Online Specialist Degree in Special Education (Ed.S.)

Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Reach Your Students More Effectively with an Online Specialist Degree in Special Education

Our Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education degree allows you to dive into advanced research, learning theory, institutional assessment techniques, and curriculum development practices. Throughout our special education Ed.S. degree program, you can develop the skill set to be a more effective special education teacher and administrator for K-12 students.

As a 100% online program, our Ed.S. degree in special education instruction can help you learn the skills to better engage your students without needing to take classes on a college campus. Earning your Ed.S. online can help you expand your career horizons without sacrificing your current lifestyle.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education.

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600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Education Specialist in Special Education Degree?

Our online Ed.S. in Special Education can help you apply critical learning theory and cutting-edge behavioral research to your classroom so you can reach your students more effectively. Our education specialist professors have real-world experience in special education, and they can help you integrate your faith into your teaching methods in a professional and meaningful way.

Partner with Liberty as you pursue an Ed.S. in Special Education degree, and be taught how to impact your students in a lasting, meaningful way.

What are the benefits of pursuing our special education specialist degree online?

Completing an online Ed.S. program can help show employers that you have high-level learning theory, research, and curriculum development skills. It can also show employers that you are willing to go the extra mile to ensure you have the most advanced training.
Completion of your Ed.S. degree through Liberty University allows you to transfer in up to 27 credits to our Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program.
You’ll be able to conduct cutting-edge educational research throughout your postgraduate Ed.S. degree program that can equip you to publish groundbreaking insights into special education.

What Will You Study with Our Online Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education Degree Program?

In your online Ed.S. in Special Education degree program, you can gain a foundational knowledge of theory, research, and leadership that can help prepare you for a doctoral degree. You will study curriculum theory and development throughout your Ed.S. program so you can improve curriculum and instruction in your classroom and beyond.

The special education portion of your online Ed.S. degree can help prepare you to assess and meet student needs through strategic technology use, behavior management, and program organization and design. You have a passion to reach all students, and our Education Specialist degree in special education can give you the tools you need to increase your influence.

Potential Career Opportunities

College administrator
Curriculum specialist
Instructional supervisor
K-12 school administrator
Special education teacher*

After completing our Education Specialist degree online, you will have an advanced, postgraduate credential that will allow you to pursue leadership roles in K-12 and higher education. Our Ed.S. degree will provide you with the opportunity to gain advanced expertise in K-12 education and curriculum development.

The skills and knowledge gained from our online Ed.S. degree may lead to opportunities in private or public schools, third-party curriculum and learning tool development companies, or for advancement in your current job.

*Please note: This is a non-licensure program. If you are not currently a licensed teacher, you may need to earn your teaching license to become a special education teacher.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

EdS and EdD Full Time	$610/Credit
EdS and EdD Part Time	$675/Credit
Military EdS and EdD	$375/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Our Online Ed.S. in Special Education Degree

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Please note: Guidelines are subject to change in federal or state regulations for the licensure of school personnel.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $375 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Frequently Asked Questions for the Online Specialist Degree in Special Education

What does Ed.S. mean in education?

Can you get a special education degree online?

You can gain a special education credential online! Our Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education can help prepare you to teach students with learning disabilities. Our 100% online format allows you to pursue your degree wherever and whenever you’re comfortable doing so. You can choose between full-time or part-time attendance. You also have 8 different start dates each year to choose from.

Our program is designed to provide you with the flexibility to pursue your goals the way you want.

How long does it take to get an Education Specialist degree?

Are you ready to change your future?

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App Fee Waived This Week*

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Ed.S. in Special Education Online Invest in Yourself & Your Students

Reach Your Students More Effectively with an Online Specialist Degree in Special Education

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Education Specialist in Special Education Degree?

What Will You Study with Our Online Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education Degree Program?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

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Admission Information for Our Online Ed.S. in Special Education Degree

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

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Admissions Office Contact Information

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Frequently Asked Questions for the Online Specialist Degree in Special Education

What does Ed.S. mean in education?

Can you get a special education degree online?

How long does it take to get an Education Specialist degree?

Are you ready to change your future?

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