TestTakingCentral.com - Free test taking tips

Special Education Degree

Earning a special education degree can be a way to begin a rewarding career. Special education teachers work with students who have cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities. Some of their students may have multiple disabilities, such as mental retardation, autism, traumatic brain injury, visual impairments, hearing impairments, or orthopedic impairments. Special education teachers can work with preschoolers, elementary school students, junior high students, or high school students. In most cases, special education teachers find ways to modify a general education curriculum in order to meet the needs of a particular student. For severely disabled students, however, they focus on teaching life skills and basic literacy. Search for great special education exam study tips here.

In most states, special education teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree before they can receive a teaching license. Most bachelor's degree programs take four years to complete, although a growing number are requiring a fifth year of study that includes specialized courses and a longer period of student teaching experience in a special education classroom.

Most special education teachers work in public or private schools, although some are employed at hospitals or residential facilities. If you want to advance to administrative positions in these areas or teach special education at a postsecondary level, you will need to earn a master's degree or a special education doctorate degree. Many schools offering these types of degree programs will allow you to complete portions of your coursework online, which can be helpful if you're planning to continue working full-time while earning your degree.

Last Updated: 04/01/2013