Advance Your Career With an Online Special Education Degree

Online Format

Affordable Tuition

Scholarship
Available

Expert Instruction

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Programs Curriculum Careers

Add Versatility to Your Teaching Career

Pursue a teaching career or change your teaching area with an online master’s in special education, temporary special education certificate (TSEC), Alternative Class A certification program or EdS degree from the University of West Alabama. With these online special education degree programs, you can study in a flexible online environment at one of Alabama’s oldest and most prestigious universities.

  • The University of West Alabama is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
  • The Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education’s educator preparation programs are approved by the Alabama Department of Education.
  • All educator certification programs are nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
  • UWA Online is proud to offer tuition that is among the most affordable in the state.

Online Special Education Programs

Discover new career opportunities with a special education degree or certificate.

Online | 1-2 Years | 6-8 Week Courses

Prepare to teach in a collaborative classroom or inclusive setting as you learn how to provide developmentally appropriate instruction to K-6 students who have cognitive, behavioral, physical or multiple disabilities. Topics include educational planning, statistics, technology, communication skills and more.

Online | 1-2 Years | 6-8 Week Courses

Learn to provide developmentally appropriate instruction to students with cognitive, behavioral, physical or multiple disabilities. You will study educational planning, statistics, technology, communication skills and other topics as you prepare to teach in collaborative classrooms or inclusive settings.

Online | 1-2 Years | 6-8 Week Courses

Enhance your understanding of trends and issues in the education of students in kindergarten through sixth grade who have cognitive, behavioral, physical or multiple disabilities. The EdS program is ideal for educators seeking specialized qualifications for becoming instructional coordinators or curriculum specialists. Additionally, this program offers a post-master’s education and a Class AA Professional Certificate.

Online | 1-2 Years | 6-8 Week Courses

Take a deep look at trends and issues in the education of students with cognitive, behavioral, physical or multiple disabilities. The EdS program offers a post-master’s education and a Class AA Professional Certificate. It is ideal for educators wanting to prepare for instructional coordinator or curriculum specialist roles.

Online | 2 years | 6-8 Week Courses

This program provides you with master’s level teaching certification in Alabama and a Master of Education (MEd) degree. The Alternative Class A (K–6) program is ideal for those who want to pursue a teaching career or change their teaching area to work with children with disabilities in kindergarten to sixth grade. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA from a regionally accredited institution.

Online | 2 years | 6-8 Week Courses

This program provides you with master’s level teaching certification in Alabama and a Master of Education (MEd) degree. The Alternative Class A (6–12) program is ideal for those who want to pursue a teaching career or change their teaching area to work with students with disabilities in grades 6 to 12. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA from a regionally accredited institution.

Online | 1 Year | 6-8 Week Courses

Gain the skills required to teach collaborative special education in just one year. This program allows you to teach while taking five courses and being employed as a collaborative special education teacher in grades 6-12. As you practice working with special education students, you’ll fulfill the requirements for a Class B certificate and prepare for the Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications Praxis exam.

About Us

UWA is located in the heart of Livingston on the western border of the state. As one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in Alabama, we’ve been helping students pursue their dreams and goals since 1835. Join more than 3,500 online learners and take advantage of our tradition of excellence with our flexible online programs.

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Where Flexibility Meets Quality

UWA designs online classes to provide the flexibility to balance school and work commitments. The courses offer the same rigor found on campus, so you can engage in quality education to prepare for career success. As you take classes online, your success coach will offer guidance and assist with your questions.

Hone Your Skills for Success in Special Education

Develop competencies for providing developmentally appropriate education in collaborative and inclusive settings with UWA Online. You can study strategies for teaching special needs students and overseeing behavioral management in online programs that help you achieve your goals on your schedule.

Advance Your Special Education Career

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that schools will need nearly 500,000 special education teachers by 2031.1 UWA’s special education programs prepare you to meet the urgent need for classroom teachers and leaders ready to enhance curricula to the learning needs of students.

Special Education Career Paths

  1. Elementary Special Education Teacher: $61,640 per year1
  2. High School Special Education Teacher: $62,120 per year1
  3. Middle School Special Education Teacher: $61,820 per year1
  4. Preschool Special Education Teacher: $62,420 per year1
  5. Child Care Center Director: $46,818 per year2

Save with the Teacher Connect Scholarship

Earn up to $50 off per credit hour with the Teacher Connect scholarship at UWA. Apply your scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate online education degree. You must work in a school system participating in Teacher Connect and maintain other eligibility requirements.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Special Education Teachers.” Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  2. Payscale. “Average Child Care Center Director Salary.” Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/.