Research online special education programs to determine which ones best meet your needs. Most states require special education teachers to hold a master's degree, so it is likely that you will need to seek programs that offer online master's degree, but there are some schools that do offer bachelor's degree programs in the field also. If you have a bachelor's degree already, even if it's in a non-education field, you can take the master's degree route. Otherwise you may need to choose a school that offers both the bachelor's and master's degrees online. Schools offering online special education degrees include Michigan State University, Regis University and Grand Canyon University, among others.
Apply for admission to the schools of interest to you. If possible, apply to schools in your state so that you know that the coursework you take will be able to meet the state requirements for special education teachers. Requirements can vary by state, so if you pursue a degree from a school in another state, you may have to complete additional requirements for the state in which you live or plan to work later on. Admission usually entails submitting an application, application fees, letters of recommendation and transcripts from high school and colleges you may have attended.
Complete prerequisite courses needed for admission. Once you have been accepted to a school, you may find that you need to complete some prerequisite courses prior to being fully admitted to the education program. For instance, Grand Canyon University requires that you complete an English Language Teaching Course and an additional nine hours of study during your first semester in the program.
Take and complete all additional required coursework. Most master's degree programs in special education programs require the completion of about 45 credit hours. This will generally take about 1.5 to two years to complete. Areas of study include classroom management with special needs children, diagnosis and assessment in special education and strategies for teaching students with specific learning disabilities, among others.
Finish your degree by completing required teaching practicums. The field of special education requires hands-on experience and most programs will require you to set up your hands-on training on your own. This is especially true if you are completing a degree program at a school located in a state different than your state of residence.