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Careers in Special Education
Special education involves teaching of children, adolescents, teenagers and adults who are mentally, physically or psychologically handicapped and whose needs cannot be met in a traditional classroom environment. Different methods and techniques of teaching are used in order to keep in account the needs and requirements of the handicapped student. Those with degrees in special education can be employed in a number of places. These include private and public schools, as well as private learning centers. Careers in special education can also be found in correctional and mental health facilities.
Some of the careers in special education can lead to roles such as:
- Primary school special education instructor
- Teacher for the visually impaired
- Teacher for the hearing impaired
- Learning disabilities expert
- Art therapist
- Music therapist
- School counselor
- Speech therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Life skills coach
Special education teachers develop individual teaching plans for each student depending on his or her requirements. Apart from academic education, special education instructors also teach behavioral and social skills. As in any other field, the higher the level of education and experience you have, the higher the salary you can avail. A special education teacher can earn between 34,000 to 55,000 US dollars on average depending on whether the instructor is teaching at the primary, middle, secondary or high school level. The more the experience that is acquired, the higher the salary will be.
Special Education Degrees and Programs
Available Programs:
Liberty University Online
Penn Foster Career School
Those interested in building careers in special education can choose from a range of programs available at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Teacher training, curriculum development and behavioral management are some of the subjects taught during a special education program. Students learn to design and implement different syllabi based on an individual child’s disabilities. Also taught during the course of a special education program is how to handle disruptive behaviors in the classroom and make the environment conducive to learning. Other subjects taught include educational psychology, child development and communication techniques. Child assessment methods, counseling and behavioral support are also taught.
An undergraduate degree is the minimum requirement for a special education teaching job. However, employers prefer to hire those who have a graduate degree in the field. Doctoral degrees in special education are useful for those who wish to work on the administrative side or wish to carry out research in the area. Some of the programs available in special education include:
Special education teachers are required to be licensed. License requirements vary from state to state. Most states require the completion of coursework and supervised teaching practice. An examination also needs to be taken to obtain a teaching license.