Top Special Education Schools
- Liberty University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Grand Canyon University Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Western Governors Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
Special Education Teacher Training
Special education teachers work with children with mild or moderate disabilities. They modify lesson plans and use creative teaching techniques to promote not only learning, but life and social skills as well. A certain amount of education, special education teacher training, and licensing is required to become a special education teacher.
Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in special education teacher training can be obtained from most universities. Special education teachers require more schooling than those studying to teach general education. Bachelor’s degrees require four years to complete and they include specialized courses in special education.
Special education teacher training also requires students to spend a year as a student teacher in a special education classroom. Many universities are now requiring graduate-level courses and an extra year of education before degree completion.
Licensing
Special education teachers in each of the 50 states must be licensed. Licenses are usually granted by each state’s board of education. Some states offer general special education licenses, while others offer licenses for specialties within special education.
Licensing requirements vary by state. However, the following are all required in each state:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Completion of an accredited special education teaching program
- Minimum amount of education credits
- Supervised teaching experience
Some states may require a master’s degree, which requires a specialization and an additional year of education. Others may require prospective teachers to pass a professional assessment.
Other Qualifications
Completing the education requirements does not automatically make someone a suitable special education teacher. Special education teachers need an enormous amount of patience. They must be comfortable working with students with disabilities and be accepting of their differences and individual needs. They also need creativity to adapt lesson plans to the needs of each student. Excellent communication skills are also important, since special education teachers frequently interact with students, parents, and school faculty.
