Master’s in Special Education Online MEd Degree Concentration
Program Overview Why get a master’s in special education online?
Help meet the instructional and transitional needs of students with an online Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction degree with a concentration in Special Education from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Designed to align with 21st century learning, this program offers a deep understanding of issues related to teaching and learning conditions for children with mild to moderate disabilities.
Skills you'll learn:
- Theory-informed curriculum design
- Unique learner assessments
- Learner assessment data analysis
- Applications of technology to aid students
- Inclusive leadership techniques
- Learning promotion in any context for all students
Courses & Curriculum Master’s in special education online classes that make a difference
In this program, you'll learn traditional, innovative and research-based approaches that support the needs of preschool- through high school-aged children. You'll also examine the history and legislation of special education at the federal and state levels as they relate to the Education and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). By graduation, you'll emerge with a ready-to-implement curriculum, along with a professional portfolio that showcases your leadership abilities.
Master's in special education online courses
This program includes 12 required courses — 3 of which are focused entirely on special education.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full MEd in Curriculum and Instruction - Special Education curriculum.
PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Apple (Mac OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Apple |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Special Education degree program does not lead to licensure. SNHU also offers online post-licensure Master of Education (MEd) programs for currently licensed individuals who are interested in furthering their professional development and enhancing their credentials.
However, since state requirements for adding endorsements vary greatly, SNHU does not guarantee that the completion of those programs will result in rank, endorsements and/or salary increases and strongly encourages interested individuals to contact their state licensure board prior to enrolling.
SNHU provides additional information for education programs on our licensure and certification disclosures page.
Apply for free in minutes
Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: January 06, 2025 | March 24, 2025
Next term starts:
Oct. 14, 2024
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
10-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
What does an online course look like?
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Discussion boards
- Grades
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
It's easy, fast and free.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
Additional Requirements:
- Resume including any relevant K-12 instructional or curriculum development experience, for at least six months
- Non-Licensure Acknowledgment form
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
Online graduate tuition
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:
$1,911 $3,822 $5,733 $7,644If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199
If 6 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $15,288
If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377
If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Ways to save on online tuition
Career Outlook What can I do with a master’s in special education online degree?
According to Education Week, enrollment in special education programs has doubled in the past 45 years.1 This program will help prepare you to be a educational leader with global awareness in roles like instructional coordinator, training and development specialist and special education teacher.
Please note: Instructional coordinators in public schools may be required to have a teaching license or an education administrator license.
Industries
Once you complete our master's in special education online degree program, you'll have a skill set that's directly applicable to the following industries:
Assess the skills of young learners and adapt curriculum to meet their unique needs. Plan activities specific to each student's skillset.
Aid learners and parents with transitions between grades. Discuss student progress with parents, teachers and school administrators as needed.
Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to each student. Assess learner performance and make changes to ensure their success.
Work one-on-one with students (typically toddlers or preschoolers) in their home. Assist with early learning, sensory processing, behavior and more.
Increase in roles (as fast as average) for instructional coordinators through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).2
Median annual pay for instructional coordinators as of May 2023, according to the BLS.2
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
What SNHU students are saying
SNHU provides the support needed at every level and at every stage to ensure student success.
Patrice Pilgrim-Wright '19
Frequently Asked Questions
A master's in special education (paired with a teaching license) can help you stand out in instructional or administrative roles that address the needs of special education populations.
In addition to positioning you for success as a special education teacher, a master's in special education can also help you build skills to become a training and development specialist or instructional coordinator. This is thanks to the degree's heavy focus on inclusive curriculum design.
To understand the full scope of jobs you can pursue with an master's in special education, it also helps to clearly define the term. According to the Center for Parent Information & Resources, special education is "instruction that is specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability."3
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) specifically identifies 13 major categories of special needs, which are:3
- Specific learning disability (SLD)
- Language/speech impairment
- Intellectual disability
- Emotional disturbance
- Hearing impairment
- Orthopedic impairment
- Visual impairment
- Deaf-blindness
- Autism
- Traumatic brain injury
- Developmental delay
- Multiple disabilities
- Other health impairment
Ultimately, a master's in special education will help prepare you to support countless populations of students with unique needs.
Requirements for earning your master's in special education may vary by program and institution.
At Southern New Hampshire University, you can earn this degree in as few as 15 months.
To apply, you must have a bachelor's degree, as well as a minimum 6 months of relevant K-12 instructional or curriculum development experience. No application fee is required.
The cost of a master's in special education varies depending on school, location, number of credits and several other factors.
Southern New Hampshire University proudly offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation. Our rate per credit hour for the master's in special education is $637. With 36 credits required to complete the program, that comes to a total tuition cost of $22,932.
We also offer financial aid, scholarships and tuition discounts for eligible students. Military service members and their families, for example, receive up to 30% tuition discounts – making our already low rates even more affordable.
Whether or not you should get your master's in special education all depends on your personal and professional goals. If you're passionate about teaching students of varying emotional, physical and cognitive abilities, the degree can help you gain the knowledge needed to better support those populations.
Courses in our Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Special Education may include:
- Assessment of Student Performance: Get an overview of practical performance assessments that can be used to measure student progress in a general education setting.
- Expressive Language-Skill and Writing: Focus on strategies to help support expressive language skills for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, primarily for writing.
- Executive Function and Study Skills: Learn how to aid students with language-based learning disabilities, many of whom struggle with the cognitive and self-regulating tasks associated with executive function.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 33,500 openings for special education teachers are projected each year through 2032.2
The BLS also notes that federal laws require every state to maintain the same level of financial support for special education each year, thereby reducing the threat of employment layoffs due to state or federal budget constraints.2 However, employment growth may depend on increases in funding.2
Yes, you can get a special education degree online.
Southern New Hampshire University's program is 100% online and offers 24/7 access to coursework, so you can manage your schedule in a way that works for you. As a result of this added flexibility, you could earn your master's in just over a year.
Even better? Our online programs are (in many cases) more affordable than traditional in-person degree programs.
Plus, they offer many of the same benefits campus students have, including access to student clubs, internships, experiential learning opportunities and the support of our instructors, advisors and career services team.
Sources & Citations
1Education Week, The Number of Students in Special Education Has Doubled in the Past 45 Years, on the internet, at https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-number-of-students-in-special-education-has-doubled-in-the-past-45-years/2023/07 (viewed Apr. 15, 2024).
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (viewed Apr. 19, 2024)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm#tab-1 (viewed Apr. 15, 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
3 Center for Parent Information & Resources on the internet, at:
- https://www.parentcenterhub.org/iep-specialeducation/ (viewed Apr. 15, 2024)
- https://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/gr3.pdf (viewed Apr. 15, 2024)