Online Special Education Degrees

100% Online Courses

3 Program Options

Hands-On Classroom Experience

K-12 Minnesota Licensure

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Programs Curriculum Careers

Prepare for a Successful Career in Special Education

Become a licensed special education teacher in the state of Minnesota and build the skill set you need to help all students achieve positive learning outcomes. Southwest Minnesota State University offers a range of accredited, fully online special education programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Whether you want to work with learners in early childhood or grades K-12, you can grow your expertise in an innovative, supportive environment led by passionate education experts.

  • Approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
  • No previous teaching experience required
  • All programs lead to initial licensure for special education in Minnesota
  • Learn from faculty who are leaders in the field

Explore Your Program Options

Whether you are looking for programs at the undergraduate or graduate level, SMSU offers academic excellence in a flexible format designed for adult learners.

Online | 2-4 Years Completion | 80-81 Major Credit Hours

Build a strong foundation working with infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities from the time of their birth through the age of six. Graduate ready to earn your ECSE license so you can work with at-risk children and their parents (birth through 35 months) in a home-based setting or teach children ages 3-6 who have special needs in an early childhood setting.

Online | 2-4 Years Completion | 69-70 Major Credit Hours

Complete the coursework and field experiences necessary to gain your Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) licensure. Graduates of the B.S. in Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist Program will be able to teach K-12 special education for students with mild to moderate disabilities.

Online | 2 Years Completion | 54-60 Credit Hours

Complete the M.S. in Special Education with the knowledge and field experiences needed to meet the needs of a special education classroom for children K-12 and obtain Minnesota state teaching licensure in one or more of the following areas: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Academic Behavioral Strategist, Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, or Learning Disabilities.

About Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University is committed to preparing you for both personal and professional success through its quality liberal arts education. Recognized for its inclusive and student-centered academics, SMSU is a university of choice with high national rankings, affordable tuition rates, and scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future. Become part of our community today!

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Learn Online with SMSU

Completing your education while maintaining your personal commitments can be challenging. With SMSU, however, you can earn your degree online and on your schedule through an interactive, virtual platform. You’ll receive the same rigorous education offered on campus, but at the time of your choice and from anywhere internet is available.

Comprehensive Education for Future Educators

Our online special education degrees feature a combination of innovative teaching theory and practical field experiences. You’ll study the latest research and approaches specific to special education students and graduate with the specialized training you need for success.

Help Minnesota Students Thrive

In a 2023 report, Minnesota’s Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board found that 84 percent of school districts are significantly impacted by the teacher shortage.1 Meet the demand for skilled educators and turn your passion for helping young learners into a meaningful career with SMSU.

Top Special Education Careers

  1. Special Education Teacher: $62,950 per year2
  2. Behavioral Analyst: $70,255 per year3
  3. Instructional Coordinator: $66,490 per year2
  4. Early Childhood Special Education Teacher: $43,404 per year4

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Sources

  1. Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. 2023 Biennial Report: Supply & Demand of Teachers in Minnesota. Retrieved from https://mn.gov/pelsb.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Education, Training, and Library Occupations. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/.
  3. Payscale.com. Average Behavior Analyst Salary. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com.
  4. Payscale.com. Average Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Salary. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com.