Top Special Education Schools

1. Liberty University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
2. Grand Canyon University Click for Recommended Degree Program
3. Western Governors Online Click for Recommended Degree Program

Special Education Teacher Programs

Special education teachers enjoy some of the top careers in education. Although all education professionals enjoy a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction, none experience it to the level of special education teachers. These caring individuals dedicate their lives to providing much-needed services to students with a range of disabilities or issues to overcome. If you would like to work in this exciting and challenging career, find one of the great special education teacher programs, go back to college, and start your career training to work as a special education teacher.

Education and training at special education teacher programs

Many traditional and online colleges and universities across the country offer special education teacher programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Training to become a special education teacher generally takes longer than that of a regular teacher, typically requiring a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s program with at least one additional year graduate-level coursework. Some special education teacher programs require specialization, but many offer a general special education degree. Regardless of the specific program, the final year is usually spent as supervised teaching in a classroom environment.

All states require licensure for special education teachers, though the particular requirements for licensure may vary from one state to the next. In some states, teachers receive general education credentials for kindergarten through 12^th grade. They must then train in a special education field such as behavioral disorders or learning disabilities. Other states offer general special education licensure. Some states have reciprocity agreements, which honor licensing from other states but in most cases you will have to re-apply and get a new license to work in another state.

Nature of the job

It is the of a special education teacher to conduct screenings and testing to determine a child’s eligibility for special education services and the type of services they need to reach their full potential. As a special education teacher, you will work with other professionals including speech language pathologists, physical therapists, regular education teachers, occupational therapists, and more to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for your students. You will also advise family members and regular classroom teachers on methods and procedures to help the child succeed.

Since a special education teacher must keep impeccable records and meet often with parents and others, excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must. In addition, a successful special education teacher should be a talented problem solver and planner and must be able to work well under stress.

When you attend special education teacher programs for your training, you are preparing yourself to enter one of the most personally satisfying careers in the educational field. It can also be a financially satisfying career, as special education teachers earn an average of between $40,000 and $55,000 a year, plus employment benefits. If you have been considering entering a career in education and you truly want to make a valuable difference in the lives of children, special education is the job for you.