Special Education
Online Master's Program
Whether you’re a practicing teacher or new to the field, our special education teaching program will provide you with the skills and training to lead in the classroom and help special needs children to realize their greatest potential.
In this Exemplary Program (as certified by Quality Matters), you’ll learn from experienced professionals and receive practical training from mentor teachers in local schools. Graduates will have mastery of the Council for Exceptional Children standards for special education teachers: learner development and individual learning differences, learning environments, curricular content knowledge, assessment, instructional planning and strategies, professional learning and ethical practice and collaboration.
Special education teachers are in high demand and jobs for our graduates are practically guaranteed. If you’re not already a certified teacher, you can earn initial teaching certification along with the master’s degree. If you are a certified regular education teacher, you can earn a special education endorsement along with the master’s degree.
What Is Special Education?
Special education programs are designed to meet the individual learning needs of students with learning, mental, emotional or physical disabilities. Special education teachers work with students in groups and one-on-one. They assess students’ needs, develop lesson plans, track student progress and collaborate with parents and other teachers.
The number of special education students in schools has increased dramatically in recent years, with autism and similar disabilities accounting for much of the growth. As a result, there is strong demand for teachers in the field.
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Why Study Special Education at UAF?
Special education teachers make a crucial difference in the lives of children with special needs. Earning your master’s degree will enrich your skills as an educator and provide the foundation for career advancement. Here are reasons to earn your master’s in special education online at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
As a full-time working mom, it was important for me to be able to participate in the program via the online opportunities that UAF provides. This program provided me the flexibility, expertise, convenience and knowledge needed to become a special educator.Ashley Walley, Special Education Pre-K Teacher at Anderson Elementary on Eielson Air Force Base
The UAF waiver program honored my past teaching experience and allowed me to transition from the regular education classroom to teaching special education while working on my Special Education Endorsement. The classes I took while completing my endorsement were doubly meaningful because I was instantly putting into practice the skills and procedures I was learning. It was a great way to enter the field of special education.Paul Grecci, Teacher at Pearl Creek Elementary
I have already been able to implement the knowledge from my special education degree in my new career. The department has adjunct faculty who are involved in the district, which made networking easy.Mercedes Anderson, Special Education Pre-K Teacher in Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
The UAF special education program is a professional and personalized course of study for teaching children with special needs. From academics to healthy life skills, the program prepares one for a career in special education.Paolo Morotti, Student Intern
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Special Education?
School districts in Alaska need special education teachers. In fact, the city of Fairbanks ranks third in the nation for metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs for special education teachers at the kindergarten and elementary school level.
Earning your special education master’s degree will help you develop your professional teaching skills and open the door to new career pathways. It’s also a great way to boost your earning potential. The salary of special education teachers with a master’s degree will typically be at the higher end of the salary ranges.
What Classes Are Required for the Online Master’s in Special Education?
The special education teaching program includes specific training in the areas of disabilities, assessment, intervention strategies, current law and the implementation of programs including development of legally defensible federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) documents.
Get Started on Your Online Master’s in Special Education
Take the next step toward earning your master’s in special education online at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We have the resources to help you get started.