As inclusivity guidelines and protections for non-neurotypical learners become more stringent, the need for qualified and motivated special education educators grows even more. If you’ve worked with special needs populations for some time, you’ve likely heard of endorsement programs. In this article, our team of researchers and writers intend to provide you with the information you need to make an educated decision on your journey to completing a Special Education endorsement.
Originally published: October 2018
Last Updated: March 2024
Endorsement programs allow for currently licensed teachers to gain greater exposure to a specific subset of teaching skills. Some students earn an endorsement through a graduate degree program like a master’s degree in autism spectrum disorders. There are also specialized programs that are tailored to students seeking a specific endorsement. These programs often require between 3 and 6 courses for completion and meet state standards for being “endorsed” to teach in a specialized area.
What it takes to become endorsed varies from state to state, though many endorsement programs from outside of your state may be used to meet endorsement guidelines for your state. While you may attend endorsement programs offered anywhere online, it’s best to check your state guidelines regarding endorsement standards against the courses offered at the university you’re looking at. When in doubt, contact someone from your state licensing office.
Related Rankings and Valuable Resources:
- 10 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Special Education Degree Programs
- 50 Best Books on Special Education
Methodology
We’ve looked at all online special education endorsement programs in the nation and compared them according to the academic quality of their parent institutions and education schools, their affordability, and their flexibility.
The 10 Best Special Education Endorsement Programs
1.) Concordia University Nebraska
Concordia University Nebraska (CUNE) is a private university offering undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs online and in-person. CUNE is associated with the Lutheran Church and is part of the larger Concordia University System.
Currently, the student body is comprised of around 2,700 students who enjoy small class sizes and diverse academic offerings. The University is comprised of three schools:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Education
- College of Graduate Studies
The largest subject-offering group within the university includes education-related programs, many of which are online. Additionally, face-to-face programs at the graduate level meet in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The fully online Special Education Endorsement offered by Concordia University Nebraska places first in our ranking due to the affordability of the program as well as flexibility-enhancing components in the program. The current tuition per credit hour rate for this endorsement program is $340 per credit hour. This makes the program the 7th most affordable of almost 50 peer programs.
Flexibility-enhancing components include accelerated 8-week courses as well as the ability to take this course of study as just an endorsement program, or as part of the larger Master’s in Education in Special Education. The endorsement program is currently quite rigorous and requires 42 credit hours for completion.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Special Education Endorsement
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $340 for Nebraska residents; $425 for out-of-state residents
Credit Hours To Completion: 42
Course Length: 8-week courses
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Course Delivery: 100% online
2.) University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas (UA) is the flagship university of the University of Arkansas System. Located with a main campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas (as well as numerous online offerings), UA is currently comprised of a student body of over 27,500 students. Despite the size, student-to-faculty ratios are relatively low at 20 to 1.
UA holds the highest form of accreditation (regional accreditation) from the Higher Learning Commission. The University is accredited to award degrees from the bachelor’s through doctoral levels, as well as professional certificates.
Presently, U.S. News ranks UA as the 133rd-ranked school in the nation. Additional accolades include being ranked one of the top 20 schools in the nation for online bachelor’s degrees, the 56th best online graduate education degree provider, as well as a top school for veterans. Over 40 online degrees and certifications are available at this time.
The fully online Special Education Endorsement offered by the University of Arkansas places second in our ranking due to the relative affordability of the program as well as the academic quality of its parent college of education. The current tuition per credit hour rate charged by the program is $437.54, making the program the 6th most affordable of 50 peer institutions surveyed for this ranking.
Additionally, scholarship opportunities are available to Arkansas-based educators. The program prepares those who complete the program for the Arkansas State standards for a K-12 Special Education Endorsement. A number of admissions routes are possible, including one that relies more heavily on undergraduate GPA and another for those already holding certain teaching licenses.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: K-12 Special Education Endorsement
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $437.54
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Course Delivery: Fully Online
Related Offerings:
- Dyslexia Endorsement Plan
- Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction
- Graduate Certificate in ABA
3.) Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University (ODU) is a four-year, public university with a main campus in Norfolk, Virginia. Class sizes are often small, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1 according to the most recent count.
The fully online Special Education Endorsement offered by Old Dominion University places third in our ranking due to affordability, flexibility, and the academic quality of the school of education at the university. The current tuition per credit hour rate of the program is set at $393, making the program the 14th most affordable of the 50 we surveyed.
This course of study is for those seeking to further their focus on special education without obtaining a master’s or for those who hold a provisional teaching license and are seeking to obtain licensing requirements. This program provides licensing requirements for the following licenses:
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Special Education: General Curriculum (mild disabilities)
- Special Education: Adapted Curriculum (severe disabilities)
- Visual Impairment
The course can require both undergraduate and graduate-level courses depending on the academic background of the applicant. Those with a great deal of special education courses already can accelerate their time to obtain their degree by providing evidence of past experience meeting program criteria.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Special Education Post Baccalaureate Endorsement
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $393 in-state; $426 out-of-state
Credit Hours To Completion: The amount of credit hours needed is determined by your previous coursework
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Course Delivery: Regular online class schedule; you will be required to purchase a membership to LiveText
Related Offerings:
- Autism Certificate Program
- ODU Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate Program
4.) Seattle University
Seattle University (SU) is a private comprehensive university with a main campus in Seattle, Washington, The University is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The student body of the university is currently home to close to 7,400 students. For a medium-sized school, classes are quite small with a student-to-faculty ratio of eleven to one.
Five online master’s degrees and a number of endorsement options are available in the field of education. The fully online Special Education Endorsement program offered by Seattle University places fourth in our ranking largely due to affordability and flexibility scores.
While many special education endorsements are quite involved (requiring more credit hours than many other endorsement programs), Seattle University’s program may be completed in one year. Additionally, students may choose between in-person, hybrid, and fully online courses throughout the program.
There are only 24 credit hours are required for program completion, which is designed for certified teachers with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. An additional flexibility-enhancing component may be seen in the program’s generous transfer policy. Students may transfer as many as 9 of the 24 credit hours from past educational experiences.
Students of the program may also elect to continue on to the Master’s in Special Education program. Those who complete the endorsement program already hold half the credits necessary for a Master’s in Special Education from Seattle University. The current per credit-hour tuition rate at the university is $325, making the program the second most affordable of those surveyed.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Special Education Endorsement
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $325
Credit Hours To Completion: 24
Course Length: 8 classes in total
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Course Delivery: Synchronously online, meeting twice a week in the evenings, with additional asynchronous work required throughout the week
5.) Northwestern College
Northwestern College is a private Christian liberal arts school of just over 6,000 students. Founded in 1882, this rurally-based college enjoys small class sizes and student-to-faculty ratios of just 14 to 1.
The fully online Special Education Endorsement offered by Northwestern College places 5th in our ranking due to its high level of flexibility as well as affordability. As of the writing of this ranking, per credit hour tuition costs for the program are set at $350, making the program the second most affordable of 50 surveyed programs.
On the flexibility front, the endorsement program offers four special education-related endorsements. These endorsements include:
- Birth Through Grade Three Inclusive Settings
- Instructional Strategist I Mild/Moderate Endorsement (K-8) (5-12)
- Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)
- Instructional Strategist II Intellectual Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)
The Instructional Strategist endorsements all require 21 credit hours and may be completed in just over one year. If you’re looking for the ability to specialize your special education endorsement even further, and for an affordable price, Northwestern College is a great choice for your endorsement needs.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Instructional Strategist I Endorsement
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $350
Credit Hours To Completion: 21 to 24
Course Length: 8-week courses
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Course Delivery: 100% online
6.) Ball State University
Ball State University (Ball State) is a public research university centered around a main campus in Muncie, Indiana.
The fully online Special Education Endorsement offered by Ball State University’s highly regarded College of Education places sixth in our ranking due to flexibility in the program as well as the academic quality of the department. Flexibility-granting components of Ball State’s offerings include the offering of three special education-centered endorsements. These endorsements include;
- Special Education: Deaf Education (5-12) endorsement
- Special Education: Intense (K-12) endorsement
- Special Education: Mild (K-12) endorsement
All three endorsement offerings are presented by the Office of Teacher Education Services and Clinical Practice at Ball State, which provides a range of educational services for educators. Services from the office include:
- clinical practice network
- field experience
- licensing
- student teaching
- criminal history
- testing requirements
Compared to all other surveyed programs, Ball State’s programs are also relatively affordable, coming in at $616 per credit hour (the 18th of 50th most affordable).
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: License Addition for Exceptional Needs: Mild Interventions
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $451
Credit Hours To Completion: 27
Course Length: 8 courses in total
Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Course Delivery: Asynchronous 100% online
7.) Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University (GSU) is a public, doctoral research university that is a member of the University of Georgia University System. The current per tuition credit hour rate for the program is $385, making the program the fifth most affordable of the 50 programs we surveyed for this ranking. Georgia Southern University’s education department is rated as one of the top 200 in the nation by U.S. News.
This course of study is available to educators currently holding a T-4 or higher certificate in teaching in Georgia. The course of study requires 12 credit hours which may be completed in as little as 2 semesters. Of additional note is the fact that this is the only endorsement program in Special Education offered in the state of Georgia.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Endorsement: Gifted In-field (Online)
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $385
Credit Hours To Completion: 12
Course Length: 4 courses in total
Student to Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Course Delivery: Fully 100%
8.) University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado at Denver is a public research university that is part of the University of Colorado System.
The current per credit hour tuition rate for the program is set at $448 making the program the 9th most affordable of 50 programs surveyed.
The education department at the university is the 124th-ranked program in America according to U.S. News. The program is geared towards educators who already hold a general license in education in the state of Colorado and are looking to enhance their knowledge of serving special education students. Many students who pursue this 36-credit hour endorsement go on to pursue their master’s in special education, which only requires 4 more courses and may be completed online.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Early Childhood Special Education Specialist (License)
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $448
Credit Hours To Completion: 36
Course Length: 2 to 3 years to completion
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Course Delivery: Fully online
9.) University of Nebraska
The University of Nebraska (UN) is a public high research activity university with a main campus located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Close to 26,000 students are enrolled in the UN’s student body. And though this is a large university, many classes remain small with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.
The current per credit hour tuition rate applied to the program is set at $628. This makes the program the 18th most affordable of those surveyed, which included over 50 schools.
The University of Nebraska’s education department is currently the 40th ranked in the nation according to U.S. News. This makes for the highest-ranked education department to offer an online special education department in the nation. This 30-credit-hour program is also flexible, offering endorsements in:
- Special Education Generalist (K-6) or (7-12)
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing (Birth to age 21)
- Visual Impairments (Birth to age 21)
- Orientation & Mobility
- Early Childhood Special Education (Birth to age 5)
- Early Intervention Specialist (Birth to age 5) – supplemental
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Special Education Generalist Endorsement
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $628
Credit Hours To Completion: 30
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Course Delivery: Fully online
10.) National Louis University
National Louis University (NLU), located in Chicago, Illinois, is a private university with a student body of around 4,000 students. Despite the medium size of this university, many classes are small with one-on-one attention. The student-to-faculty ratio is currently 15 to 1.
The endorsement in special education presented by National Louis University places 10th in our ranking due to its scores in affordability and flexibility. On the front of affordability, NLU offers endorsement credits at the tuition rate of $450 per credit hour. This places NLU as the 11th most affordable endorsement program of 50 surveyed for this ranking.
As far as flexibility, NLU offers three endorsement programs related to special education. These endorsement programs include:
- Director of Special Education Endorsement
- LBS I Endorsement
- LBS II Endorsements: Curriculum Adaptation Specialist and Transition Specialist
Additionally, a school counselor endorsement is available. All three endorsements lead to licensure in Illinois (and other states if approved by local administrators) and may be completed in two semesters.
Special Education Endorsement Summary
Program Website: Director of Special Education Endorsement
Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $450
Credit Hours To Completion: 12 Semester Hours
Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Course Delivery: Online
Previous Mentions
- University of Nebraska Kearney
- University of Sioux Falls
- Rutgers University
- Mckendree University
- Kansas State University
- DePaul University
- Greenville University
- University of Wyoming
- Aurora University
- Central Michigan University
The Pros and Cons of an Online Special Education Endorsement
Attending an online program for a special education endorsement has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown:
Pros:
- Flexibility: Online programs offer flexibility in terms of scheduling. You can study at your own pace, as well as, manage your coursework around your existing commitments, such as work or family responsibilities.
- Accessibility: Online programs allow students from anywhere to access quality education. This is particularly beneficial if you don’t live near a university offering the special education endorsement you need.
- Convenience: With online learning, there’s no need to commute to campus, saving you time and money associated with transportation.
- Self-paced learning: Online courses for an SE endorsement often allow for self-paced learning enabling students to quickly or slowly move through the program.
- Technology integration: Online programs typically utilize various technological tools and platforms.
Cons:
- Lack of face-to-face interaction: Online learning may lack the face-to-face interaction found in traditional classrooms.
- Limited networking opportunities: Building professional connections and networking with other Special Education teachers may be more challenging in an online setting compared to on-campus programs.
- Self-discipline required: Online learning requires a high level of self-discipline and time management skills.
- Technology issues: Technical problems such as internet connectivity issues or software glitches can disrupt the learning experience and potentially impact your ability to participate in classes or complete assignments on time.
Ultimately, deciding if an online special education endorsement is the right choice depends on your individual learning preferences, lifestyle, and career goals. It’s essential to carefully consider these factors before making a decision. Additionally, researching the specific program and its accreditation is super important.
