Learn How to Become a Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers are a special breed. They are patient, caring and compassionate. If this describes you, get the education you need to join the ranks of the 473,000* dedicated special education teachers across America. As a special education teacher, you'll spend your days praising simple accomplishments and making a true difference in the lives of your students. Learn how to become a special education teacher and help the students who need you most.
Once you learn how to become a special education teacher, you'll work with children who have emotional challenges, learning disabilities, visual or auditory impairments, and physical or intellectual disabilities that affect their ability to function in a regular classroom. You'll enrich their lives by teaching them the skills they need to live healthy lives in and out of the classroom, and find the confidence that only you can instill.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher:
Degrees and Certification
To become a special education teacher, you'll need to complete at least a bachelor's degree and a teacher-training program. Many states also require a master's degree in special education. This requires an additional year or more of coursework, and, in some cases, the successful completion of a master's thesis.
You'll also need to get teaching certification. Whether you pursue state or federal teaching certification, most certifying bodies require a college degree, completion of certain education courses, student teaching, and passing an approved exam. The most common teaching exam is the PraxisTM.
Once you have your teacher certification, you can decide where, and in what kind of school, you want to teach. You should note, though, that private schools often don't require teacher certification, just the proper teacher education.
Learn How to Become a Special Education Teacher for a Good Salary and Benefits
If you're ready to learn how to become a special education teacher, you'll want to know about special education teacher salaries and benefits.
Special education salaries are competitive, and the career offers great benefits, especially the coveted summers and holidays off. Your salary will depend on the location and type of school where you teach.
Middle and high school special education teachers earn comparable salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2008 the median annual special education salary for high school special education teachers was $ 51,340. However, the top 10 percent earned more than $82,000. Teachers generally earn higher salaries in suburban school districts, and with increasing seniority.
Most schools offer teachers extra pay for coaching sports or for other extracurricular activities. Some teachers also earn extra money either teaching or in other jobs during the summer vacation. Additional education degrees can also increase your salary.
Celebrating the Successes of Special Education
Special Education teachers celebrate countless small victories with their students every day. If teachers in mainstream classes appreciate the joys of teaching, that goes ten-fold for teachers of special-education students.
As you might expect, it takes a special person learn how to be a special education teacher. Like other teachers, you'll need to be organized and creative, but to teach special ed, you'll also have to be accepting, even-tempered...and occasionally thick skinned. But to best help your students, you'll also need to be intuitive to effectively solve problems, and be extremely dedicated to your students.
Remember, you can make a difference in the lives of these exceptional people. If you learn how to become a special education teacher, you can help the special-needs child become a confident and capable adult. There's no greater joy than that.
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009
Learn About How to Become a Special Education Teacher >>
Special Education Teacher ProgramsOnline
Grand Canyon University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- B.S. in Elementary Education / Special Education (Dual Major) (Online)
- M.Ed. in Special Education (Online)
- M.Ed. in Special Education - Certified Special Educators (Online)
- M.Ed. in Special Education with Credential (Leads to initial teacher licensure) (Online)
Northcentral University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Master of Education (MEd) - Special Education (Online)
- Doctor of Education (EdD) - Special Education (Online)
- PhD in Education - Special Education (Online)
- Education Specialist (EdS) - Special Education (Online)
Ashford University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Master of Arts - Education - Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Online)
Western Governors University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- B.A. Special Education (Online)
- M.S. Special Education (K-12) (Online)
Concordia University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction - The Inclusive Classroom (SPED) (Online)
- M.Ed in Special Education - Early Childhood/Elementary Education (Online)
- M.Ed in Special Education - Middle Level/High School Education (Online)
Saint Joseph's University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Bachelor of Science in Professional and Liberal Studies w/ an Autism Studies Concentration (Online)
- Certificate of Proficiency in Autism Studies (Online)
- Master of Science in Special Education (Online)
- Master of Science in Special Education with Autism spectrum Disorders' Endorsement (Online)
- Special Education Certification (Online)
Future Special Education Teachers: All 50 states require special education teachers to earn a teaching license prior to entering the classroom. Each state requires slightly different criteria for this license; however, across the board, a license to teach special education requires more than just getting an elementary or secondary teaching degree. Gather the information you need about licensing in your state from the schools above, or contact your state Department of Education.
Current Special Education Teachers: Even with a shortage of special education teachers across the nation, it is still important those who do become special ed teachers be highly qualified to mentor incoming special education teachers. Many special education teachers have chosen to earn their masters or PhD and go back into the field of higher education to become instructors for future special education teachers. Find out what your options are for career advancement.
Alaska Teacher
Arizona Teacher
Arkansas Teacher
California Teacher
Colorado Teacher
Connecticut Teacher
Delaware Teacher
Florida Teacher
Georgia Teacher
Hawaii Teacher
Idaho Teacher
Illinois Teacher
Indiana Teacher
Iowa Teacher
Kansas Teacher
Kentucky Teacher
Louisiana Teacher
Maine Teacher
Maryland Teacher
Massachusetts Teacher
Michigan Teacher
Minnesota Teacher
Mississippi Teacher
Missouri Teacher
Montana Teacher
Nebraska Teacher
Nevada Teacher
New Hampshire Teacher
New Jersey Teacher
New Mexico Teacher
New York Teacher
North Carolina Teacher
North Dakota Teacher
Ohio Teacher
Oklahoma Teacher
Oregon Teacher
Pennsylvania Teacher
Rhode Island Teacher
South Carolina Teacher
South Dakota Teacher
Tennessee Teacher
Texas Teacher
Utah Teacher
Vermont Teacher
Virginia Teacher
Washington Teacher
West Virginia Teacher
Wisconsin Teacher
Wyoming Teacher