Special Education Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Options
A special education degree is available at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, and each one leads to a different kind of role. A bachelor's-level teacher-preparation program can prepare you for initial special education licensure, with exact requirements varying by state. A master's adds specializations like autism or behavior intervention. A doctorate opens research, professorship, or district leadership.
Special education is one of many degrees in education, and it isn't one job. It covers self-contained classrooms, inclusion support, gifted programming, and everything from mild learning differences to severe multiple disabilities, and the degree you choose shapes which of those rooms you end up in. Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs exist for this field, both online and on campus, and the right level depends on where you are now and what role you're aiming for.
Bachelor's Degree in Special Education
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point into special education teaching. Candidates must hold the appropriate state credential for the position they're pursuing, and special education openings tend to come up often because the field has a persistent staffing gap in many districts.
Requirements
Most bachelor's programs ask for a high school diploma or GED, at least one letter of recommendation, and a completed application. Clinical placements may require background checks, fingerprinting, health documentation, or other clearances depending on state, institution, and placement-site requirements. Beyond that, requirements vary by college, so check the specific program's admissions page.
Time
A bachelor's in special education typically takes four years of full-time study across two semesters a year. Transfer credit or summer and winter session courses can shorten that timeline for some students.
Choosing an Online Bachelor's in Special Education
If you're weighing an online bachelor's in special education, look for a program that's accredited, established, and transparent about what it actually delivers. A few questions are worth asking before you commit.
Is the Program Accredited?
Institutional accreditation matters for both online and on-campus programs. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP, formerly NCATE and TEAC) is the body that reviews educator-preparation programs specifically. Verify institutional accreditation and, for a licensure-track program, confirm that the program meets the applicable state's educator-preparation requirements: CAEP accreditation may also apply. Candidates must separately satisfy the applicable state's educator-credential requirements.
How Long Has the Program Been Offered?
A program that's been running for several years, with a track record of graduates who went on to get licensed, gives you more to evaluate than a brand-new offering. Newer programs can still operate legitimately under institutional and state approval processes before pursuing optional programmatic accreditation, so verify current accreditation and state-approval status directly rather than judging by program age alone.
What Technologies Will Be Used?
Most online special education programs run on a learning management system like Moodle or Canvas, where you'll find lectures, assignments, and discussion with classmates and instructors. Some platforms are genuinely easier to use than others, so it's worth asking current students before you enroll.
What Resources Will I Have Access To?
Ask whether the program gives online students the same access to research databases, mentorship, and internship placement that on-campus students get. Some schools also offer tech support and academic advising specifically built for distance learners.
What Skills and Topics Are Covered?
A program should be able to tell you plainly what its learning outcomes are: the specific skills and knowledge you'll have by graduation. Compare those outcomes against the kind of special education work you actually want to do before you enroll.
What Do Recent Graduates Say?
Talking to people who finished the program in the last year or two is one of the most useful things you can do before enrolling. Ask what surprised them about the online format, and whether the program actually prepared them for their first year in a classroom.
Is an Online Degree Right for You?
Earning a bachelor's in special education on campus means commuting to class, sometimes several nights a week, on top of everything else in your life. An online program can cut that time cost while covering the same coursework, though student teaching still typically has to happen in person. Here's what to weigh.
Flexible Schedule
Online programs let you fit coursework around work, family, and whatever else is already on your plate. No commute means more of your week goes to studying instead of driving.
Faster Completion
Many online special education programs run on an accelerated schedule, which can shorten your path to a degree. That pace usually means a heavier workload per term, so plan for that rather than being surprised by it.
Accessibility
Because physical attendance usually isn't required, location stops being a barrier. That opens up programs you'd never have been able to attend if you had to live near campus.
Tuition and Costs
An online degree can cost less once you account for what it removes:
- No parking, gas, or on-campus meal costs from a daily commute.
- No relocation or on-campus housing fees.
- The ability to keep working while you study, since classes don't require you to be in one place at one time.
- No out-of-state tuition premium at some schools, depending on the program.
Bachelor's Program Course Topics
Coursework varies by school, but a bachelor's in special education generally includes a version of the following.
Behavioral Management and Intervention
This course covers how to manage common classroom behavior issues using reinforcement and other evidence-based strategies, plus approaches tailored to different disability categories, since special education students don't always respond to standard classroom management the way other students do.
Instructional Planning and Presentation
Special education students work under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan, both of which have to be written, followed, and revisited roughly once a year. This course teaches how to plan instruction that satisfies that plan while still meeting grade-level standards, and how to present material in multiple formats so it actually reaches the student.
Literacy for Children
Literacy instruction underpins every other subject, math included, and special education students frequently need more direct, structured support to get there. This course covers choosing appropriate texts and using them to build foundational reading skills.
Other Bachelor's Course Topics
- Assessing and developing language abilities in children and youth
- Conducting academic and behavioral assessments
- Characteristics and common diagnoses associated with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and emotional or behavioral disorders
- Current issues and developments in special education
- Characteristics of intellectually gifted students
- Inclusive teaching strategies for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Directed learning in core subjects like language arts and math
- Creating transition plans for students moving toward adulthood or a new school setting
- Inclusive classroom practices for students with mild intellectual disabilities, speech or language disorders, or who are d/Deaf, blind, or Deaf-blind
- Communication techniques for students who are d/Deaf or who are blind or low-vision
- Building a classroom environment and school-wide practices that support students with any exceptionality
Master's Degree in Special Education
A master's degree can open up work beyond the general classroom, including consulting or research, on top of specialized teaching roles. Some graduates go on to administrative roles as well, but administrator credential requirements are separate and vary by state. A master's is the level most people pursue once they already hold a license and want to go deeper into a specific area of special education.
Requirements
A master's in special education typically takes two years of full-time study, four semesters. Requirements vary by school, but most master's programs ask for:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- An official transcript meeting the program's GPA minimum
- A completed application and fee
- Proof of an existing teaching license, where the program requires one
- Any assessments required by the program or applicable state credential pathway, where relevant
- GRE or GMAT scores, where the program requires them (cutoffs vary)
Choosing an Online Master's in Special Education
An online master's is a common choice for people already working full time or raising a family. Programs generally offer:
- A range of specializations to choose from
- A flexible schedule built around working students
- Experienced instructors, often practicing or former special educators
- No commuting, parking, relocation, or campus housing costs
- Financial aid eligibility through FAFSA, the same as on-campus programs
Master's Course Topics
Course topics vary by institution, but common ones include:
- Supporting families of children with exceptionalities through the educational process
- Building valid, evidence-based assessment tools for students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, or mild intellectual disability
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Designing and implementing evidence-based behavior intervention programs
- Building transition plans for major milestones like graduation and minor ones like a grade-level change
- Characteristics and development of intellectually gifted students
- Supporting classroom teachers with assistive technology in mainstream settings
- Family-centered practice for students with exceptionalities
Learn more about a Master's Degree in Special Education.
Doctorate Degree in Special Education
A doctorate in special education usually requires a master's in a related field first, though some programs accept conditional admission while you finish master's-level coursework. The two common paths are an EdD, aimed at people staying close to practice, and a PhD, which leans more heavily into research.
Licensure
Because this degree can lead to a role inside the school system, licensure or credentialing still applies where the role requires it. Attending an accredited program matters at every degree level, doctorate included.
Career Paths
A doctorate in special education can lead to work as a teacher, professor, or researcher, and some graduates move into administrative or leadership roles as well, though administrator credential requirements are separate and vary by state. Others move into social services or juvenile corrections leadership roles, where the same background in exceptionalities and behavior applies.
Doctoral Program Course Topics
Doctoral candidates in special education generally work toward improving outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and exceptionalities, through a mix of research, coursework, and fieldwork. Programs vary, but common elements include:
- Field research across cross-disciplinary areas of special education
- Collaborating with faculty, fellow candidates, and families on research projects
- Supervising undergraduate fieldwork and student placements
- Research into intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Connecting students and families with available resources and programs
- Curriculum leadership for students with cognitive, communication, social, or motor exceptionalities
- Developing supports for students with significant literacy, numeracy, or persistent behavior challenges
- Research and leadership focused on autism, multiple disabilities, or other significant needs
- Preparing and submitting grant proposals to state agencies and the U.S. Department of Education
- Publishing research and presenting findings at conferences throughout the program
Online Doctorate in Special Education
A doctorate is a heavy commitment for anyone, and most doctoral students are also working and raising families while they do it. An online format lets you keep a job during the day and attend virtual sessions on your own schedule. Online doctoral programs generally offer:
- Specializations across special education available from schools nationwide
- A flexible schedule built around working adults
- Accelerated options that can shorten the timeline
- No costs tied to relocating, commuting, or campus housing
What Can You Do With a Degree in Special Education?
A special education degree opens roles both inside and outside the classroom.
Special Education Teacher
A special education teacher works in an inclusion classroom or a self-contained setting, depending on specialization: gifted education, mild-to-moderate needs, severe disabilities, or autism-specific instruction. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, special education teachers earned a median annual salary of $67,170 nationally as of May 2025. Job growth varies sharply by grade band: Projections Central estimates preschool special education roles will grow about 1.4% and "all other" special education roles about 1.2% between 2024 and 2034, while kindergarten and elementary special education roles are projected to decline about 1.8%, middle school about 1.9%, and secondary school about 1.6% over the same period. Even where employment is projected to shrink slightly, Projections Central still estimates thousands of openings a year across these roles combined, driven mostly by retirements and turnover rather than new positions.
Learn more about a career as a Special Education Teacher. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also has more detail on this occupation.
Remedial Skills Instructor
Community programs, often through a local library or community center, hire remedial skills instructors to teach basic academic skills to adults. Class sizes range from a handful of students to much larger groups depending on the program.
Curriculum Specialist
A curriculum specialist helps choose or design curriculum and trains teachers to implement it, including how to adapt materials for students with disabilities. Most curriculum specialist roles require a master's degree or higher.
Salary and Job Outlook by Special Education Specialty
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $64,830 | +1.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $65,120 | -1.8% |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $66,810 | -1.9% |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $74,260 | -1.6% |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $76,580 | +1.2% |
Specialty Special Education Programs
Within special education, a few areas of specialization show up again and again in degree programs.
Mild to Moderate Disabilities
Teachers in this specialty work with students whose learning or behavioral differences interfere with expected academic progress. At the elementary level, that means remedial or beginning skills in reading, writing, math, science, and social behavior. At the secondary level, it adds preparation for vocational training or further education. Depending on the student, this can mean part of the day in a general education classroom and part in a pull-out setting.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
This specialization, usually at the master's level, prepares teachers for a wide range of functioning levels among autistic students. Some need heavy support with social skills and behavior, while others are highly capable academically and need a different kind of support entirely. Lower-functioning students with autism may spend more time in a separate classroom, while higher-functioning students often do well in a mainstream setting with occasional pull-out support.
Gifted and Talented
Teachers who specialize in gifted education work with students performing well above grade level. Most gifted programs run as a pull-out model: students spend most of the day in mainstream classes and join a gifted-specific class for one period a day or week to go deeper on material that challenges them.
Severe Disabilities
This specialty covers students with significant disabilities or health needs, some of whom are nonverbal or have limited mobility. Instruction focuses on functional academics and daily living skills: communication, social behavior, and independence. Students are usually taught in self-contained classrooms or specialized schools, joining a full inclusion class for subjects like gym or music where appropriate.
Special Education Leadership
A leadership-track special education degree prepares graduates to advocate for students and families and to help classroom teachers implement lessons that work for students with disabilities. Depending on the role, a special education leader may still teach directly or work entirely in a support and oversight capacity.
Special Education Degree Scholarships
A special education degree can lead to steady work in a field that always needs more qualified teachers, and a handful of scholarships exist specifically for students pursuing one. Our Scholarships and Grants page covers more options beyond the two below.
Alexis Kate Special Education Teachers Scholarship
The Alexis Kate Special Education Teachers Scholarship, granted through Eden Autism Services, awards $500 annually. Applicants must be sophomore- or junior-status undergraduates at an accredited U.S. college or university working toward a degree in special education.
ASL Honor Society Scholarship Program
The ASL Honor Society Scholarship, offered through the American Sign Language Teachers Association, awards $1,250 each year to students studying ASL, deaf studies, special education, or interpreter preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master's degree to teach special education?
No. A bachelor's-level preparation pathway is a common route, but degree, clinical-experience, assessment, and other credential requirements vary by state. A master's adds specialization or supports research and, in some cases, administrative roles, but it isn't the entry-level requirement.
How long does a special education degree take?
A bachelor's typically takes four years full-time, a master's around two years, and a doctorate varies widely based on research and dissertation timelines, often four to six years or more.
Can I earn a special education degree entirely online?
Coursework can usually be completed online at every degree level. Licensure-track programs generally include supervised clinical experience, though the specific format, placement, and hour requirements vary by state and program.
What's the difference between an EdD and a PhD in special education?
An EdD is generally built for people staying close to practice: administration, leadership, or advanced classroom roles. A PhD leans more heavily into original research and is the more common choice for candidates aiming at a professorship.
Does a special education degree lead to a specific license, or do I choose a specialization later?
Licensure requirements and available specializations (autism, severe disabilities, gifted education, and others) vary by state and by program, so check both your state's educator-licensing agency and the specific program's course catalog before enrolling if you have a specialization in mind.
- Three degree levels lead to different roles - a bachelor's-level teacher-preparation program can prepare you for initial special education licensure, a master's adds specialization or supports research, and a doctorate opens research and professorship.
- Verify accreditation and state approval separately - confirm both the program's institutional accreditation and that it meets the applicable state's educator-preparation requirements, and note that CAEP accreditation may also apply.
- Pay varies by grade band - BLS data puts special education teacher pay at roughly $65,000-$76,000 nationally depending on the level, as of May 2025.
- Job growth is mixed, not uniformly rising - preschool and "all other" special education roles are projected to grow slightly through 2034, while K-12 special education roles in most grade bands are projected to decline slightly, even as thousands of openings appear yearly from turnover.
- Credential requirements vary by state - degree, clinical-experience, assessment, and administrator-credential requirements differ from state to state, so candidates must satisfy the applicable state's educator-credential requirements directly.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers. Job growth projections (2024-2034) are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Degree level is only one piece of the decision - the other is finding a program that matches how you need to study and which specialization you're after. The sponsored programs on this page include options at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level, several with online formats built for students already working or raising a family.
Best Colleges for Special Education Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Options
We are happy to release our Teacher.org's Best Colleges for Special Education Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Options rankings. This list was compiled by scoring several areas including, relative size of the program, graduation rates, default rates, tuition affordability, and online education options availability. More information about each college listed is available by clicking on the web address provided. Over 400 colleges were analyzed and the top 20 were included in our Best Colleges Ranking.
For more information on education degree rankings, see our methodology page: https://www.teacher.org/college-ranking-methodology/.
Ella Cline Shear School of Education at the State University of New York offers a widely acclaimed undergraduate degree in Childhood Education with accompanying certification in Special Education. This extended degree offering prepares teachers to teach both mainstream and special education students from grades 1 through 6. Obtaining a bachelor's degree in Special Education equips new teachers with the tools to teach students with special needs in the modern educational and social school climate. Learn more by visiting the college website at geneseo.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 2.0% Loan Default
Fredonia State University of New York is home to a renowned Childhood Inclusive Education program, offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. In addition to preparing teacher candidates to achieve their elementary teacher certificates from the state of New York, the program equips teachers with the skills to teach students with disabilities in the inclusive classroom. Based on a combination of theory and field-based practice, teachers emerge having spent considerable time assessing and teaching students that have special needs. Learn more by visiting the college website at fredonia.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 4.7% Loan Default
Located on SUNY's Cortland campus, the College of Education offers a dual certification program designed to help teachers effectively teach students in both the mainstream and special education classrooms. Student teaching and practicum placements will include meaningful involvement in both environments, with the goal to have teachers thrive in both instruction and assessment in the inclusive classroom model. Student teaching experiences are designed to include mentors from both the general education and special education fields. Learn more by visiting the college website at www2.cortland.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 2.9% Loan Default
Pennsylvania's Bloomsburg University is home to a rigorous but rewarding dual certification in Special Education/Early Childhood teacher certification. As a major, teacher candidates will experience instruction and assessment in both the mainstream and special education environments and will work toward dual certification by the end of the program. Structuring the undergraduate requirements in this manner ensures that teacher candidates graduate with the skills to manage an inclusive modern classroom environment. Learn more by visiting the college website at bloomu.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 4.9% Loan Default
With an emphasis equally on tradition, innovation, and excellence, the Education Department at St. Joseph's College-New York is proud to offer an intensive program focusing on Adolescence Education. Candidates can major in biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, and Spanish. Available at both the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses, successful graduates can advance to pursue a master's certification in Special Education with an emphasis on Childhood or Adolescence Special Education with an Annotation in Severe and Multiple Disabilities M.A. Learn more by visiting the college website at catalog.sjcny.edu.
- Private University
- 1,000 - 5,000 Students
- 200+ Grads/Yr
- 4.0% Loan Default
Designed to meet the needs of teacher candidates enrolled at Bridgewater State University, the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders is home to renowned programs that include a Bachelor of Science Education with emphasis on serving students with either moderate or severe disabilities, or with communication disorders. Undergraduates are encouraged to be passionate about their chosen vocation of special education teachers, as the field is still in need of dedicated individuals ready to teach special populations in a contemporary classroom environment. Learn more by visiting the college website at bridgew.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 5.1% Loan Default
The Department of Education at Providence College foremost seeks to prepare teacher-candidates for the professional rigors of the special education classroom. With a balanced approach to both theory and practice, and a mandate to produce graduates who are ethical, inclusive and evidence based, the Elementary/Special Education program faculty are committed to changing the face of special education through Providence's graduates. Learn more by visiting the college website at providence.edu.
- Private University
- 1,000 - 5,000 Students
- 25-50 Grads/Yr
- 2.0% Loan Default
Students who graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire enter a job market that has a high need for qualified professionals who possess certification in both Special Education and Unified Early Childhood Education (birth to age 9). The program's faculty is committed to creating great teachers through instilling confidence and competence. This is achieved through a mix of community involvement, theory and field placements. Learn more by visiting the college website at uwec.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 2.7% Loan Default
Western Washington University's Wending College of Education faculty believes that special education is founded around the principle of creating exceptional teachers. Committed to instilling teacher-candidates with extensive practice and theory, Western Washington University prepares teachers through a variety of study options that culminate in graduates being able to teach special education throughout the state of Washington. Graduates are ethical individuals who are ready to face the challenges of the future-focused educational environment. Learn more by visiting the college website at wce.wwu.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 2.9% Loan Default
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's Faculty of Education offers certifying programs of study in the field of special education. Coupled with a major in Early Childhood Education, the program prepares students to work with children who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioral disorders, and autism. Slippery Rock's faculty is committed to creating teachers who are prepared to navigate the modern educational environment in this highly skilled role as special education teacher. Learn more by visiting the college website at sru.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 4.4% Loan Default
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's College of Education and Human Services is proud to offer a number of undergraduate degree options that combine mainstream and special education in order to create the next generation of inclusive teachers. Designed to meet the rigors and practices of the future-focused classroom environment, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's faculty is committed to educate and empower others in order to bring ever more respect to the teaching profession. Learn more by visiting the college website at uwosh.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 4.0% Loan Default
With the intent that every successful undergraduate becomes a leader in their role as teacher, the Illinois State University's College of Education is home to the renowned Department of Special Education. With a variety of minors and degree concentrations, students blend theory and practice in order to emerge fully prepared to instruct and assess students with a range of abilities and needs. Learn more by visiting the college website at education.illinoisstate.edu.
- Public University
- 20,000+ Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 2.8% Loan Default
West Chester University of Pennsylvania's Department of Special Education offers a variety of major and minor concentrations in order to fit every student's need for inclusiveness as a part of teaching. The department offers three bachelors of science special education degrees: PreK-8 And Early Grades Preparation (PreK-4), PreK-8 And Middle Grades Preparation (4-8), and finally Grades 7-12. Each of these degrees combines theory and practice to provide students with practical grounding in teaching in the special education environment. Learn more by visiting the college website at wcupa.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 3.8% Loan Default
For teacher candidates interested in educating students with mild to severe disabilities, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania's Special Education and Rehabilitation degree prepares soon-to-be teachers with the knowledge, process and professionalism to instruct and assess all students in the inclusive classroom environment. Through their course of study, East Stroudsburg students will also fulfill the requirement of becoming a Highly Qualified teacher as state and federal law mandates. Learn more by visiting the college website at esu.cmsiq.com.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 5.2% Loan Default
University of Nebraska at Kearney has a unique and well-renowned program offered by their Department of Teacher Education. A major in special education is offered under the bachelor of arts in education degree heading, certifying teachers to teach students from K - 6 in the special education environment. Students who graduate from the program join the ranks of other highly motivated teachers who work to improve the lives of students with special needs every day. Learn more by visiting the college website at aaunk.unk.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 25-50 Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 4.5% Loan Default
Western Governors University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education which guides teachers toward a career instructing and assessing students with mild to moderate disabilities. Offered completely online, and carrying the NCATE accreditation, the program teaches both content knowledge and effective teaching practice in order for students to become a certified special education teacher for grades K - 12. Learn more by visiting the college website at wgu.edu.
- Private University
- 20,000+ Students
- 200+ Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 5.0% Loan Default
Students who graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire enter a job market that has a high need for qualified professionals who possess certification in both Special Education and Unified Early Childhood Education (birth to age 9). The program's renowned faculty work together to ensure that teacher candidates graduate with the integrity, competence and confidence to manage a special education environment in today's educational climate. Learn more by visiting the college website at uwf.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 7.5% Loan Default
Students who are pursuing their Bachelors of Education degree from Kutztown University have a special opportunity to spend their field placement opportunities in both mainstream and special education environments under the program's dual certification structure. In line with the Pennsylvania Department of Education's teacher credential guidelines, students graduate with the integrity and competence to assess and manage students with special needs in the modern school environment. Learn more by visiting the college website at kutztown.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 5.6% Loan Default
Georgia College and State University take steps to ensure that only the most committed candidates gain entry to the school's rigorous BS in Special Education degree program. Requiring commitment and integrity from each student, as well as prior professional experience with special populations, the program framework ensures that each student has a foundation in liberal arts and professional preparation, as well as a method to improve leadership and advocate for diversity and inclusion. This program offers a degree that leads to certification for teachers in Grades PK-12 and has been recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children. Learn more by visiting the college website at gcsu.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 25-50 Grads/Yr
- 3.2% Loan Default
Offering a Bachelor of Arts Degree in K-12 Special Education, students at University of North Carolina-Wilmington are able to choose from two streams: Adapted Curriculum or General Curriculum. Teachers are prepared to instruct and support students with learning and behavioral disabilities in the General Curriculum track, while those in the Adapted Curriculum are prepared to provide instruction and support for students with more severe disabilities. Both streams focus on inclusion and integrity in the classroom environment, fostered by teachers with excellent character and leadership skills. Learn more by visiting the college website at uncw.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 25-50 Grads/Yr
- 4.4% Loan Default