Best institutions to study Special Education and Teaching
A general program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as special education teachers in a collaborative or team environment.
664 U.S. institutions graduated 22,668 Special Education and Teaching students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1001, a specialization of Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.10), and leads most directly to the Special Education Teachers, Preschool occupation (BLS SOC 25-2051).
About Special Education and Teaching programs
A general program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as special education teachers in a collaborative or team environment. Includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counseling, and applicable laws and policies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Special Education and Teaching program focuses on designing and providing educational services tailored for children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities. This program prepares individuals to work as special education teachers in collaborative environments, equipping them with the necessary skills to support diverse learners effectively.
Students in this program will learn to diagnose learning disabilities, develop individual education plans (IEPs), and implement special educational strategies. Coursework emphasizes essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, ensuring graduates can meet the unique needs of their students.
Credentials awarded
What Special Education and Teaching graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree15,084 graduates / yr · 457 institutions67%
- Bachelor's degree5,132 graduates / yr · 341 institutions23%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1,519 graduates / yr · 100 institutions6.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year383 graduates / yr · 30 institutions1.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship216 graduates / yr · 52 institutions1.0%
- Post-master's certificate209 graduates / yr · 32 institutions0.9%
- Associate's degree92 graduates / yr · 16 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years24 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Special Education and Teaching completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 24,282 |
| 2013 | 22,693 |
| 2014 | 21,409 |
| 2015 | 20,050 |
| 2016 | 20,302 |
| 2017 | 19,329 |
| 2018 | 19,669 |
| 2019 | 19,775 |
| 2020 | 21,657 |
| 2021 | 23,904 |
| 2022 | 23,279 |
| 2023 | 22,273 |
| 2024 | 21,670 |
| 2025 | 22,668 |
Top 50 institutions for Special Education and Teaching, 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 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster's | 1,468 | 0% | — | — |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 1,362 | 43% | $21,535 | $43,258 |
| 3 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 1,216 | 46% | $11,580 | $46,271 |
| 4 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 427 | 62% | — | $47,499 |
| 5 | American College of Education Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 418 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 412 | 37% | — | — |
| 7 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 402 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 8 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 383 | 59% | — | $46,643 |
| 9 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 343 | 43% | — | — |
| 10 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 309 | 50% | $11,672 | — |
| 11 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 278 | 51% | — | $49,827 |
| 12 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 273 | 68% | — | — |
| 13 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 245 | 65% | $28,911 | $39,699 |
| 14 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 243 | 69% | $17,134 | $35,041 |
| 15 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 196 | 66% | — | $43,480 |
| 16 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 188 | 65% | — | $48,358 |
| 17 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 179 | 54% | — | $47,132 |
| 18 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 165 | 30% | $18,904 | — |
| 19 | Alder Graduate School of Education Redwood City, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 153 | — | — | — |
| 20 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoralMaster's | 141 | 91% | — | — |
| 21 | University of West Alabama Livingston, ALPublicMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 131 | 35% | — | — |
| 22 | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJPublicMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 130 | 86% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 123 | 69% | — | — |
| 24 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 122 | 68% | — | $49,882 |
| 25 | Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 120 | — | — | — |
| 26 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 120 | 69% | — | $53,331 |
| 27 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicMaster's | 116 | 48% | — | — |
| 28 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 116 | 53% | — | $50,061 |
| 29 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 115 | 51% | — | $44,009 |
| 30 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 113 | 74% | — | $36,598 |
| 31 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OKPublicMaster's | 112 | 32% | — | — |
| 32 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 111 | 58% | — | $38,250 |
| 33 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 107 | 44% | — | — |
| 34 | Touro University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 107 | 72% | $27,110 | — |
| 35 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 106 | 60% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 101 | 78% | — | $48,147 |
| 37 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster'sDoctoral | 101 | 59% | — | $61,474 |
| 38 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 101 | 64% | — | $46,508 |
| 39 | Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 100 | 64% | — | $45,167 |
| 40 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicMaster's | 98 | 58% | — | $47,868 |
| 41 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 96 | 69% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 94 | 21% | $15,478 | — |
| 43 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 93 | 52% | — | $40,012 |
| 44 | Georgetown College Georgetown, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 89 | 49% | $12,666 | — |
| 45 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 86 | 35% | $18,316 | — |
| 46 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 84 | 55% | — | — |
| 47 | Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJPublicMaster's | 84 | 70% | — | — |
| 48 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 84 | 64% | — | $38,671 |
| 49 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 84 | 51% | — | — |
| 50 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 84 | 54% | — | $50,159 |
* 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 54 states & territories
Where Special Education and Teaching graduates come from. Each state links to all Special Education and Teaching programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2051, Special Education Teachers, Preschool, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Special Education and Teaching program can pursue careers as special education teachers across various educational levels. The job outlook indicates little or no change in employment, with approximately 2,100 annual openings and a median wage of $62,190. A typical entry-level requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1001
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, Preschoolprimary SOC 25-2051 | $64,830 | +1.4% Little or no change | ~2,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School SOC 25-2058 | $74,260 | -1.6% Decline | ~11,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Special Education Teachers, Middle School SOC 25-2057 | $66,810 | -1.9% Decline | ~6,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Special Education Teachers, All Other SOC 25-2059 | $76,580 | +1.1% Little or no change | ~2,900 | Bachelor's degree |
SOC 25-2055 | — | — | — | — |
SOC 25-2056 | — | — | — | — |
SOC 25-9043 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Special Education and Teaching 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
- Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
- Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, or social skills, to preschool students with special needs.
- Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
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).
- 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 13.1019
Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 492 graduates / yr39 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 Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and learning strategies tailored for special education.
What is the job outlook for special education teachers?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 2,100 annual openings expected.
What is the average salary for special education teachers?+
The median wage for special education teachers is approximately $62,190.
What is the CIP code for Special Education and Teaching?+
Special Education and Teaching is CIP 13.1001 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 general program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as special education teachers in a collaborative or team environment. Includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counseling, and applicable laws and policies.
How many institutions offer Special Education and Teaching programs?+
664 U.S. institutions reported Special Education and Teaching graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 54 states & territories, awarding 22,668 credentials in the year. That is 64.9% of all Special Education and Teaching graduates.
How much do Special Education and Teaching graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Special Education Teachers, Preschool occupation, which Special Education and Teaching most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,830 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Special Education and Teaching field report median earnings of $44,664 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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