Best institutions to study Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs
A program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children with special learning needs or disabilities who are in the secondary grades.
39 U.S. institutions graduated 492 Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1019, a specialization of Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.10), and leads most directly to the Special Education Teachers, Secondary School occupation (BLS SOC 25-2058).
About Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs programs
A program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children with special learning needs or disabilities who are in the secondary grades. Includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities; developing individual education plans; curriculum development, instructional strategies, and classroom management for secondary grades special education; content, methods, and modifications in specific subject areas; issues in vocational education; and promoting successful transitions to postsecondary settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs is designed for individuals who aspire to support students with special learning needs or disabilities in secondary education settings. This program equips future educators with the skills necessary to create inclusive learning environments tailored to diverse student needs.
Learn more about Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs →
Students in this program will gain knowledge in areas such as diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans (IEPs), and employing effective instructional strategies. Coursework also covers curriculum development and classroom management specific to secondary education.
Credentials awarded
What Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree375 graduates / yr · 25 institutions76%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate45 graduates / yr · 2 institutions9.1%
- Post-master's certificate30 graduates / yr · 5 institutions6.1%
- Bachelor's degree25 graduates / yr · 9 institutions5.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.3%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 200 |
| 2013 | 273 |
| 2014 | 450 |
| 2015 | 614 |
| 2016 | 418 |
| 2017 | 538 |
| 2018 | 546 |
| 2019 | 500 |
| 2020 | 491 |
| 2021 | 656 |
| 2022 | 560 |
| 2023 | 733 |
| 2024 | 823 |
| 2025 | 492 |
Top 39 institutions for Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 94 | 57% | — | — |
| 2 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicMaster's | 73 | 54% | — | — |
| 3 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NYPublicMaster's | 48 | 51% | — | — |
| 4 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, ARPublicPost-degree cert. | 43 | 37% | — | — |
| 5 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 22 | 33% | — | $16,737 |
| 6 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 82% | $38,931 | — |
| 7 | Bank Street College of Education New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 31% | $21,059 | — |
| 9 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NYPublicMaster's | 16 | 34% | — | — |
| 10 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 64% | — | $38,671 |
| 11 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NYPublicMaster's | 11 | 59% | — | — |
| 12 | Assumption University Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 75% | $24,206 | — |
| 13 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicMaster's | 8 | 53% | — | — |
| 14 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicMaster's | 8 | 41% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor's | 7 | 47% | — | $37,998 |
| 16 | Adelphi University Garden City, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 7 | 67% | $27,326 | — |
| 17 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicMaster's | 7 | 53% | — | — |
| 18 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
| 19 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 66% | $27,359 | — |
| 20 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 84% | $28,851 | $55,881 |
| 21 | Keuka College Keuka Park, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 58% | $24,177 | — |
| 22 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 5 | 70% | $25,812 | — |
| 23 | Niagara University Niagara University, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 75% | $17,048 | — |
| 24 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 49% | $29,887 | — |
| 25 | Upper Iowa University Fayette, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 34% | $22,697 | $44,304 |
| 26 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 46% | $17,604 | — |
| 27 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 75% | $25,675 | — |
| 28 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 83% | — | — |
| 29 | Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 64% | $19,806 | $41,324 |
| 30 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 69% | $27,376 | — |
| 31 | Manhattanville University Purchase, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 58% | $23,949 | — |
| 32 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicMaster's | 2 | 68% | — | — |
| 33 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NYPublicMaster's | 2 | 60% | — | — |
| 34 | La Salle University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 57% | $21,997 | $48,302 |
| 35 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 67% | $27,455 | — |
| 36 | McNeese State University Lake Charles, LAPublicMaster's | 1 | 47% | — | — |
| 37 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 1 | 17% | — | — |
| 38 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NYPublicMaster's | 1 | 69% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Charleston Charleston, WVPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 46% | $21,939 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Special Education and Teaching field (CIP 13.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 15 states
Where Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs graduates come from. Each state links to all Special Education and Teaching programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 22 | 370 | CUNY Hunter College94 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 43 | Henderson State University43 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 17 | Florida Memorial University17 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 16 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus16 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 9 | Chestnut Hill College4 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 9 | Assumption University9 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 7 | University of Nebraska at Omaha7 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 7 | Portland State University7 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 3 | Spring Arbor University2 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 3 | Upper Iowa University3 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 2 | University of Connecticut2 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Seton Hall University2 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 2 | Shenandoah University2 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 1 | McNeese State University1 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | University of Charleston1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2058, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program often pursue careers as Special Education Teachers in secondary schools or Education Teachers at the postsecondary level. While the job outlook shows a slight decline at -1.6%, there are approximately 11,100 annual openings, with a median wage of $69,590 for special education teachers requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1019
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schoolprimary SOC 25-2058 | $74,260 | -1.6% Decline | ~11,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
- Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Special Education and Teaching specializations
The 17 other 6-digit CIP codes under Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.10).
- Special Education and TeachingCIP 13.100122,668 graduates / yr664 institutions
- Education/CIP 13.1015
Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 3,949 graduates / yr154 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1017
Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs 1,718 graduates / yr70 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1007
Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 1,466 graduates / yr28 institutions - Special Education and TeachingCIP 13.10991,365 graduates / yr82 institutions
- Education/CIP 13.1013
Teaching of Individuals with Autism 1,077 graduates / yr74 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1004
Teaching of the Gifted and Talented 506 graduates / yr54 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1011
Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 470 graduates / yr41 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1012
Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 344 graduates / yr13 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1003
Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness 251 graduates / yr32 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1009
Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness 204 graduates / yr14 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1005
Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 147 graduates / yr22 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1014
Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed partial data101 graduates / yr8 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1006
Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 62 graduates / yr12 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1008
Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments partial data55 graduates / yr4 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1018
Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/ Middle School Special Education Programs partial data36 graduates / yr7 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1016
Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries limited data29 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Post-master's certificate, or a Bachelor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 39 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in learning strategies, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for special education teachers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.6%, but there are still about 11,100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs?+
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs is CIP 13.1019 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.10). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children with special learning needs or disabilities who are in the secondary grades. Includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities; developing individual education plans; curriculum development, instructional strategies, and classroom management for secondary grades special education; content, methods, and modifications in specific subject areas; issues in vocational education; and promoting successful transitions to postsecondary settings.
How many institutions offer Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs programs?+
39 U.S. institutions reported Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 492 credentials in the year. That is 1.4% of all Special Education and Teaching graduates.
How much do Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Special Education Teachers, Secondary School occupation, which Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,260 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Special Education and Teaching field report median earnings of $41,324 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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