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Special Education Teacher Programs

(found programs from 1024 schools)

Below is a directory (broken down by state) of all of the Special Education Teacher programs we could find, from over 1,700 accredited colleges and universities across the US.

Introduction to Special Education Careers

Every teacher needs patience, compassion and creativity to coax the best out of their students, but special education teachers must have these qualities in abundance as they work to guide students with disabilities toward the brightest possible future.


Advice from an Expert

Dr. James Payne is a professor of special education at the University of Mississippi, where he also acted as the Dean of the School of Education from 1985 to 1996. Dr. Payne has authored numerous articles and spoken nationally on the subject of persuasion, influence, training, organization and more. In the interview he discusses teaching special education.




Special Education Job Description

Special education teachers work with youth with cognitive, emotional and physical disabilities ranging from mild to severe. They are employed at every education level from preschool through secondary school.

Special education includes students with a wide variety of disabilities such as autism, mental retardation, speech impairment, dyslexia and deafness and blindness. The role of the special education teacher is to adapt the general education curriculum and teaching techniques to accommodate his or her students’ special needs. One way special education teachers do this is by developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for their students. IEPs are roadmaps for student achievement that account for each students’ special needs and abilities.

Special education teachers serve as a resource for general education teachers, and they coordinate with other service providers such as social workers, psychologists, and therapists. They may work as a support teacher in a general education classroom, in a self-contained special education classroom or in a resource room. Some special education teachers work in residential facilities or tutor homebound or hospitalized students.


Special Education Requirements

Special education teachers must be licensed by the state in which they work. Most states require a four-year degree in special education, but some require a master’s degree or a fifth year of graduate-level training. States also require a student teaching internship and a passing score on a competency exam.

Colleges and universities offer special education degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. These programs may offer generalized special education degrees, or they may offer the opportunity to specialize in a particular area such as autism.


Special Education Career Outlook

Special education teachers are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in special education is expected to grow 17 percent through 2018 thanks to earlier diagnosis of learning disabilities and legislation emphasizing tougher graduation standards for special education students. Special education teachers will find the most opportunity in inner city and rural school districts as well as in the South and West where student enrollment is growing rapidly. In addition, special education teachers who are trained to teach autistic students or those with multiple disabilities are in great demand.

The median annual salary for special education teachers at the preschool through elementary level was $50,000 in 2008 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For middle school special education teachers that figure rose to $51,800 and for secondary teachers the median wage topped $51,000.


Special Education Trends

As minority populations continue to grow in most areas of the country so, too, will the need for bilingual special education teachers to serve these populations. In addition, legislation aimed at improving early intervention efforts for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities is creating a need for more early childhood special education teachers.


Useful Resources


Featured Online Programs:


Arizona State University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Phoenix, AZ
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching and Learning, Autism Spectrum FocusM.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching and Learning, Behavioral Analyst FocusM.Ed., Special Education Consultation and Collaboration: Autism Emphasis

Arkansas State University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Jonesboro, AR
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
MSE in Gifted, Talented, and CreativeMSE in Special Education 4-12MSE in Special Education P-4

Capella University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Minneapolis, MN
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

MS - Special Education Teaching
PhD - Special Education Leadership

Drexel University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Philadelphia, PA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

MS - Special Education

Graceland University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Lamoni, IA
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

M.Ed- Mild/Moderate Special Ed
M.Ed. - Differentiated Instruction

Grand Canyon University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Phoenix, AZ
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.S. in Elementary Education / Special Education (Dual Major)M.Ed. in Special Education: Certified Special Educators (No IR, No Cert.)M.Ed. in Special Education: Cross-Categorical (No IR, No Cert.)M.Ed. in Special Education: Cross-Categorical (With IR and Cert.)

Kaplan University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Cedar Falls, IA / Cedar Rapids, IA / Chicago, IL / Council Bluffs, IA / Davenport, IA / Fort Lauderdale, FL / Greenacres, FL / Hagerstown, MD / Lincoln, NE / Mason City, IA / Miami Lakes, FL / New York, NY / Omaha, NE / S Portland, ME / St. Petersburg, FL / Urbandale, IA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)

Kendall College (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Chicago, IL
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)

BA Early Childhood Ed & Illinois Type 04 Cert

Liberty University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
M.Ed. Teaching and Learning - Special Education

University of Cincinnati (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Cincinnati, OH
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)

MEd - Curriculum & Instruction
MEd - Special Education

University of New England (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Portland, ME
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

Certificate of Graduate Study - Education in Inclusion Education

University of Phoenix (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Multiple Locations
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
Master of Arts in Education / Special Education

University of the Southwest (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Hobbs, NM
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)

M.S.Ed. - Special Education

Walden University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Minneapolis, MN
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
Master of Science (M.S.) in Education - Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K-12)Ph.D. in Education - Special EducationSpecial Education Endorsement Program in Emotional/Behavioral DisordersSpecial Education Endorsement Program in Learning DisabilitiesSpecial Education Endorsement Program with M.S. in Education - Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12)Special Education Endorsement Program with M.S. in Education - Learning Disabilities (K-12)Teacher Preparation Program with a Master of Arts in Teaching - Special Education - Emotional/Behavioral DisordersTeacher Preparation Program with a Master of Arts in Teaching - Special Education - Learning Disabilities

Western Governors University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
100% Online
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited, TEAC accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.A. in Special Education (K-12)M.S. in Special Education (K-12)

WGU Indiana (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Indianapolis, IN
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.A. in Special EducationM.S. in Special Education (K-12)

WGU Washington (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Seattle, WA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.A. in Special EducationM.S. in Special Education (K-12)


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