Special Education Teaching: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Special Education Teaching prepares educators to support students with diverse learning needs through individualized instruction, evidence-based strategies, and inclusive classroom practices. This program equips professionals with the expertise to design and implement tailored educational plans for learners across a range of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical disabilities.
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): Develop, manage, and evaluate customized learning plans that align with student goals, legal requirements, and academic standards.
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Apply flexible instructional frameworks that promote accessibility and engagement for all learners, regardless of ability.
- Behavioral Intervention Strategies: Implement proactive and data-driven approaches to support positive behavior and reduce barriers to learning.
- Assessment and Evaluation Methods: Utilize diagnostic, formative, and summative tools to monitor student progress and inform instructional decisions.
- Collaborative Teaching Models: Work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including general education teachers, counselors, and therapists, to deliver cohesive support.
- Legal and Ethical Standards in Special Education: Navigate federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure compliance and equitable access.
- Instructional Adaptation and Technology Integration: Leverage assistive technologies and adaptive resources to enhance learning outcomes and promote independence.
Special Education Teaching Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Special Education Teaching Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Special Education Teaching degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Special Education Teachers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 98,440 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other 25-2059 | $67,430 | $43,220 - $109,360 | 39,350 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Special Education Teaching Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,385 in West Virginia to $89,935 in New York—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, California, and Alaska. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 98,440 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Special Education Teaching by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 75 institutions offering Special Education Teaching programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Special Education Teaching is found at University of St Thomas (101 graduates), Molloy College (66 graduates), Auburn University (AU) (59 graduates), Pima Community College (PCC) (49 graduates), and Arkansas State University (A-State) (48 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,070 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of St Thomas |
Master's
|
101 |
SAT: 1223-1416 ACT: 25-30 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| Molloy College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
66 |
SAT: 1080-1310 ACT: 24-29 |
Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
59 |
SAT: 1240-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
49 | N/A | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
48 |
SAT: 1030-1180 ACT: 19-25 |
Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
47 |
SAT: 1090-1330 ACT: 22-28 |
Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 1070-1240 ACT: 18-26 |
Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| Northwestern College (NWC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
35 | N/A | Orange City, Iowa | Private | nwciowa.edu |
| Canisius University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | N/A | Buffalo, New York | Private | canisius.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
27 | N/A | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Worcester State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | SAT: 1008-1280 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | worcester.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
20 |
SAT: 1060-1240 ACT: 21-26 |
Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| Saint Peter's University (SPU) |
Master's
|
20 | N/A | Jersey City, New Jersey | Private | saintpeters.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Master's
|
19 | SAT: 860-1160 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| University of Saint Joseph (USJ) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 | SAT: 960-1250 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | usj.edu |
| Alvernia University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | SAT: 1066-1253 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Private | alvernia.edu |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | N/A | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | ndm.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Master's
|
16 | N/A | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| Rider University |
Postbac Cert.
|
15 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 22-29 |
Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | ACT: 17-24 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Pacific University |
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 990-1240 ACT: 17-28 |
Forest Grove, Oregon | Private | pacificu.edu |
| Lincoln University |
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 870-1050 ACT: 18-22 |
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania | Public | lincoln.edu |
| Barry University |
Master's
|
14 | N/A | Miami, Florida | Private | barry.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | N/A | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) |
Master's
|
14 | SAT: 1090-1255 | Newburgh, New York | Private | msmc.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 1050-1200 ACT: 20-26 |
Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Neumann University |
Master's
|
14 | N/A | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
| Albizu University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | N/A | Miami, Florida | Private | albizu.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1020-1220 ACT: 22-28 |
Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1130-1328 ACT: 24-29 |
New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
12 |
SAT: 1195-1370 ACT: 26-31 |
Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Dakota State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1020-1340 ACT: 20-26 |
Madison, South Dakota | Public | dsu.edu |
| Hood College |
Bachelor's
|
11 | N/A | Frederick, Maryland | Private | hood.edu |
| Shawnee State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | N/A | Portsmouth, Ohio | Public | shawnee.edu |
| Alverno College |
Master's
|
11 | N/A | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | alverno.edu |
| Marian University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | N/A | Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin | Private | marianuniversity.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 1190-1460 ACT: 27-34 |
West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Brenau University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 990-1170 ACT: 17-23 |
Gainesville, Georgia | Private | brenau.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 |
SAT: 1010-1230 ACT: 22-27 |
Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Post-Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1170-1330 ACT: 25-30 |
Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
10 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 21-27 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Carthage College |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1000-1205 ACT: 19-26 |
Kenosha, Wisconsin | Private | carthage.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 820-1090 ACT: 21-29 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Other Award
|
8 | ACT: 20-25 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Lasell University |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1085-1260 ACT: 18-26 |
Newton, Massachusetts | Private | lasell.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 |
SAT: 1110-1290 ACT: 22-27 |
Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 940-1170 ACT: 20-26 |
California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| Minot State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 930-1180 ACT: 18-24 |
Minot, North Dakota | Public | minotstateu.edu |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 21-28 |
Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | uccs.edu |
| Piedmont University |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 990-1170 ACT: 18-24 |
Demorest, Georgia | Private | piedmont.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Other Award
|
5 | N/A | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-31 |
Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Catawba College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1010-1186 ACT: 20-25 |
Salisbury, North Carolina | Private | catawba.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | N/A | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 875-1070 ACT: 15-18 |
Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana | Private | smwc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 22-27 |
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | SAT: 1140-1420 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| Manhattanville College |
Master's
|
3 | N/A | Purchase, New York | Private | mville.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1160-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Master's
|
2 | ACT: 18-25 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 20-27 |
Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Carlow University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | N/A | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 940-1130 ACT: 19-25 |
Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 | N/A | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| Hamline University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 |
SAT: 1146-1393 ACT: 20-28 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| Lincoln University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Jefferson City, Missouri | Public | lincolnu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 26-30 |
Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Marist College |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1220-1360 ACT: 27-30 |
Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | marist.edu |
| Lancaster Bible College (LBC) |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1080-1270 ACT: 21-23 |
Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | lbc.edu |
| Augustana University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1075-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | augie.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
1 | N/A | Mercedita, Puerto Rico | Private | ponce.inter.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Guayama, Puerto Rico | Private | guayama.inter.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Special Education Teaching programs
How much can I earn with a Special Education Teaching degree?
Salaries for Special Education Teaching graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Special Education Teachers, All Other earn around $67,430. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $89,935 compared to $48,385 in West Virginia. Approximately 98,440 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Special Education Teaching programs?
Currently 75 accredited institutions offer Special Education Teaching degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of St Thomas (101 graduates), Molloy College (66 graduates), and Auburn University (AU) (59 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Special Education Teaching growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,165 in 2010 to a peak of 2,333 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,070 in 2023-24. This represents a 8% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Special Education Teaching degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 98,440 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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