Hakia Education

Best Master's in 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 25 out of 37 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.

  1. 1

    California State University-Northridge

    Northridge, CAPublicOnline available

    • 18Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Special Education, M.A.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    California State University, Northridge offers a Master of Arts in Special Education built as an advanced degree rather than a first credential, designed for educators who already hold or are earning a preliminary specialist credential. The program lets candidates specialize deeply, with concentrations in Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Early Childhood Special Education, Educational Therapy, Mild/Moderate Disabilities, and Moderate/Severe Disabilities, so students can align the degree with the population they serve. It requires a minimum of 30 units and a culminating experience, and it builds on the university's Preliminary and Teacher Induction Education Specialist credential work rather than standing alone as a licensure path. That framing points toward graduates preparing for leadership, advocacy, and scholarship roles in special education beyond the classroom credential. The concentration structure and culminating project mark it as a program for practitioners deepening their expertise. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options in California.

    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 18 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

    Hofstra University

    Hempstead, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 5Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Special Education
    About the program

    Hofstra University offers a Master of Science in Education in Special Education that leans heavily on time in real classrooms, requiring at least 100 clock hours of fieldwork before candidates reach student teaching. The program lets students focus where they intend to work, with an Early Childhood Special Education track spanning birth to grade 2, an Inclusive Secondary Special Education track, and a separate Applied Behavior Analysis pathway for those drawn to behavioral practice. Its curriculum deliberately moves across several theoretical frameworks, from diagnostic-prescriptive and behavioral to neuropsychological, social constructivist, and inclusive models, giving future teachers more than one lens for understanding learners. That breadth reads as preparation for the varied realities of special education rather than a single method. Graduates are positioned for New York State Initial certification, including dual and generalist configurations depending on the track. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in New York.

    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 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
  3. 3

    Pace University

    New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 12Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Special Education (All Grades)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Pace University's Master of Science in Education in Special Education, All Grades, was designed for teachers who already held a New York provisional or initial certificate in childhood or adolescent education and wanted to add certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities. The on-campus curriculum organized learning into three interrelated strands connecting theory, technique, and practice in instruction and assessment, and historically anchored the degree with a full-time one-semester classroom practicum and a teacher-as-researcher action research course. Prospective students should note that the program was formally discontinued effective Fall 2026 and no longer accepts new applicants, with enrolled students finishing under a teach-out plan. For those already in the program, it leads to New York State initial or professional certification. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in New York.

    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 12 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
  4. 4

    Molloy University

    Rockville Centre, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 33Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Teaching Students with Disabilities, All Grades
    • AAQEP-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Molloy University offers a Master of Science in Teaching Students with Disabilities, All Grades, structured around New York's consolidated PreK-12 special education certification that replaced the older separate 1-6 and 7-12 credentials. The program accommodates two kinds of candidates, an online professional certification track for teachers already certified in another area and hybrid dual-initial tracks that pair Students with Disabilities with childhood or adolescent subject certification. Fieldwork is a defining feature, unfolding across three supervised phases alongside project-based group work and community outreach, which signals a program grounded in practice and partnership rather than coursework alone. Its participation in a Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant, providing free social-emotional and literacy enrichment to partner schools, extends that community orientation into local classrooms. AAQEP accreditation supports the credential's standing across both initial and professional pathways. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options in New York.

    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 33 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

    Manhattanville University

    Purchase, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 3Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Professional Studies in Special Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Manhattanville University offers a Master of Professional Studies in Special Education, a NYSED-approved program that fans out into several certification configurations so candidates can align their study with the grade level and subject they plan to teach. Options range from Early Childhood and Childhood dual certification to a Special Education Grades 7-12 generalist track and subject-area pairings in English, math, science, and social studies, and the school also offers a separate MAT for those entering without prior certification. The MPS tracks assume an existing New York teaching license, which frames the degree as a way for working teachers to add Students with Disabilities credentials. Delivered in a hybrid format with a fall start, it takes roughly one and a half to two years. Coursework centers on practical skills like IEP and IFSP development, assistive technology, and instruction in the least restrictive environment. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in New York.

    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 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
  6. 6

    Rhode Island College

    Providence, RIPublic

    • 19Master's/yr
    • $86,720Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Rhode Island College offers a Master of Education in Special Education, a hybrid program state-approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education that leads to Rhode Island teacher licensure in a candidate's chosen concentration. The intensive one-year design, combining synchronous and asynchronous coursework, signals a program meant to move committed candidates into or deeper within the field quickly. Five concentrations, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary or Secondary Special Education, Exceptional Learning Needs, Severe Intellectual Disabilities, and Urban Multicultural Special Education, let students target a specific population, with licensure eligibility varying by track and prior certification. The Urban Multicultural option stands out by bundling a multilingual learner endorsement and ESL certification into the M.Ed., reflecting a commitment to city classrooms. With 89% of faculty holding terminal degrees, the program pairs academic depth with a practical, fast-paced route to licensure. This program offers a master's degree in special education in Rhode Island.

    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 19 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, where elementary teachers earn a median $86,720, roughly $85,209 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

    University of Saint Joseph

    West Hartford, CTPrivate nonprofit

    • 7Master's/yr
    • $79,800Metro teacher pay
    • Special Education, M.A.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    University of Saint Joseph offers a Master of Arts in Special Education aimed at licensed teachers and other professionals who want to strengthen their work with K-12 students with disabilities. The program's scheduling tells its story, with courses on campus and at off-campus locations around Connecticut that typically begin at or after 4 p.m. and offer full- or part-time enrollment, all of which points to working educators studying around the school day. Candidates can extend the degree with related graduate certificates in Autism and Neurodiverse Learners or in Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities, letting them build focused expertise alongside the master's. The emphasis on practicing professionals and evening delivery marks it as a flexible, career-embedded program for teachers already in classrooms. This program offers a master's degree in special education in Connecticut.

    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 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,800, roughly $77,667 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

    University of St Thomas

    Saint Paul, MNPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 101Master's/yr
    • $79,730Metro teacher pay
    • MA in Teaching Special Education (Initial Licensure)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    The University of St. Thomas offers an MA in Teaching Special Education that leads to initial Minnesota teaching licensure alongside the master's degree. Candidates choose from five license areas, including Academic Behavioral Strategists, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, and Emotional Behavioral Disorders, with the age and grade range shifting to match the concentration. The program is delivered flexibly across face-to-face, hybrid, and hyflex formats, accommodating candidates with differing schedules and locations. Paid student-teaching placements arranged through partnerships with Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools give candidates supervised, compensated classroom experience as they train. The pairing of initial licensure with clinical placements marks this as a program built to launch new special education teachers into Minnesota classrooms. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based 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 101 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
  9. 9

    Neumann University

    Aston, PAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 14Master's/yr
    • $78,570Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education (Special Education, PK-12 track within the MSEd)
    • Online
    About the program

    Neumann University offers a Master of Science in Education with a Special Education PK-12 track, an online degree approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program is unusually modular, spanning certification-track options in Special Education, Dual Certification pairing Early Elementary PK-4 with Special Education PK-12, and Principal certification, alongside non-certification concentrations in Teaching and Learning, Social Emotional Learning, and Autism. Certification pathways lead to Pennsylvania licensure only and do not meet requirements in other states, so the program serves in-state educators most directly. Accelerated completion in 12 to 18 months, no GRE requirement, small class sizes, and AI woven across the coursework mark it as a modern, flexibility-forward option. Candidates pursuing the administrative track complete a six-credit internship of 360 or more hours, grounding the leadership route in supervised practice. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options 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 14 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 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

    Roosevelt University

    Chicago, ILPrivate nonprofit

    • 9Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master's in Special Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Roosevelt University offers a Master of Arts in Special Education that leads to the Illinois LBS1 (Learning Behavior Specialist I) teaching credential, making it a genuine entry point into licensed special education practice. The 52-credit, two-year design is deeply field-based, building toward a 15-week in-person student teaching placement that grounds theory in sustained classroom work. Candidates can layer on optional endorsements in areas such as Elementary Education, Bilingual and ESL, Early Childhood Special Education, Middle School, and Reading Teacher, tailoring the degree to the settings they hope to enter. A reported 100 percent edTPA pass rate points to a program that prepares candidates thoroughly for certification benchmarks. The hybrid format and extended practicum together read as preparation meant to produce classroom-ready teachers. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based 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 9 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
  11. 11

    Canisius University

    Buffalo, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 17Master's/yr
    • $76,490Metro teacher pay
    • Advanced Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Canisius University offers a Master of Science in Education in Advanced Special Education, a fully online and asynchronous program aimed at teachers who already hold initial certification and are ready to move toward professional standing. Its 30 credits are structured to be completed in a single calendar year across summer, fall, spring, and a second summer, an efficient arc that fits educators looking to advance without stepping away from the classroom. The coursework weaves together theory, current research, and practicum experience, so candidates test ideas in real settings rather than studying them in the abstract. Graduates earn New York State Professional certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities, the credential that consolidates an early-career license into a lasting one. The self-paced online delivery makes it especially workable for practicing teachers across the state. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in New York.

    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 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 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
  12. 12

    Piedmont University

    Demorest, GAPrivate nonprofit

    • 5Master's/yr
    • $72,290State teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Piedmont University offers a Master of Arts in Special Education, a 30-credit online degree that pairs advanced study with endorsements recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Rather than preparing candidates for initial certification, it serves teachers who already hold a valid certificate or verified full-time teaching employment, letting them add targeted specializations in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gifted Education, or Dyslexia. The choice between synchronous evening sessions and fully asynchronous coursework gives working educators room to fit graduate study around a teaching schedule. That combination of endorsement pathways and flexible delivery frames the program as a practical way for established teachers to broaden the populations they can serve. It is a degree built around adding depth to an existing career. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options in Georgia.

    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 5 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
  13. 13

    Brenau University

    Gainesville, GAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 9Master's/yr
    • $64,780Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Brenau University offers a Master of Education in Special Education, a fully online program built for educators who already hold PSC Level 4 certification in special education in Georgia rather than for newcomers seeking a first license. The compact structure, 31 to 34 credits across twelve core courses, signals a degree meant to deepen practice quickly, and its autism content concentration folds specialized knowledge directly into the coursework. With no residency requirement and a path that can be finished in as few as three semesters, the program reads as a working teacher's route to advancing an existing credential on a tight timeline. It suits practitioners who want targeted expertise without stepping away from the classroom. This program offers a master's degree in special education 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 9 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
  14. 14

    Western Michigan University

    Kalamazoo, MIPublic

    • 2Master's/yr
    • $63,450Metro teacher pay
    • Special Education, Master of Arts
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Western Michigan University offers a Master of Arts in Special Education that leads to a Michigan K-12 endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Impairments, or Learning Disabilities. The CAEP-accredited program spans several pathways, from Clinical Teacher and Master Teacher tracks to a Behavior Intervention Specialist route, letting candidates enter according to their current standing and goals. Its standout feature is an expedited 18-month option that combines the master's degree with initial teacher certification, which the program identifies as the first of its kind in Michigan. That accelerated design speaks to career-changers and new educators seeking to earn both credential and degree in a single sustained effort. For already-certified teachers, the Master Teacher and specialist tracks offer a way to add endorsement depth. This program offers a master's degree in special education in Michigan.

    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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, where elementary teachers earn a median $63,450, roughly $66,902 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
  15. 15

    Alverno College

    Milwaukee, WIPrivate nonprofit

    • 11Master's/yr
    • $61,480Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education, Cross-Categorical Special Education, K-12
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Alverno College offers a Master of Arts in Education in Cross-Categorical Special Education for grades K-12, a hybrid program that leads to Wisconsin cross-categorical special education teacher licensure. Its dual pathway lets candidates earn initial special education licensure and the master's degree together in about two years, a structure that reads as built for career changers and aspiring teachers wanting one efficient route to both credentials. The 33-credit sequence embeds field experience, student teaching, and seminar components, and evaluates candidates through portfolio and vision-of-teaching assessments alongside required Foundations of Reading and Praxis II exams. That combination of supervised classroom work and reflective evaluation points to a program grounded in preparing practice-ready special educators. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in Wisconsin.

    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 11 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
  16. 16

    Auburn University

    Auburn, ALPublicOnline available

    • 9Master's/yr
    • Master of Education, Collaborative Teacher Special Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Auburn University offers a Master of Education in Collaborative Teacher Special Education that prepares candidates to support students with disabilities in inclusive settings, with advanced tracks for both the elementary K-6 and secondary 6-12 levels. Because it admits candidates with or without an existing teaching certificate, the program serves career-changers seeking initial entry alongside current teachers advancing from Class B to Class A certification, so the cohort spans a range of experience. The curriculum centers on evidence-based practices for co-taught and inclusive classrooms, reflecting the collaborative teaching model named in the degree. Offered both on campus and online, it accommodates working educators who need to study while employed. Completion leads to Alabama special education certification. This program offers a master's degree in special education in Alabama.

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

    School site
  17. 17

    Lancaster Bible College

    Lancaster, PAPrivate nonprofit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • Master of Education: Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Lancaster Bible College, through its Capital Seminary & Graduate School, offers an online Master of Education in Special Education framed for already-certified teachers who want to deepen their expertise in serving students with a range of disabilities, including Down syndrome, ADHD, behavioral and emotional disorders, and learning disabilities. The design leans toward flexibility and professional growth rather than initial licensure: there is no residency requirement, no capstone, an optional weekly 30 to 60 minute Zoom session for community, and acceptance of up to nine transfer credits. Coursework is grounded in a biblical worldview consistent with the seminary setting, positioning the program as a values-driven credential for practicing educators expanding their skills. It is a master's degree in 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
  18. 18

    SUNY Brockport

    Brockport, NYPublic

    • 19Master's/yr
    • Childhood Inclusive Education
    About the program

    SUNY Brockport offers a Master of Science in Education in Childhood Inclusive Education built for candidates seeking New York certification for the first time and aiming to teach in inclusive elementary settings. The degree delivers dual certification in Childhood grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities across all grades, so graduates leave prepared to work with the full range of learners in a general classroom. Its substantial scope, a minimum of 54 credit hours moving through five program phases and culminating in a 6-credit full-time student teaching practicum, reflects a thorough entry route into the profession rather than an add-on credential. A distinctive feature is the option of field placements well beyond campus, including Alaska, Australia, New York City, and Ghana, which widens candidates' sense of what inclusive teaching looks like in different communities. The result reads as an immersive preparation program for aspiring inclusive educators. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in New York.

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

    School site
  19. 19

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Lincoln, NEPublicOnline available

    • 23Master's/yr
    • Master of Education in Special Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a Master of Education in Special Education, a 36-credit on-campus program whose concentrations reach into low-incidence and sensory specialties: Early Childhood Special Education, Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Orientation and Mobility, and Visual Impairments. The degree accommodates different scholarly ambitions, offering a thesis pathway with six to ten thesis credits for candidates drawn to research and a non-thesis pathway for those focused on applied practice. An accelerated master's option lets qualified UNL undergraduates begin graduate work early and move efficiently toward the degree. The mix of specialized tracks and flexible completion paths characterizes a program serving both future researchers and practitioners committed to highly specialized special education fields. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in Nebraska.

    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.

    School site
  20. 20

    Georgia College & State University

    Milledgeville, GAPublicOnline available

    • 19Master's/yr
    • Master of Education in Special Education General Curriculum
    • Online
    About the program

    Georgia College and State University offers a Master of Education in Special Education General Curriculum, an online program that centers on general curriculum instruction for students in grades P-12. It is built for teachers who already hold a Level 4 Georgia certificate, advancing an established educator's credential rather than opening a first path into licensure. The program's defining feature is a school-improvement-planning capstone in which candidates carry their findings outward, sharing outcomes with local, regional, state, and national associations. That emphasis on applied, publicly accountable work characterizes a degree aimed at practicing teachers ready to influence practice beyond their own classrooms. The result is a program that treats professional growth as something shared, not just personal. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options in Georgia.

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

    School site
  21. 21

    Duquesne University

    Pittsburgh, PAPrivate nonprofit

    • 3Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Education in Special Education - Cognitive, Behavior, Physical/Health Disabilities (CBP/HD)
    • Online
    About the program

    Duquesne University offers a Master of Science in Education in Special Education focused on cognitive, behavioral, and physical or health disabilities, an online program that meets Pennsylvania PreK-12 special education certification requirements. Across roughly two years and 33 credits, it threads emphasis areas including Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Early Intervention and Child Development, secondary practices and transitions, and low incidence disabilities directly into the coursework. The heavy field commitment, five separate practica in behavior, low incidence, autism, early intervention, and transition, plus a portfolio-based exit assessment, signals a program built to certify practitioners across the full span of a special educator's caseload. An Early Start option lets undergraduates take up to five courses at undergraduate tuition rates, easing the path into the graduate sequence. Its recognition by the Council for Exceptional Children reinforces a rigorous, certification-oriented design. This program offers a master's degree in special education in Pennsylvania.

    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
  22. 22

    Fresno Pacific University

    Fresno, CAPrivate nonprofit

    • 16Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Fresno Pacific University offers a Master of Arts in Special Education structured as a post-credential program for its own credential graduates within five years of completion, a narrow eligibility window that shapes the whole design. Candidates must hold a valid California teaching credential and be currently employed as credentialed special educators, so the cohort is made up of practicing teachers rather than new entrants, and the degree extends earlier credential pathways in Early Childhood, Extensive Support Needs, or Mild/Moderate Support Needs. Delivered online through Zoom and Moodle in a cohort model, the program runs a classroom-based action research capstone across two semesters and four courses, reaching a minimum of 36 total units when combined with the credential. Because it is post-credential, it deepens practice and research skills rather than serving as an initial licensure route. The applied capstone and working-teacher cohort define it as a program for reflective practitioners already in the field. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level 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 16 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  23. 23

    Arkansas State University

    Jonesboro, ARPublicOnline available

    • 47Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Education in Special Education, Instructional Specialist K-12
    • Online
    About the program

    Arkansas State University offers a fully online Master of Science in Education in Special Education with an Instructional Specialist K-12 track, a format and focus aimed at working adults preparing to teach students with disabilities across all grade levels. The 36-credit program can be completed in as few as 16 months and pairs coursework with internship and practicum experiences, so candidates apply what they study in real classrooms even at a distance. The absence of an entrance exam and TEACH Grant eligibility lower the barriers to entry, signaling a program designed to move committed candidates efficiently toward the classroom. Graduates have the opportunity to earn special education teaching licensure in Arkansas. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, reinforcing its standing as a licensure-oriented preparation route. This program offers a master's degree in special education in Arkansas.

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

    School site
  24. 24

    Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

    Mercedita, PRPrivate nonprofit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • Maestria en Artes en Educacion, Especialidad en Educacion Especial (Master of Arts in Education, Special Education specialization)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Inter American University of Puerto Rico offers a Maestria en Artes en Educacion with a specialization in Educacion Especial, a campus-based master's taught at the Arecibo and San German campuses, with San German authorized for distance-education delivery. The 30 to 33 credit program lets candidates cap the degree with either a comprehensive exam or a 33-credit integrating seminar, EDUC 697F, and it requires a prior statistics course for admission, marking an academically structured path with a research-minded culmination. The degree itself is not a certification credential; students seeking Puerto Rico teacher certification must separately satisfy the current requirements of the Puerto Rico Department of Education. It suits educators looking to specialize in special education within a Spanish-language graduate program while pursuing certification on their own track. It is a master's degree in 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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  25. 25

    Buena Vista University

    Storm Lake, IAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 2Master's/yr
    • Master of Education in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Buena Vista University offers an online Master of Education in Special Education that pairs the degree with an Iowa special education consultant endorsement, admitting teachers who already hold a valid K-12 certificate. Its endorsement architecture is unusually detailed, letting candidates pursue Instructional Strategist I for mild to moderate disabilities, Instructional Strategist II tracks in cognitive and intellectual disabilities or behavior and learning disorders, or a comprehensive route that combines them all. Every track carries a practicum and a capstone portfolio, keeping the program anchored in applied classroom evidence rather than coursework alone. A two-year timeline is standard, while a Plus One accelerated option lets recent bachelor's graduates finish in a single year. The overall design fits certified teachers aiming to specialize and step into consulting or strategist roles. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based 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 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site

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