism special education in Missouri.

    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 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  13. 13

    Madonna University

    Livonia, MIPrivate nonprofit

    • 6Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Madonna University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders, a program that builds on credentials educators already hold. Admission asks for a valid teaching certificate and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, positioning the degree as an advanced step for teachers who want to specialize rather than a first route into the classroom. The curriculum runs a minimum of 41 credit hours and embeds supervised practicum placements in local schools and agencies, keeping the work grounded in real settings with learners on the spectrum. That practicum emphasis prepares graduates for roles such as special education teacher and autism specialist. A related Graduate Certificate in Effective Inclusionary Practices extends the same focus for those seeking a shorter credential. It is a master's degree in autism special education at the master's level, based in Michigan.

    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 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  14. 14

    Saint Elizabeth University

    Morristown, NJPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 3Master's/yr
    • M.A. in Education with an Emphasis in Special Education
    About the program

    Saint Elizabeth University lists a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Special Education, an offering that aligns with the university's Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification track. Its education department holds AAQEP accreditation through December 31, 2030, a mark of external review over the unit's preparation programs. The general M.A. in Education is currently listed as closed to new admissions, though the special education emphasis remains in the catalog. Prospective students would need to confirm current availability directly with the university. It is a master's degree in autism special education at the master's level, based in New Jersey.

    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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  15. 15

    Mercyhurst University

    Erie, PAPrivate nonprofit

    • 2Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Special Education and Applied Disability Studies (Autism concentration)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Mercyhurst University offers a Master of Science in Special Education and Applied Disability Studies with an Autism concentration that qualifies holders of any Pennsylvania Level I or Level II certificate to add a state Autism Endorsement. As the first program in northwestern Pennsylvania approved by the state to offer that endorsement, it carries a distinct regional standing, and associated clinical hours keep the study connected to work with learners on the spectrum. The degree sits within a broader menu of concentrations, including Applied Behavior Analysis, which prepares candidates for BCBA and BCABA certification, English Language Learners, and Special Education PreK-12, letting educators align the master's with their goals. The Autism concentration is also available as a standalone graduate certificate for those seeking the endorsement without the full degree. Coursework is delivered primarily on campus with a limited set of online courses. This program offers a master's degree in autism special education in Pennsylvania.

    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 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  16. 16

    Trinity Christian College

    Palos Heights, ILPrivate nonprofit

    • 3Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Special Education (Learning Behavior Specialist I)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Trinity Christian College offers a Master of Arts in Special Education leading to the Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement, a cohort-based program built for licensed Illinois teachers ready to move into special education roles. The single LBS I track covers autism content within its coursework rather than as a separate concentration, and the 1.5-year schedule of once-weekly evening classes in Palos Heights keeps the program compatible with a full-time teaching job. Cohort progression and multiple start terms reinforce its orientation toward working educators advancing together. Admission requires a current Illinois Professional Educator License, and completion adds the LBS I Grade Range Endorsement. Prospective students should note that the college has announced it will close at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. This program offers a master's degree in autism special education 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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  17. 17

    Eastern Michigan University

    Ypsilanti, MIPublic

    • 1Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • Online
    About the program

    Eastern Michigan University offers a Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders, a fully online, 39-credit-hour degree designed for professionals across disciplines who work with individuals on the spectrum. A single ASD-focused curriculum keeps the program tightly organized around its subject, and a supervised practicum experience grounds the coursework in direct work with students. Pay-by-the-course tuition and multiple start dates each year give working professionals flexibility in pacing and budgeting the degree. Admission requires a valid Michigan teacher certification, yet the degree itself does not lead to a teaching endorsement, marking it as advanced expertise rather than a new credential. Accredited through the College of Education by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approved by the Michigan Department of Education, it reads as a specialization for already-credentialed educators. As a master's degree in autism special education, it adds to the master's-level autism special education options in Michigan.

    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.

    School site
  18. 18

    Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus

    Gurabo, PRPrivate nonprofit

    • 3Master's/yr
    • Educación Especial con especialidad en Autismo o en Educación Especial K-12 (Master's in Special Education with specialty in Autism or K-12 Special Education)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Universidad Ana G. Méndez at Gurabo offers a Maestría (M.A.) in Educación Especial con especialidad en Autismo o en Educación Especial K-12, a Spanish-language master's that lets candidates choose between an autism specialization and a broader K-12 special education track within the same degree. The two-path structure reads as a way to serve teachers with different classroom realities, whether they concentrate on students on the autism spectrum or across the full K-12 range of exceptionalities. Delivered on campus, the program frames its graduates for leadership roles as special education teachers, supervisors, or consultants, positioning it as advanced preparation rather than a first entry into the field. That leadership orientation suggests a cohort of practicing educators looking to move into specialized or supervisory work. Candidates confirm the specific state licensure pathway directly with the program. It is a master's degree in autism special education at the master's level, based in Puerto Rico.

    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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  19. 19

    La Salle University

    Philadelphia, PAPrivate nonprofit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Education with Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    La Salle University offers a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders that leads to Pennsylvania state certification and endorsement in the area for already-certified teachers. The 30-credit design pairs six core courses with four electives and folds in embedded field and clinical teaching experiences, keeping the specialization tied to practice with students on the spectrum. Courses run in eight-week hybrid or online terms across fall, spring, summer, and a winter intersession, a compressed and year-round calendar that fits teachers fitting graduate study around full-time work. For educators who need the specialization without the full degree, La Salle also offers the Autism Spectrum Disorders content as a standalone 12-credit endorsement or certification-only option. Together these routes make the program a focused, credential-building path for practicing teachers. It is a master's degree in autism 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.

    School site
  20. 20

    Northeastern State University

    Tahlequah, OKPublicOnline available

    • 13Master's/yr
    • Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Master of Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Northeastern State University offers a Master of Education in Special Education with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders, organizing its coursework into Professional Education, Special Education, and Enrichment components. The program is transparent that its courses do not, on their own, represent all requirements for a Special Education teaching certificate, directing candidates to the university's Teacher Certification office for the remaining steps, so it reads as a specialization layered onto an existing teaching career. A culminating capstone experience anchors the degree, and an embedded graduate certificate option lets students capture a shorter credential along the way. Flexible delivery lets candidates study in person at the Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses, in a blended format, or fully online. The program has drawn recognition as a best-value teacher-preparation master's, underscoring its appeal to budget-minded educators. It is a master's degree in autism special education at the master's level, based in Oklahoma.

    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 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site

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