Everything You Need to Know about Getting a Master’s Degree in Special Education

Welcome to MastersinSpecialEducation – a website where you will become acquainted with the best opportunities and academic development options in the field of special education. We’ll guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right school and being a successful student, to obtaining your degree and planning your career.

This website features numerous guides and useful content for students of all levels, but the best information for beginners includes:

How to Choose the Best Special Education Graduate Program
The Various Specializations Universities Offer
Steps Needed to Get Certification in Special Education
A Guide to Getting a Master’s Degree in Special Education
The Benefits of Having a Master’s Degree in Special Education
Useful Online Resources and Other Articles

Choosing the Right Special Education Academic Program

As you know, university education is expensive. Taking some time to research graduate programs and compare their characteristics is important for choosing the best opportunity to invest in.

The accreditation of the university, experience of the staff members, curriculum, availability of financial aid and the available specialization options should all be examined.

Please click here to see a detailed list of special education academic programs and the details of each program.

Special Education Specializations

Some colleges have developed interesting niche programs that give students practical skills within a specific sub-niche. Some of the most popular special education specialization possibilities include:

Special Education Leadership: this specialization is perfect for the individual who would like to get a job in special education administration. It focuses on law, curriculum development, administrative responsibilities and finance.
Curriculum and Instruction: a field of specialization that prepares graduates to be effective in curriculum management and program assessment in the field.
General Special Education: this is a broad degree that incorporates bits and pieces of all other specialization programs.
Gifted Education: a program that focuses on the unique educational needs of gifted students.
High Incidence Disabilities: a program that focuses on work with students who have behavioral and psychological disorders, mild learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities.
Visual Impairments Education
Autism Spectrum Disorders

Steps Required for Certification in Special Education

To become a certified special education professional, you’ll need to complete a number of important steps, and you will need to acquaint yourself with the licensing requirements in the state where you live or plan to work. The certification options will also depend on the level of education you’ve acquired:

If you have a bachelor’s degree in special education, you will get a certificate or a license issued by the state.
If you have a master’s degree in special education, you will get a certificate or a license issued by the state.
If you have a non-licensure graduate degree in special education, you will not receive any certificate or license (this is why it’s very important to check the college’s accreditation and understand what kind of diploma you’ll be getting upon the completion of the program)
An MEd in special education is a program suitable for individuals not planning to pursue a teaching career since it doesn’t produce the required certification.
A PhD in special education will result in obtaining a certificate or a license issued by the state if the program corresponds to all of the certification requirements.

Once again, do your research and, if necessary, call the university’s graduate admissions office to find out whether or not your degree program will lead to certification.

The Benefits of Having a Master’s Degree in Special Education

Earning a master’s degree will give you an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of important benefits, such as:

Extensive knowledge in your chosen field.
The ability to pursue a career in the academic field.
The opportunity to research and develop new curriculum development methodologies that could potentially improve special education practices.
The ability to pursue a career in the field of special education consultancy.
The possibility of starting your own practice to help special needs individuals (depending on which degree plan you complete).

This is just an overview of the information you’ll find on our website. For updates and links to additional resources, please follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Getting a Master’s in Special Education Degree and Starting a Successful Career

If you’ve already completed your undergraduate studies in special education, chances are, you’re thinking about obtaining your master’s. This additional step will open many professional doors for you, as long as you choose the right academic institution and pursue the best possible specialization.

Why should You Get a Master’s Degree in Special Education?

Needless to say, you can start a career with your undergraduate diploma from a reputable university. However, if you’re serious about career development and advancement, furthering your education is a necessary next step.

Masters programs in special education will enable you to focus on the topics and niches of your biggest interests. You’ll do extensive research work and potentially lay the foundations of an academic career in your respective field.

People who have master’s degrees in special education also enjoy a vast range of professional opportunities, such as academic work, private sector work, and even governmental work. All of these are possible for individuals with the right credentials.

In addition, many graduates who have master’s degrees will go on to begin their own practices. Through work with special education children and their families, such professionals can design specialized solutions that enable the easier integration of those children into the traditional education system.

Professional Responsibilities

Individuals with master’s degrees in the field of special education can expect to have a wide range of diversified and challenging professional responsibilities. For example, they may be expected to:

Understand and analyze the latest trends and methodologies in the numerous fields of special education.
Design and implement curricula and educational practices on the basis of research and comprehensive analyses.
Understand psychological testing and other methods of evaluation.
Conduct research and participate in academic publication activities.
Work with college students and build a successful career in the academic field.
Work on administrative, budgeting and leadership tasks in special education.
Provide expert opinion and guidance to school supervisors, teachers and special education service providers.
Participate in public discussions on special education.

Choosing the Best Special Education Master’s Program

To get on the right professional track, you’ll need to discover the best academic opportunities in the field of special education. By the time you commence your graduate studies, chances are, you’ll already be employed. In this case, an accredited online program could be one of the most practical options for continuing your education.