Best Master's in Special Education Programs by Degrees Awarded

1. 1

   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

   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 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
2. 2

   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
3. 3

   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
4. 4

   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
5. 5

   Saint Peter's University

   Jersey City, NJPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 20Master's/yr
   • Master of Arts in Education: Special Education
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   Saint Peter's University offers a Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Special Education, a 33-credit program built for teachers who already hold elementary or secondary certification and want to add depth in supporting students with disabilities. Rather than a single generalist path, it asks candidates to commit to one of two focused tracks, Applied Behavior Analysis for students on the autism spectrum or Literacy for reading and learning disabilities, which signals a program that values genuine expertise over broad coverage. Courses run in the evening across online and hybrid formats, a schedule shaped around educators who are teaching during the day. Completing the degree leads to New Jersey certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities, extending an existing license into specialized practice. AAQEP accreditation through 2030 and state approval give the credential recognized standing. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options in New Jersey.

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

   School site
6. 6

   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
7. 7

   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
8. 8

   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

   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 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
9. 9

   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

   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 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
10. 10

    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

    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 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
11. 11

    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

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

    School site
12. 12

    Pacific University

    Forest Grove, ORPrivate nonprofit

    • 15Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Pacific University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education delivered fully online over 24 months and 45 credits. The program is designed for candidates preparing for Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission licensure, and it satisfies the educational requirements to teach students with disabilities. Rather than staying purely coursework-based, it is built around a locally placed student-teaching practicum where candidates work alongside mentor support from experienced special educators, giving the online format a hands-on, classroom-grounded core. Specialization options in areas such as technology in learning, reading intervention, and dyslexia strategies let students tailor the degree, and additional endorsements extend their reach. Carrying AAQEP recognition, the program reads as a structured route into a first special education license for people committed to a two-year, cohort-paced path. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options in Oregon.

    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.

    School site
13. 13

    Lincoln University

    Lincoln University, PAPublicHBCU

    • 15Master's/yr
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, PK-12 Certification
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Lincoln University offers a Master of Education in Special Education with PK-12 certification, a hybrid program that leads to Pennsylvania special education teacher certification for ages 3 to 21. Its accelerated three-semester structure, 48 or 54 credits depending on the track, paired with weeknight evening classes in Philadelphia, reads as a program built for working adults moving into the classroom without stepping away from their jobs. Certification candidates complete an integrated student-teaching component of 6 or 12 credits scaled to their current teaching status, and pass the Praxis Fundamental Subjects and Special Education Foundational Knowledge exams along with state clearances. For those not seeking the full degree, a 33-credit certificate-only option is available, and a separate dual-certification pathway combines Early Childhood PK-4 with Special Education PK-12. The overall design points squarely at practicing and aspiring teachers seeking an efficient licensure route. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based 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 15 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
14. 14

    Mount Saint Mary College

    Newburgh, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 14Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Education: Special Education (1-12)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Mount Saint Mary College offers a Master of Science in Education in Special Education for grades 1 through 12, a program that pairs New York teacher certification with flexibility built for people already working. Courses run in the evening or online in accelerated 8-week terms with six start dates a year, a cadence that lets teachers enter when it suits them and keep momentum. Small class sizes and a reported 93% employment rate at graduation point to a program that stays close to its students and connects them to jobs. The special education focus can also be paired with other MSEd tracks such as childhood education, adolescence education, literacy, or a middle school extension, and it explicitly opens doors toward special-education administration, consulting, and training. CAEP accreditation and Council for Exceptional Children recognition, with AAQEP accreditation underway, back the credential. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based in New York.

    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.

    School site
15. 15

    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

    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 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
16. 16

    Barry University

    Miami, FLPrivate nonprofit

    • 14Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Barry University offers a Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education that prepares candidates for Florida K-12 ESE certification while accommodating two distinct audiences. Candidates without prior teaching experience complete a six-credit teaching internship, while those already in classrooms take a three-credit ESE practicum, a branching structure that lets both newcomers and working teachers move through the same 36-credit program. Two focused options extend its reach, an Autism Endorsement for already-certified teachers and an Autism Certificate for human services professionals outside teaching, so the program serves specialization needs beyond the core degree. All candidates sit a Master's Comprehensive Exam in the final semester, giving the program a summative capstone. Graduates with existing credentials can add the autism endorsement through the Florida Department of Education. Accreditation for the School of Education runs through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This program offers a master's degree in special education in Florida.

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

    School site
17. 17

    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

    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 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
18. 18

    Albizu University-Miami

    Miami, FLPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 11Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Albizu University offers an online Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education with a Varying Exceptionalities concentration, designed for candidates seeking Florida teaching certification to work with K-12 students across a range of exceptionalities. The 36-credit program can be completed full-time in two years and culminates in a 15-week action research capstone that pairs a literature review with an applied project, often carried out in Miami-Dade County K-12 schools, so candidates ground their final work in local classrooms. That applied capstone, combined with the online delivery, points to a program built for aspiring teachers who want certification while remaining connected to their communities. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education. It is a master's degree in special education at the master's level, based 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 11 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
19. 19

    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

    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 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
20. 20

    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
21. 21

    University of Central Oklahoma

    Edmond, OKPublic

    • 9Master's/yr
    • Special Education - Mild-Moderate Disabilities
    About the program

    The University of Central Oklahoma offers a Master of Education in Special Education with a concentration in Mild-Moderate Disabilities, one of two tracks alongside a separate Severe-Profound and Multiple Disabilities option. What distinguishes the curriculum is its span across the full developmental range, addressing infant, early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, and adult education levels rather than concentrating on a single grade band. That breadth suggests preparation for educators who expect to support learners with disabilities across the lifespan. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation under NCATE standards. As a master's degree in special education, it adds to the master's-level special education options in Oklahoma.

    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.

    School site
22. 22

    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

    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 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
23. 23

    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

    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. 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
24. 24

    Lasell University

    Newton, MAPrivate nonprofit

    • 7Master's/yr
    • Master of Education - Special Education: Moderate Disabilities
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Lasell University offers a Master of Education in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities that leads to initial Massachusetts teacher licensure for grades PreK through 8. The 39-credit design separates eighteen core credits from twenty-one licensure credits and requires at least 300 hours of student teaching across two classroom settings, a structure clearly built to move candidates from theory into supervised practice. Coursework is delivered in eight-week modules, and paid internship partnerships with the Newton, Wellesley, Arlington, and Boston public schools let candidates earn while they train. Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the program requires candidates to pass MTEL examinations including the Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum subtests. The combination of paid placements and staged licensure coursework signals preparation aimed squarely at new special education teachers. This program offers a master's degree in special education 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 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
25. 25

    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

    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. 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

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