10 Affordable Online Master's in Special Ed & Autism Degrees 2025

You can prepare to become a special education teacher by earning a bachelor's degree or a master's in special education. The latter can be a great option if you wish to qualify to teach in a greater number of schools in the district of your choice. We'd like to help you explore graduate special education programs, including online programs, which do not charge high tuition rates.

What Is an Online Master's Degree in Special Education?

An online master's degree in special education prepares you for state certifications and eventually employment as a special education teacher. Most graduate programs will include plenty of coursework covering topics like teaching children with disabilities, behavior intervention, and at least one training practicum to build field experience.

Many education colleges offer various versions of these degrees. You may encounter degree programs, such as a Master of Education (MEd) in special education or a master's in autism spectrum disorders. Our list of universities below includes those that offer a master's in autism online for those who wish to focus on specific forms of education and care.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree in Special Education Cost?

Online learners can often find programs that cost much less than traditional on-campus degrees. While some master's degrees in this field could cost over $30,000, it's possible to attend an online or hybrid school for less than $12,000. This is true for obtaining a master's in special education, a master's in autism disorders, or a master's in autism and developmental disabilities online. Students can further reduce costs with scholarships and grants.

Cheapest Online Master's in Special Education and Autism Programs

Here are a few universities offering a master's degree online at affordable tuition rates. Each college of education has academic accreditation, financial aid opportunities, and either online or hybrid academic programs.

1. Ball State University

Ball State University ranks #11 for online graduate education programs, according to U.S. News & World Report. This includes its Master of Arts (MA) in special education. Its admission requirements do not include GRE scores, and upon enrollment, you can specialize in one of seven concentrations, including autism, deaf education, mild intervention, and early childhood special education.

• Estimated tuition cost: $299 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Ball State's website has a section for ''funding your education,'' which describes ways to get financial aid and scholarships for graduate school.
• Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

2. Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) offers a Master of Science (MS) in special education with an autism endorsement. Prospective students must begin the application process in June to qualify for the fall semester in August.

This degree program trains graduate students in several essential competencies, such as instructional technology in special education, supervision and leadership, and special education research.

• Estimated tuition cost: $455.64 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The program website mentions three funding sources: the TEACH Grant, tuition reimbursement, and an autism endorsement tuition program.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama has a fully online MA in special education, which requires 30 to 36 hours for degree completion. This program includes a practicum experience, and there are no application deadlines. Incoming students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from all other college programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $480 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Alabama has at least six institutional scholarships, including UA Online Scholarships and a ''Roll Tide Referral.''
• Accreditation: CAEP

4. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University's special education master's concentrates on teaching, learning, and leadership. It includes a 100% online curriculum focusing extensively on applied behavior analysis. The university recommends a summer start date where graduate students take about two classes per semester with the option to modify the pace at any time.

• Estimated tuition cost: $489.00 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate students are eligible to apply for scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
• Accreditation: CAEP

5. Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University (CCU) offers a special education master's degree with either a licensure or non-licensure track. The former takes 38 credit hours to finish, whereas the latter requires 43 credit hours. CCU also has a 41-credit-hour ''generalist endorsement.''

• Estimated tuition cost: $494 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can finance their graduate education by obtaining scholarships, grants, and education loans.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

6. Liberty University

Liberty University has an MEd program for special education, which concentrates on curriculum and instruction. This trains graduates for rewarding careers as educational consultants, special education supervisors, and special education testers. You can complete your education faster by transferring credits for up to 50% of the total degree requirements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $545 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate students can qualify for lower tuition by taking courses full time or by leveraging their former military status.
• Accreditation: CAEP

7. University of Kansas

The University of Kansas offers a master's degree and graduate certificate in special education with a focus in autism, high-incidence disabilities, secondary special education, and leadership. This program is fully online and uses novel virtual-reality applications to teach special education with simulation practices.

• Estimated tuition cost: $595 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The financial aid website mentions awards of up to $4,000 by applying for the TEACH Grant.
• Accreditation: CAEP

8. The University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus has an entirely online format for its MA in special education. This features short six-week courses where full-time working professionals can finish one class at a time. Program applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA in prior coursework to qualify for admission.

• Estimated tuition cost: $600 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This online university offers scholarships, grants, and funding through academic and institutional partnerships.
• Accreditation: CAEP

9. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia (UVA) has an MEd for special education, designed to train new special education leaders, teachers, and board-certified behavior analysts. Full-time students can complete this program within just one year, whereas part-time students may take about two to three years to finish.

• Estimated tuition cost: $640 per credit hour
• Financial aid: UVA has several funding resources like teacher fellowships, scholarships, and even community service fellowships.
• Accreditation: CAEP

10. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a master's in special education with coursework you can take in 10-week sessions. It includes course topics like evidence-based research for special education, educational leadership, curriculum design, and expressive language skills.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Financial aid: You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to become eligible for grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

How We Rank Schools

This section shows how we rank schools that offer a master's in special education online. Each degree program must have accreditation, affordable tuition, and a good program reputation.

• Accreditation: The university must receive auditing and program review by a reputable accreditor, such as HLC.
• Affordability: These programs must charge less than $1,000 per credit hour for tuition.
• Program reputation: Faculty members hold advanced credentials and have the expertise to train students in the best evidence-based practices in the field of special education.

What To Expect From an Online Master's in Special Education Degree

You can expect to take between 10 and 15 courses to complete an MEd or MS in this field. Most program requirements include field experience through a supervised practicum. Graduate students normally specialize in sub-fields such as emotional-behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, or low-incidence disabilities.

FAQs About Low-Cost Special Education and Autism Master's Degrees

Check out these five frequently asked questions (FAQs) for obtaining a special education master's degree online. These questions explore whether these degrees are worth it, which jobs you can get after graduation, program difficulty, and program duration.

Is an Online Master's in Special Education Worth It?

Yes, this can be a very rewarding field because many school districts have a shortage of special-ed teachers all across America. Granted, this career field only suits those who possess plenty of patience and the ability to troubleshoot behavioral difficulties with children with special needs.

What Can I Do With a Master's in Special Education Degree?

There are several positions you may qualify for after graduating with a master's in special education and obtaining a teaching license. You can find employment as a special education teacher, board certified behavior analyst, early intervention analyst, applied behavior analyst, consultant, and more. Many graduates land jobs at public schools, private schools, or even within a state's department of education.

What Can I Do With a Master's in Autism Degree?

The employment landscape for degree holders in this field is a lot like earning a special education master's degree. You may find full-time or part-time work in important roles, such as counseling, intervention, therapy, or as a program administrator for autism-related services.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Special Education Master's Degree Online?

It takes about two years to finish a master's degree program in this field. Some colleges offer a graduate certificate roughly halfway through the process, while others allow you to complete courses at an accelerated rate in an online learning environment, which may lead to completing your degree faster.

Is It Hard To Get a Master's in Special Education?

Prospective students should know that this is an advanced graduate-level degree, which implies a certain degree of academic rigor. An online master's of special education program will include difficult assignments, tests, and evaluations to ensure you qualify for the delicate work of teaching and supervising disabled children and individuals.

Discover Online Special Education Degrees

Learn.org specializes in helping you find the best online degree program for special education, early childhood education, and other fields. Use our resources to identify suitable bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, professional licensure programs, and more.