More Information About Special Education
- Special education teachers are specifically trained to work with students with learning disabilities and mental retardation.
- There is a very high demand for special education teachers.
- Special education teachers help to plan an individualized education plan (IEP) for their students.
What is special education?
Special education is a specially designed plan of instruction and related services provided to students with disabilities. Some students in special education are able to be in a normal classroom, while others need more attention in a special education classroom. In order to be enrolled in a special education program, students must have a disability, whether it be academic, physical, mental, emotional, or involving their speech and language abilities. A team made up of teachers, specialists and the student's parents make up an individualized education program (IEP), which a special education teacher, then uses to customize the student's education. Usually a part of a student's IEP includes grading modifications. A special education student will likely receive a Pass/Fail grade on effort, rather than a letter grade. In addition to academic assistance, a special education program also offers a student additional speech and/or language therapy, adaptive PE, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, vocational training, self-help assistance and special transportation.
What is the difference between education and special education?Special education is an inclusive group of the student population, who must qualify for specialized teaching and get an IEP written. A typical special education student has a disability standing in the way of being fully successful at school. Because of this disability, a special education student receives modifications in their academic plan that a regular student would not be able to receive.
What kinds of degrees are needed to work in special education?All special education teachers must have, at least, a bachelor's degree, a teaching certificate, and an endorsement to specifically teach special education. A bachelor's degree typically requires a high school diploma along with four years of post-secondary schooling. Depending on the program, some elect to get their teaching certificate and endorsement along with their bachelor's degree. If this is the case, usually a person's college major is in education or special education. This is not the rule, however; many choose to have a completely separate major from their teaching certificate and it works. Earning a teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education requires a student teaching internship in a special education classroom. This internship usually lasts for two academic quarters or one semester.
What career opportunities are opened with a degree in special education?Teaching is the most common choice of career for special education graduates. Job opportunities for special education teachers are expected to be very good, especially since many more students are qualifying for special education these days. Usually school districts with a higher poverty rate, less money and fewer resources are in a great need for quality special education teachers. After a few years of teaching in special education, an individual can choose to advance into a department head position, or an administration position in the school district.
How much money does a special education professional make?A teacher's salary depends greatly on experience and location. The average national annual salary for a teacher is $46,000, with a low end of the spectrum making $26,000 and the higher end making $71,000. Beginning teachers, with just a bachelor's degree, earn an average of $31,700 a year. Private school teachers generally earn less than public school teachers, but may be given other benefits, such as free or subsidized housing. Teachers can boost their salary by volunteering to coordinate extracurricular activities or by perusing more education such as a master's degree.
What are the leading schools offering programs in Special Education ?- University of Phoenix - Education Founded in 1976, University of Phoenix Online is the largest private university in the United States offering Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in Education. The University of Phoenix also meets individual requirements set by state education departments which means a degree earned at the University of Phoenix is guaranteed to be honored in all states in the U.S. ( More Info )
- Grand Canyon University Online Founded in 1949 as a private, non-denominational Christian university, Grand Canyon University emphasizes individual attention and staff support. Students learn professional essentials for success in Education careers—all with the convenience of flexible online classes. ( More Info )
- Liberty University Online With more than 40 online degrees offered, Liberty University is a convenient, flexible, and affordable way to earn an accredited degree from a solid, Christian perspective. ( More Info )
- Walden University Walden University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees in management and doctoral and master's degrees in psychology, education and health and human services to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Walden University has over 30 years of experience delivering programs from a distance while maintaining its student-centered focus on quality and integrity. ( More Info )
- Capella University (Graduate) Capella University offers online graduate degree learning in Education, Human Services, Psychology, Business, and Technology. Students earn master and doctorate degrees while preparing for professional entry-level and advanced career opportunities - all without entering a classroom. ( More Info )
- Ashford University (Graduate) Founded in 1918, Ashford University (Graduate) specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from Master degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion for a degree in MBA or Master of Arts in Teaching/Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology. ( More Info )
- Graceland University Founded in 1895, Graceland University is a religiously affiliated school which offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The school offers Nursing and Education degrees in an entirely online format via its Global Campus. The Global campus offers convenience for busy working professionals who want to further their nursing or education careers. ( More Info )
- Abilene Christian University Since 1906, Abilene Christian University has provided a four-year private education to students desiring a Christian-based focus. Students have a variety of undergraduate majors to choose from, including healthcare, business, human services, criminal justice, and education. Online education allows busy working adults to take advantage of an ACU education. ( More Info )
- Richard W. Riley College The Richard W. Riley College of Education is part of Walden University. The College of Education offers an assortment of higher education degrees including master's and doctorates. Some programs are entirely online, whereas other programs are a combination of online coursework and face-to-face collaboration. ( More Info )
