Learn About Online Programs for Special Education Master's Degrees

Special education teachers work with students who need a little extra help, such as students with mental, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical disabilities. Once you have this degree you can work with any age group ranging from young children to older adults. People who possess this degree are in high demand and have a variety of career choices according to the Distance Education Organization.

Curriculum

All schools will be slightly different in the classes they require you to take, but most classes are similar to those I will list here. In addition to your dissertation, you will take the following classes: fundamentals of special education, content and literacy skill development, the inclusive classroom, emotional and behavioral support, teaching low incident disability students, integrating technology for achievement and learning, emotional and behavioral support, pervasive developmental disorders, and special education practices and methods.

You can choose from a variety of concentrations including technologies for special education, autism, and language and cultural issues.

Your capstone activities include action research special education teachers one and two.

Schools that Offer this Degree Online

Drexel University offers a Master of Science in Special Education. They require those applying to already have an accredited bachelor's degree, a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA, your official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended, a completed graduate school application, an essay stating why you want to obtain a graduate degree in this field, and two letters of recommendation (can be academic or professional).

Students will have to take 13 courses consisting of 49.5 credits. Each credit will be $720 per credit for the 2010-2011 school year, but the regular graduate credit cost is $960. These can change.

Salary and Career Outlook

This field is in need of educators holding a master's degree. Some career paths can include primary grades special education teacher, teacher of the visually impaired, learning disabilities specialist, rehabilitation teacher, and teacher of the hearing impaired.

On average, a special education teachers can earn an average annual salary of about $43,570. There are many job opportunities available to you in this field if you hold a Master's degree. To increase your chances of employment, you can do an internship or volunteer with those who have special needs throughout your degree.

Resources

Drexel University: http://www.drexel.com/online-degrees/education-degrees/ms-sped/index.aspx

Distance Education Organization: http://www.distance-education.org/Degrees/Education-10/Special-Education-52/