Localize Your School Search
Degrees and Schools
Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs are available in special education. Some programs cover all aspects of special education while others programs are specific to fields such as behavioral disorders, early childhood, dyslexia or severe disabilities. Some graduate level programs are designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in another field and who need to take specific coursework to meet alternative licensing requirements in their state. Many program, especially those at the master's level, include internships. Special needs education programs are available at a large number of public and private universities and colleges.
Special education programs should be accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or another accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Coursework
An special education program will typically include courses such as the following:
- physical, cognitive and language development and challenges
- social and emotional development and challenges
- assessment of special learning needs
- behavioral assessment and interventions
- theory of inclusion
- teaching children with reading problems
- treatment of children with emotional disorders
- the arts in special education
- language development and remediation
- assistive technology
Online Classes and Programs
Numerous online schools offer degree programs in special education, especially at the master's degree level. Since many students who work towards their master's degree are doing so part-time while they continue working, these programs provide a convenient option. Licensing requirements for special educators vary by state so students need to make sure the program they enroll in meets the state licensing requirements where they plan to work. Also, it is important that the online school or program is properly accredited, as described in the Degrees and Schools section above.
Employment Requirements
Almost all positions in this field require a bachelor's degree or master's degree in special education. All states require special education teachers be licensed, either as general teachers or as special education teachers. The license in some states is the same as for an elementary school teacher while other states license special educators separately and sometimes, in multiple categories such as severe disabilities or moderate disabilities.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The following questions should be asked when choosing a special education degree program:
- Program Options - Are there options to focus on a certain age group? Can students focus on a certain level of disability or specific type of disability?
- Practicums/Internships -What types of internships are available? How do students find and secure internships? Do the internship options match student's career goals?
- Licensing - Does the program meet licensing requirements of the state where the student intends to work? If not, how can additional requirements be met?
- Accreditation - Is the program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)? Is it accredited by an agency that is recognized the US Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)?
Preschool and Elementary Special Education Teachers Job Description
Children with disabilities should be given every opportunity to succeed in school, despite the challenges they face. With the help of educators who are specifically trained to work with children with special needs, these children can experience academic success. Children with special needs cannot access the standard school curriculum and therefore need extra help to progress academically. There is a wide range of disabilities that special education teachers are trained to work with, ranging from mild learning disabilities to severe physical and mental disabilities. Special education teachers that work with preschool and elementary school aged children most commonly work in public schools within integrated classrooms as well as outside of the classroom. Other workplace options include private day schools and residential schools.
The responsibilities of a special education teacher for preschool and elementary age children typically includes the following:
- conducting assessments
- creating Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
- creating lesson plans for individual students
- assisting students in an integrated classroom
- providing academic instruction outside of classroom setting
- consulting with other educators
Resources
Council for Exceptional Children - The CEC is dedicated to improving the education outcomes of students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. They advocate for government policies, provide professional development, set professional standards and disseminate information through publications, conferences and their website .
National Association of Special Education Teachers - NASET promotes the profession of special education teaching through dissemination of professional research and education via their website, conferences and publications. They also grant awards and provide a career center for their members.
National Association of Private Special Education Centers - NAPSEC represents private early intervention services, schools, residential therapeutic centers and other private organizations that provide special education services.
Learning Disabilities Worldwide - LDW is a professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of students with learning disabilities and related disorders. They promote and disseminate research through two journals as well as other educational resources.
Career Profiles
Job Title: Bilingual Special Education Classroom Teacher
Attended: City College Of New York • New York City, NY
Studied Bilingual Special Education (completion in 2012)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"I entered teaching as part of the Teaching Fellows Program. I enjoy teaching and working with students, however I don't think that working towards your master's in education during your first year teaching is a good plan. Until I have had a year teaching without going for my degree, I am not sure how happy I am in my job."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | The program has several professors who were very informative, but overall lacked practical information. The practical was what I needed to survive last year and I didn't get it. Furthermore, the program lacked sufficient bilingual classes while never having a class specifically on disabilities. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I am a classroom teacher. It is unlikely I will be promoted to grade leader anytime soon. |
| Job Security | 7 | As a public school teacher in the NYC DOE, there is a danger of layoffs. However, as a bilingual special education teacher, it is unlikely I will lose my job. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | The education field varies widely based on where you work. In the NYC DOE the starting salary for a teacher is around $45,000 and a 20 year teacher with a masters and over 30 credits can make around $100,000. |
| How Stressful | 8 | My job is very stressful because I have the education of a class in my hands. As a bilingual special education teacher, I work with a very vulnerable population who need every support that can be imagined and yet still must achieve according to No Child Left Behind. |
| Task Variety | 5 | It is important to provide structure for the students. Every week largely is structured approximately the same. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | My career is one that is not precisely glamorous, but it is one that is recognized for the commitment to the community and the development of the students. I would argue that teachers in the United States sadly receive less prestige than they do in other countries. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | Teaching is not the most flexible job in terms of where or when or often how. However, it is possible to specialize in a variety of subfields such as bilingual, ESL, literacy, mathematics etc. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | I constantly interact with my students and encourage them to interact with each other. On occasion, I wish I had more interaction with adults because spending your entire day with children makes you wish for adult logic and conversation. |
Job Title: Elementary Special Education Teacher
Attended: University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire • Eau Claire, WI
Studied MCEA (Middle Child Early Adolescence) (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/19/2012
"I thoroughly enjoy teaching my students new information. I also enjoy the fact that every day is something new and different. I am always having to adapt, improvise, and overcome obstacles to ensure that my students succeed."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I believe that the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire did an amazing job preparing me for what it is like in the world of education. Within the first year there, they already had me go out into schools to see what it was like. They also taught us a variety of different teaching styles so that we could develop our own "hybrid." |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | With the new PDP system of renewing your license, it is a little harder to get credits to bump yourself up on the pay scale. It does, however, allow you to make goals for going back to get continuing ed credits. The only way you can get promoted is if you get your masters/doctorate. Even though it isn't a given that you can get a higher position, because they only are administrative (principal, directors, superintendents, etc). |
| Job Security | 7 | With the new budget cuts, we have no idea what each year will be like. I know that my position is safe for now. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | Teaching is one of the lowest paying jobs that requires a 4-year degree. The only thing you have to take into consideration, however, is that you work 9 months out of the year (in most cases). They also have a pretty decent insurance package. This makes up (slightly) for the poor pay. |
| How Stressful | 8 | Teaching has its moments where it can be incredibly stressful. It all depends on how your students are that given day. If it is a rough day for them, it is a rough day for you. It also can be rough for those individuals in schools that are smaller or have large class sizes. The larger the class, the more kids you have to try and control. |
| Task Variety | 5 | In most cases, your schedule does not change when you are a teacher. You teach the same subjects every day. What does vary, however, is the students. This creates an unpredictable environment even though the normal day-to-day schedule is constant. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 6 | I don't think teaching is as "glamorous" as it once was. Now it is the butt of many jokes and is looked at in a poor light due to all of the political strife going on right now. We are looked at as those that just want a summer off. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | Due to the fact that I am licensed to teach elementary education or special education, I feel that I am pretty flexible with what I can do. I can teach any grades 1st-6th or special education K-12. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | Social interaction is slightly more difficult because it all depends on your classroom schedule. The only real time for social interaction among peers is during lunch. This gives teachers a time when they can have adult conversations without their students present. You also have the opportunity to have some social interaction after school when the students leave. During school hours, however, it is difficult to communicate with others except via email. |
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.
