Special Education Teacher

Education required for this profession

Many colleges and universities across the United States offer programs in special education at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree levels. Special education teachers usually undergo longer periods of training than do general education teachers. Most bachelor’s degree programs last years and include general and specialized courses in special education. However, an increasing number of institutions require a 5th year or other graduate-level preparation. Among the courses offered are educational psychology, legal issues of special education, child growth and development, and strategies for teaching students with disabilities. Some programs require specialization, while others offer generalized special education degrees or a course of study in several specialized areas. The last year of the program usually is spent student teaching in a classroom supervised by a certified teacher.

Relevant Degree/Diploma/Certificate

Bachelors degree in special education

Quick Facts

All States require teachers to be licensed; traditional licensing requires the completion of a special education teacher training program and at least a bachelor’s degree, though many States require a master’s degree. Many States offer alternative licensure programs to attract college graduates who do not have training in education. Excellent job prospects are expected due to rising enrollments of special education students and reported shortages of qualified teachers.

Salary

Median annual earnings of wage-and-salary special education teachers who worked primarily in preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools are $46,360. The middle 50 percent earn between $37,500 and $59,320. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $31,320, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $73,620.

Featured Universities Offering Degrees for this Profession

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences	Abilene Christian University	American InterContinental University Online	American Sentinel University	Antonelli College

Online Universities Offering Degrees for this Profession

A A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Abilene Christian University American InterContinental University Online American Sentinel University Antonelli College Argosy University Online Ashford University B Baker College Online Bay Path College Bellevue University Benedictine University Boise State University Boston University Bowling Green State University Bryant & Stratton College Bush School of Government - Texas A&M University C California Coast University California InterContinental University California State University, Monterey Bay Capella University Chamberlain College of Nursing Chancellor University Clarion University of Pennsylvania Cleveland Institute of Electronics Colorado Technical University Online Columbia Southern University Concord Law School Concordia University Irvine Creighton University Cumberland University D Daniel Webster College DePaul University DeSales University DeVry University Dominican University Drexel University Online Duquesne University E Eastern Kentucky University eCornell Ellis University Everest College Phoenix Everest University Online Everglades University F Fielding Graduate University Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences Florida Tech University Online Fort Hays State University Full Sail University G Golden Gate University Gonzaga University Graceland University Grand Canyon University Gratz College H Harrison College Henley-Putnam University Herzing University Hodges University

I IIA College Independence University Indiana State University Indiana Tech International Academy of Design and Technology Iowa Central College Online Ivy Bridge College J Jacksonville University Jones International University K Kaplan University Keiser University Keller Graduate School of Management Kent State University L LA College Online Lehigh University Lesley University LeTourneau University Lewis University Liberty University Online Lincoln College Online Loyola University New Orleans M Malone University Marylhurst University McKinley College Minnesota School of Business Missouri University of Science and Technology Mountain State University N National American University New England College New England Culinary Institute New Jersey Institute of Technology / NJIT New York Medical College - School of Public Health Nova Southeastern University O Ohio University Oklahoma Wesleyan University P Post University Online S Strayer University Syracuse University T The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division U UMassOnline University Alliance University of Phoenix W Walden University