Special education teachers provide education in areas such as reading, writing and mathematics by adapting standard lessons to suit their students. They are called upon to design individualized lesson plans wherein lessons are adjusted to compensate for a student’s disability.

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The Value of a Master’s Degree in Special Education

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for special education teachers is projected to increase between 2012 and 2022; however, the number of teachers employed may be limited by government budgets. To find employment, teachers will have to enhance their resumes; they can do this by improving their skills and getting better qualifications. For teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in special education, this may mean acquiring a master’s degree. A number of institutions provide master’s degrees in special education, some of them can be earned online. The online format can provide them with the freedom to pursue their education on their own time; they can work and take care of their personal responsibilities while earning their degree. The choice of an online master’s in special education program is important. The student must first determine the right criteria (which will vary depending on their needs) and then investigate the programs offered by different schools. As they evaluate schools and programs, important general factors that all students should consider include:

Cost

Tuition costs are rising at three times the rate of inflation and a degree does not guarantee a high-paying job upon graduation. The cost of getting a master’s in special education is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a school.

Accreditation

This is an indicator of whether a particular institution provides programs that meet an acceptable standard of quality. An institution’s accredited status can also help students to secure financial aid.

Student Satisfaction

The satisfaction of students speaks to a school’s willingness to meet their needs and may reflect the likelihood of academic success. A school’s freshman retention rate is a good indicator of how satisfied students are.

Faculty Credentials

It is important that those who teach the special education program be educated and experienced. Ideally, they should have a graduate-level education along with experience administering a special education program.  Given the limitations of online classes, online instructors should be willing to put extra effort into ensuring that students learn as much as they would in a traditional classroom. Once a prospective student has come up with a shortlist of institutions, they should carefully research the faculty of each school to find the ones who are best qualified to teach.

Curriculum

A special education curriculum should have the same content as the one taught in a physical classroom. The goal is for there to be little difference between the education provided on campus and that provided on the Internet. Choosing a quality online master’s in special education program can advance a teacher’s career and make them better teachers. For these benefits to be realized, they will have to invest time and effort in research. The factors listed above can make their decision easier.