If you’re interested in furthering your career with a master’s in special education, you’re likely driven by a desire to make education accessible to students with disabilities — for example learners with intellectual disabilities and autism. That typically involves working with students in a teaching setting, but what might that look like in practice, and what other roles can this degree open up?

In short, a lot.

“Special education professionals are in high, high demand,” says Laudan Jahromi, Ph.D., chair and professor of psychology and education at Teachers College. As schools expand inclusive practices and emphasize individualized learning, districts and organizations increasingly seek professionals with the expertise to support all learners, including students with disabilities.

The fully online Master of Arts in Special Education: Intellectual Disabilities/Autism at Teachers College prepares you to meet a growing national need. Through specialized coursework, hands-on field experience, and faculty mentorship, this online program positions you to contribute meaningfully to the future of special education.

 “I don’t worry that our students won’t get a job. I worry they’ll have too many offers,” said Amanda Mazin, Ph.D., senior lecturer and practicum coordinator at TC. “Many students are offered jobs before they even graduate.”

Who should consider a master's in special education? Educators, career changes, and advocates.

Students in the program often bring lived insight, whether as professionals seeking more purposeful work or as family members of individuals with disabilities. That perspective adds depth to classroom discussions and a strong sense of connection to the field.

 “There are many career changers who realize this is what they’ve been interested in all along,” Jahromi said. “It’s never too late.”

The M.A. in special education online at TC integrates research, evidence-based practice, and real-world application. Courses also explore the history of disability rights along with the current laws, policies, and everyday realities that affect students and educators, equipping you to advocate effectively and ethically.

 “We start with what has worked empirically,” said Mazin, “but we expand that lens to focus on the individual’s needs and the broader community context.”

Master's in special education career options.

Teachers College’s M.A. in special education online program prepares you to teach students with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, and many other developmental disabilities, in a variety of classroom settings across all grade levels. As a graduate, you’ll earn New York State Students with Disabilities (All Grades) Initial Certification — and, thanks to reciprocity agreements, many students go on to  teach in other states. You’ll be equipped to work in settings that employ teachers of students with disabilities, for example:

• Inclusive classrooms: Collaborate with general education teachers to adapt curriculum, implement supports, and foster an environment where students with disabilities learn alongside their peers.
• Self-contained classrooms: Provide targeted instruction in smaller, specialized settings designed to meet intensive academic, behavioral, and social needs.
• Specialized schools: Join institutions dedicated entirely to supporting students with disabilities, where you can focus on personalized education plans and innovative teaching approaches, or other specialized settings like hospital classrooms, where learners receiving long-term medical care are educated.
• Home-based education: Deliver individualized instruction to students who receive educational services at home, often working closely with families to build comprehensive learning strategies.
• Consulting and push-in models: Serve as a mobile expert, traveling between schools to collaborate with classroom teachers, support inclusion efforts, and guide the use of evidence-based interventions.

“There’s a full array of placement options for students,” Mazin said.

Considering teaching outside New York? The state has reciprocity agreements with more than 40 others, so you may be able to use your certification elsewhere. That said, each state sets its own rules, and some may require additional teacher certification exams. Check with your state’s department of education to understand the full requirements. You’ll also need to apply separately for your state’s teaching certificate, license, or credential. Most departments of education will have a form on their website for verifying your completion of an approved teacher preparation program like the Online Special Education program.   TC can support you to complete that verification.  Just keep in mind that reciprocity and institutional support only apply to the coursework you complete as part of an approved program.

Gain the credentials and preparation to support learners with disabilities.

Master’s in special education jobs require both certification and significant practicum experience. As noted earlier, the TC online master’s program leads to New York State Initial Certification (All Grades) and helps you build the skills needed to be a special education teacher through rigorous coursework and hands-on fieldwork.

As part of the program, you’ll complete two supervised practicum experiences at local partner schools. Each is paired with a course that supports reflection, discussion, and pedagogical development. These placements are structured to expose you to a range of age groups and classroom settings, helping you develop a versatile, research-informed teaching practice.

This graduate program is also appropriate  for in-service educators who want to transition into special education or strengthen their impact in inclusive classrooms.

"We’re preparing students to be educators who can go into the classroom the next day and apply what they’ve learned in a meaningful and inclusive way," Jahromi said.

Mazin noted that many students have personal ties to individuals with disabilities, through family, caregiving, or professional experience. That perspective often leads to more engaged discussion and thoughtful collaboration.

“We follow a pedagogical trajectory that starts with looking at who the student is,” Mazin said, explaining how the curriculum builds from foundational knowledge to applied instruction in assessment, individualized curriculum, literacy, and STEM.

Learn to apply evidence-based strategies with purpose.

Future educators need to evaluate their instructional strategies based on the student, family, school, and broader community needs, according to Mazin. A master's in special education teaches you to assess the feasibility, ethics, and usefulness of different approaches — not just memorizing methods but understanding how and why they work.

Evidence-based practices refer to teaching methods and interventions that are grounded in rigorous research and have been shown to improve outcomes for specific populations of learners. These may include strategies for developing communication skills, managing classroom behavior, or building social-emotional learning, each backed by data and adapted to the individual needs of students.

For example, a teacher working with a student with autism who struggles with transitions might use a visual schedule paired with positive reinforcement — both evidence-based tools — to help build independence and reduce anxiety. Another educator might implement peer-mediated instruction to help a student with an intellectual disability practice social skills in a natural classroom setting.

“We prepare students to build their toolbox while they’re here,” Jahromi explained. “These tools are tried and true … demonstrating that they consistently support learner outcomes  in various contexts.”

Another defining element of the program is its focus on social validity — the idea that interventions should be not only evidence-based but also accepted and valued by those they’re intended to support.

“We’re thinking about: are the interventions effective, but also do they matter to the people we’re trying to serve — students, teachers, and families?” Jahromi said. “More and more of the work in the field is being informed by self-advocates — students with lived experiences, including those who have come through special education and their family members.” 

These insights have led to a field that is evolving and opening up new career paths in, for example, the areas of life skills and self-directed education, post-secondary transition education, and higher education support services and advocacy for adults with disabilities.

Prepare to make a meaningful impact.

Blending research, inquiry, and real-world application, TC’s program prepares you to become a thoughtful, responsive special education professional. You'll explore instructional approaches through a critical lens, evaluate emerging research, and make decisions that prioritize students’ individual needs.

"We’re preparing educators not only to use research-based strategies but to contribute to the knowledge base by engaging with inquiry themselves," said Jahromi.

You may also take part in inquiry-based learning opportunities, such as tele-assessments or observational studies, where they apply strategies in authentic settings and refine their approaches based on live feedback.

This mindset also shapes how you create inclusive classrooms — environments that honor students’ identities, experiences, and goals. Jahromi noted that teaching is not just about delivering content but about "connecting with learners in a way that respects who they are and how they learn."

“The mission of the online program in special education is rooted in those values that make a Teachers College education so special — our emphasis on the whole child, whole family, and whole community; our rich, multidisciplinary perspective; and our appreciation of practices that have been developed through authentic, community-based partnerships that have centered the voices of historically underserved communities.”

Mazin emphasized: “We’re teaching our teachers to look at all this information and make decisions on levels of support for the students they're working with.”

For example, one program graduate has worked in special education ever since earning his degree in 2014 and now leads a transition program at a Manhattan school for students with disabilities where he supports young adults to build life skills, career readiness, and independence.

Throughout TC’s graduate program, you’ll be supported by dedicated faculty, field placement assistance, and virtual resources like office hours, peer discussion forums, and research opportunities that foster collaboration and community. 

Faculty are not only extremely knowledgeable but also accessible and invested in your growth, offering consistent mentorship, individualized feedback, and weekly opportunities for connection. From academic advising to real-time feedback, you’ll have the structure and guidance you need to succeed.

Bring evidence-based teaching to life with an M.A. from Teachers College.

If you're looking to deepen your expertise in inclusive instruction, evidence-based practice, and ethical decision-making, the online M.A. in special education: intellectual disabilities/autism at Teachers College offers the preparation you need.

This fully online graduate program combines rigorous coursework, practicums, and guided reflection. You’ll learn how to support students with disabilities across a variety of settings while also considering the broader policy, community, and cultural contexts that shape their learning.

Designed for recent college graduates, working professionals, and career changers, the program offers flexible scheduling and personalized faculty support. All domestic candidates for TC’s programs leading to teacher certification are considered for TC’s Teachers’ Future Award scholarship, which can help cover tuition costs. See our Financial Aid webpage for more information.

Whether you're entering the classroom for the first time or advancing in your career, Teachers College offers the foundation to teach with insight, care, and purpose. Backed by more than 140 years of leadership in teacher preparation, TC is built on a legacy of equity, innovation, and community.

Learn more about the online M.A. in special education: intellectual disabilities/autism or start your application today.