Get Your Degree in Special Education via Online Study

Getting any kind of education degree once meant attending a university for classes, then performing a semester of student teaching at a university contracted school. Thanks to the internet, you can now get your degree in special education online and can even do your student teaching at a school in your own community. continued below »

Schools offering Online courses:

Walden University offers a Ph.D. in Education program with a specialization in Special Education. This program is designed to enhance the skills of practicing teachers who seek to promote the social and academic achievements of students with learning disabilities. In this program, students learn how to better examine the characteristics of learning disabled youngsters and how to identify, plan for and support the individual needs and strengths of those youngsters.

Capella University has a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Special Education program that is designed to provide a strong foundation in general K-12 educational administration with a focus on special education administration. Coursework includes Principles of Educational Administration, Curriculum Development, Teacher Supervision and Evaluation, Special Education Curriculum and Instructional Strategies, and more.

The University of Phoenix Online offers a Master of Arts in Education/Special Education program that is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure in the field of special education. The coursework includes orientation to the exceptional child, diagnosis and assessment of disabilities, foundations and methodologies of mild disabilities, and more.

Kaplan University offers a M.A. in Teaching and Learning/Teaching Students with Special Needs. The program is specifically designed to provide practicing K-12 teachers with the advanced strategies, classroom techniques, and skills they need. The curriculum consists of Teaching Exceptional Students in Inclusive Settings, Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities, and Teaching Students with Behavior Disorders.

A degree in Special Education allows you to work with students on equally opposite ends of the intelligence scale. That is, you may want to work with those who are learning disabled or developmentally challenged, or you may work with those who are classed as "gifted and talented." Since a high percentage of exceptionally bright students also have behavioral or emotional problems, or are hyperactive, they can be just as challenging as the slower students, and they also require special teaching skills.

Holding a degree in this field will allow you to do more than teach. You might be the coordinator for a learning resource program, the administrator for testing for learning disabled, or even—depending on your area of specialization—a curriculum coordinator who moderates the regular curriculum with that of the special needs children to ensure that they receive the maximum education for their individual abilities.

The Course of Study
A degree in special education is usually a Master's Degree. You can acquire your bachelor's degree in nearly anything, including a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Science in Education, or simply a degree in a particular discipline. The Master's degree is then your education degree and can be a degree in special education with an emphasis in administration, curriculum, counseling, or a discipline of your choice. The actual courses vary by institution, but all of the best programs involve both a practicum and a research project. You can choose from programs that allow you to go online and read or listen to lectures at your convenience, or—if you need a regular schedule—you can choose ones that have a required "attendance" period during which you must sign in and can then interact with other members and with the instructor.

Expected Salaries and Job Outlook
The need for teachers in nearly all areas is critical across the country, but even more so for Special Education teachers, administrators, coordinators, public relations experts, and others with this vital degree. The prevalence of ADHD and other problems among students has virtually exploded in the late 20th century. Scientists insist that learning problems have been caused by mercury laden vaccines and dietary contaminants such as hydrogenated oil, and MSG (just to name a couple), but even if they are correct, the analysis does not reduce the problem. Teachers and other professionals who are trained to work with special needs individuals are desperately needed. If this is your choice for a career, you will never need to worry about becoming unemployed.

Being certified in special education does not, unfortunately, guarantee a higher salary than any other teacher. Teacher salaries range from as low as $20,000 to as high as 80,000 depending on the area of the country. Those with more experience and advanced degrees have higher salaries. Administrators and curriculum coordinators are paid more than teachers, so if your goal is a six figure salary, you will need to aim for administration.

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