Special education is recognized as a high-need field in Hawaii and employs an average of 331 new special education teachers each year.

As of 2024-2025 SY, the starting salary for all licensed teachers range from $53,390 – $68,753 and teachers can advance in pay throughout their career towards a salary of $101,371. In addition, Hawaii offers salary differentials to teachers who are licensed and are teaching in the highest need fields and the highest need geographical areas.

• Special Education teachers = + $10,000
• Hawaiian Language Immersion special education teachers = + $8,000
• All special education teachers in the following hard-to-fill geographic locales:
  • Tier 1: Kea‘au & Pāhoa Complex Areas = + $3,000
  • Tier 2: Kealakehe, Kohala, Konawaena and Lahainaluna Complex Areas = + $5,000
  • Tier 3: Honoka‘a and Ka‘u Complex Areas = + $7,500
  • Tier 4: Hāna, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, Nānakuli, and Wai‘anae Complex Areas, as well as, Olomana School and Hawai‘i School for the Deaf and Blind = + $8,000

Note: Salary differentials are stackable (e.g., a special education Hawaiian Language Immersion teacher in Moloka‘i could earn an additional $26,000 per year). Differentials are contingent on annual renewal of state budget and funding.

Special education teachers service students with disabilities who are eligible and receiving special education services across PreK-12. In Hawai‘i, a majority of preschools in the public schools are special education settings, requiring an early childhood special education teaching license for those settings. A licensed special education teacher designs, implements, and monitors individualized education programs (IEPs) to meet the unique learning, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of students with disabilities. They assess student strengths and challenges, adapt curriculum and instruction, and provide specialized support and interventions that promote academic growth and independence.

Special Education teachers collaborate closely with general education teachers, related service providers, administrators, and families to create inclusive learning environments and ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws (such as IDEA). They also track progress, adjust instruction based on data, and advocate for the resources and accommodations students need to succeed.

The College of Education at UH Mānoa partners with many state community colleges that offer associate degree pathways in education. Those who complete their associate degrees through these programs can seamlessly transition to one of our UH Mānoa bachelor degrees with an elementary licensure track. 

Associate Degree Partners – Complete first and then transfer to BEd in Special Education for licensure

• Kapiolani CC A.A. in Liberal Arts, w/concentrations in:
  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education
• Leeward CC A.S. in Teaching
• Maui College offers tuition-free prerequisite education coursework through the Hoapili Teacher Pathway (available to all students across the UH system)

Note: Dual Licensure Pathways – Dual licensure pathways allow candidates to earn two separate teaching licenses at the K-6 grade level and can be completed in the same amount of time, and for the same cost. Dual licensure programs do often require some additional courses, however, UH Mānoa provides a 12-credit tuition cap, therefore the dual licensure courses are offered at no added cost. Upon graduation, candidates can take positions in either licensure field and having specialized in two areas often makes them more marketable or attractive to school administrators.

Bachelor Degree options: Candidates can pursue licensure in elementary only, or there are many specialized dual licensure opportunities available at the undergraduate level.

• Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education
  • Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education track (Enrolls every even year; 2026, 2028, 2030)
  • Elementary & Special Education track (Update Oct. 2025: not enrolling for Fall 2026 admissions)
• Bachelor of Special Education
  • Extensive Support Needs track (PK-3, K-6, or 6-12)
  • Mild/Moderate Disabilities track (6-12)

Master Degree options: For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, we offer a graduate program for initial licensure in elementary, as well as offering two dual licensure options as well.

• Master of Education in Teaching
  • Dual Special Education Track (K-6 or 6-12)

Post Baccalaureate Certificate options: For those who already have a bachelor’s degree or higher, we offer a shorter, 18-month program for initial licensure in special education.

• Post Baccalaureate Certificate, Special Education (PK-3, K-6, or 6-12)
  • Mild/Moderate Disabilities Track
  • Extensive Support Needs Track

Someone Special Stipends: For candidates pursuing one of our licensure programs in special education, up to all tuition costs or half of dual licensure program tuition costs may be provided in return for teaching at least 3 years in a special education position in the Hawaii DOE upon graduation. No separate application is required; upon annual renewal of funds, all admitted candidates in these programs would be offered the opportunity to accept the stipend. Please refer to the website for more information.

Financial Aid & Scholarships: Browse through all the different funding opportunities on our website: coe.hawaii.edu/funding