I teach elementary special ed and did my master's in reading and literacy through Walden University; great on-line program that I would recommend to anybody - I was so pleased and learned so much - networked with teachers all over the country, too.    That program with Walden has several options but you might find a better program where you move to - in special education.  You definitely are heading into a field without enough teachers....  You can't do Walden for a bit then quit...  not a part-time program either - I did work fulltime on my master's with Walden and teach fulltime also...  I would recommend that you look into a sped master's program after you get settled somewhere - the Walden program is great for people already teaching and who can use their kids to do the assignments and complete the portfolio - very intense but not a program that you stop and start....

Hope that helps.

CL N.

I am a substitute teacher, former full time mom and minister's wife.  Over the last twenty-five years I have had various experiences working with special needs children and adults.  My BA is Music Ed., but recently I have become deeply interested in working with Autistic children.   I have never been very ''career minded,'' but after several long term teaching assignments working with special needs children in the UK I have decided what I really want to do when I grow up (it has only taken me 45 years to sort this out) is work with children with developmental difficulties.

My question for the forum is where do I go from here?  Currently my husband is finishing up a Ph.D. at Cambridge University.  We will likely be moving back to the States in the summer, but at this point in time we have no idea where we will be.  I think an online M.Ed. program is probably the way to go, but I don't want a program which focuses on state certification, since we don't know what state we will be living in. I have no idea which programs are credible or what programs would be widely acceptable. I would like to be able to start my studies right away since in the current economic climate my full time substitute teaching job here has become a part time endeavour.  Any thoughts or advice would be deeply appreciated.