Best Special Education and Teaching colleges in California 2025

UOP is a private, Methodist school in Stockton. Its Benerd College of Education offers a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Special Education. Graduate students can also take advantage of its Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Special Education. Undergraduate and graduate tuition is $1,781/credit and $1,079/credit, respectively. Notable UOP alumni include musicians Dave Brubeck and Chris Isaak.

Established in 1899, SFSU’s Department of Special Education features an undergraduate minor, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. programs in Special Education. Learners can also pursue post-baccalaureate credential programs, graduate certificates, or temporary intern credential programs in Special Education. Standout alumni include journalist Melba Pattillo Beals and author Anne Rice.

Chapman is a private research institution in Orange established in 1861. Special education teaching students can choose from undergraduate programs in Integrated Educational Studies and a five-year combined BA/MA program. Learners in the graduate program can pursue an MA in Special Education.  Undergraduate and graduate tuition at Chapman is $1,810/credit and $1,065/credit, respectively. Alumni include actor Colin Hanks and comedian Leslie Jones.

ULV is a private institution founded in 1891. Today, the school serves approximately 7,000 students and offers an MA in Teaching with a Mild/Moderate Specialist Preliminary Credential. Ambitious learners can also complete its dual credential option to earn the Special Education credential and its Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Tuition for this program is $775/credit.

Fresno State is a public school founded in 1911 with nearly 25,400 students. Special education teaching students can pursue multiple-subject and single-subject credential paths. There is also an Education Specialist credential offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels and an MA in Special Education. Undergraduate and graduate tuition is generally $1,177/credit and $690/credit, respectively, with some special education courses costing as low as $340/credit.

Cal State LA was established in 1947 and serves about 26,400 students. In the Division of Special Education and Counseling, undergraduate Cal State LA students can earn a BS in Rehabilitation Services or a BA in Urban Learning with an Education Specialist/Special Education credential. The graduate program features an MA with 11 available concentrations and a Ph.D. in Special Education program. Notable alumni include politicians Rosario Marin and Maxine Waters.

Cal Poly is a public institution established in 1901. Graduate students at Cal Poly can earn an MS in Special Education/Education Specialist (Special Education) with a Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential. Master’s students complete an English Language Learner and Autism Spectrum Disorder authorizations. Graduates of this program enjoy a high job placement rate, with 22 of 23 recent MS students receiving teaching contracts within months of completing the program. Cal Poly alumni include athlete Ozzie Smith and NASA astronaut Robert L. Gibson.

The University of Redlands is a private school established in 1907. The university boasts roughly 5,000 students and offers an Education Specialist Preliminary Teaching Credential for learners interested in careers working with mild to moderate disabilities. When coupled with the credential, this 36-39-credit MA in Education program takes about 16 months to complete. Learners in this program pay $789 per credit.