Special Education, Special Needs Education

Enormous Need for Special Education Teachers
There are over 6 million special education students in the U.S., according to the NEA. These children have a wide array of disabilities: autism, mental retardation, physical disabilities, speech or hearing disabilities, learning disabilities, and more. Special education teachers play a vital and indispensable role in these students' daily lives and future potential. Unfortunately, there has been and continues to be a a severe shortage of special education teachers. The shortage results from high turnover, retirement, and increase in diagnoses.

Special Education Overview
Special education is one of the most in-demand fields of education in our country. The National Education Association (NEA) estimates there are more than 6 million special education students in the United States. Special education students present a wide variety of learning disabilities including autism, language or speech impairments, auditory processing disorders, or physical impairments that impact classroom performance or participation, such as hearing or vision impairments. Some states, such as Tennessee, also classify academically gifted or talented students as special education students because of their need for increased rigor and challenge in the classroom.

A small number of special education teachers work with students with severe cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities. These teachers focus primarily on life skills (such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and self-grooming) and basic literacy and mathematics. The majority of special education teachers work with children with mild to moderate disabilities and classroom teachers to modify the curriculum and assist with the selection of teaching and assessment methods most advantageous for the student. Most special education teachers instruct students at the preschool, elementary, middle, and secondary school level, although some work with infants and toddlers.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that all individuals determined to have learning or physical disabilities be taught in the “least restrictive method possible.” This has caused a paradigm shift in the field of education. Only individuals with severe disabilities are taught outside the main classroom. Those with moderate disabilities often receive what is known as “pull-out services” where a special education teacher will pull student(s) out of the regular classroom to work on basic or remedial skills. Individuals with mild disabilities will receive assistance in the regular classroom or the classroom teacher may merely consult with the special education teacher to modify lessons, projects, or assessments.

Special education teachers work in a variety of settings. Some have their own classrooms and teach only special education students; others work as special education resource teachers and offer individualized help to students in general education classrooms; still others teach together with general education teachers in classes including both general and special education students. Some teachers work with special education students for several hours a day in a resource room, separate from their general education classroom. Considerably fewer special education teachers work in residential facilities or tutor students in homebound or hospital environments.

Special Education Teacher Qualifications
Special education teachers are required to be licensed by their state department of education. Teachers can accomplish this with a bachelor’s degree or by pursuing a graduate-level certificate program or masters degree in special education. Because of the high demand for special education teachers, most states have approved alternative certification routes.

Special education assistants are also in high demand. Most states require teaching assistants working in special education to have completed college coursework, usually the equivalent of an associate’s degree, in special education.

Individuals studying early childhood education will cover topics such as:

• Child Growth and Development
• Assessment Methodologies
• Adaptive Technology
• Instructional Strategies

Most States require a prospective teacher to pass a professional assessment test. Some States have reciprocity agreements allowing special education teachers to transfer their licenses from one State to another, but many others still require that experienced teachers reapply and pass licensing requirements to work in the State.

Special Education Career Advancement
Special education teachers can advance their careers. They can become supervisors or administrators. They also may earn advanced degrees and become instructors in colleges that prepare others to teach special education. In some school systems, highly experienced teachers can become mentors to less experienced teachers.

Special Education Teacher Career Outlook
Job opportunities for special education teachers is excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of special education teachers needed is expected to increase by 17 percent (81,000 jobs) from 2008 to 2018.

Special Education Teaching - MEd
The Master of Science Special Education Teaching curriculum, developed around national special education standards, is designed to help you effectively teach children who have a variety of learning disabilities and come from diverse populations. You will study the latest strategies, practices, and techniques for teaching children with learning disabilities, and participate in field experiences that will allow you to apply your skills in real-life situations. People likely to be interested in this specialization include licensed teachers and special education teachers seeking a license in special education teaching with an endorsement in learning disabilities.

Special Education - Bachelor of Arts
The B.A. in Special Education (PK-12) teaches the content knowledge and effective teaching skills to become a special education instructor for students with mild to moderate disabilities. This degree is a cross-categorical model for initial certification. You’ll become a highly qualified educator prepared to make a difference with those who need it most. In some states, the program will lead to dual licensure in Elementary Education and Special Education.

Special Education - Master of Science
The M.S. in Special Education (PK-12) will enhance your teaching talents and enable you to teach students with mild to moderate cross-categorical disabilities. You will become an endorsed special education teacher with the instructional design skills to make a difference.

Special Education Teaching - MS
The Master of Science Special Education Teaching curriculum, developed around national special education standards, is designed to help you effectively teach children who have a variety of learning disabilities and come from diverse populations. You will study the latest strategies, practices, and techniques for teaching children with learning disabilities, and participate in field experiences that will allow you to apply your skills in real-life situations. People likely to be interested in this specialization include licensed teachers and special education teachers seeking a license in special education teaching with an endorsement in learning disabilities.

Special Education Leadership - PhD
This specialization provides a strong foundation in general P–12 educational administration, along with focused course work in special education administration, instructional strategies, law, and finance. People who choose this specialization include those pursuing special education leadership positions at the building, district, state, or national level; higher education faculty positions; or consulting positions in the field of special education.

Special Education - MS
The Master of Science in Special Education program at Drexel University seeks to produce professionals who are equipped with the fundamental skills, knowledge, and competencies they will need to meet the needs of students at risk for and with disabilities in multiple settings.

Four concentrations are available: autism, technologies for special education, languages and cultural issues, and customization.

Mild / Moderate Special Education - MEd
The Master in Education - Mild/ Moderate Special Education is designed to enhance the teaching skills of K-12 Mild/Moderate Special Education teachers, or for teachers who have mild/ moderate students within their non-special education classroom. It is a curricular and instructional methodologies based degree with a diagnostic testing course to administer and use results for individual and classroom instruction. Either a K-6 or 7-12 emphasis is available. Program topics, learning experiences and outcomes are based on the five core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Additionally, this program is aligned with the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) content standards. This program can be typically completed in two years. This degree does lead to Iowa or Missouri licensure. Other states may also accept this for licensure. Each student should check with their own state to determine requirements and acceptance.

Differentiated Instruction - Master's Level Certificate
This program consists of 15 semester hours based on the philosophy and theories of Dr. Carol Tomlinson. Addressing the issue of response to intervention (RTI), this program provides a thorough introduction to differentiated instruction. Dr. Tomlinson, who appears as a video instructor in several of the program's courses, is a world-renowned expert in differentiated instruction and assessment strategies and techniques. Dr. Tomlinson is author of The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners, How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms and Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom: Strategies and Tools for Responsive Teaching. The program provides meaningful course of study regardless of subject area certification and is open to all licensed K-12 teachers who are currently teaching.

• Differentiated Instruction - MEd

Special Education - MAT
Liberty University's Master of Arts in Teaching, with a specialization in Special Education is specifically geared toward individuals with no prior teaching experience who are interested in gaining initial teaching licensure in special education. Along with core courses in this program, you will study behavior management, educational assessment and intervention, collaboration for special transitions, and build strategies for successful inclusive classrooms. In addition, you will complete your student teaching requirement in the area in which you are seeking licensure. A three-credit hour student teaching internship is required, and on-campus intensives may be required. This program is approved through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and is a state-approved program for initial licensure (reciprocity with other states) or endorsements. As the world's largest evangelical university, Liberty University incorporates core Christian values into all of their degree offerings in order to provide all students a thorough academic and spiritually enriching program of study.

Teaching & Learning / Special Education - MEd
Liberty University's Master of Education - Teaching and Learning program with a concentration in special education prepares you for teaching in Christian, public and private schools. You will master skills to become an effective teacher, focusing on special education. Courses provide specialized preparation for individuals seeking credentials for a K-12 school position or those with a desire to further their education and pursue either an Ed.S. or Ed.D. A three-credit hour student teaching internship is a required part of the M.Ed. program, and on-campus intensives may be required. This program is approved through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and is a state-approved program for advanced licensure (reciprocity with other states) or endorsements.

Behavior Intervention in Autism - Graduate Certificate
This 15-credit certificate from the UMass Boston Graduate College of Education is designed for in-service teachers who do not seek a master's degree at this time or for those who have already earned an advanced degree. The purpose of the Certificate is to prepare teachers to meet the National Technology Standards of the International Society of Technology and the Performance Indicators for Teachers and the Massachusetts Recommended Pre-K-12 Instructional Technology Standards.

Curriculum & Instruction - Autism Studies - MEd
The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies Option is a 30-credit (10-course) master's degree program which can be completed entirely online. Offered through UMass Lowell's Graduate School of Education in cooperation with the Psychology Department, this interdisciplinary program combines UMass Lowell's award-winning Behavioral Intervention in Autism online graduate certificate program with one of the University's most popular online Master's degree programs in Curriculum and Instruction. Please note: This program does not lead to teacher licensure.

Exceptional Student Education - MEd
This specialization prepares educators to address the needs of students with disabilities and gifted abilities by preparing such students to develop, implement and assess specially designed curriculum. Attention is given to teaching methods and strategies that illustrate an advocacy for these student groups. The specialization can be customized to meet the Learner's unique professional and personal goals, and allows the Learner to concentrate their coursework on the advanced and the disabled student, or select a single focus.

Exceptional Student Education - Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies
The CAGS is designed for Learners who work with gifted and disabled students in a variety of settings. The course offerings cover a wide spectrum of issues related to individuals with disabilities, including the development and characteristics of learners, learning differences, and instructional strategies to address the needs of these students. Additionally, the CAGS will provide the skills to plan, assess, and deliver instruction to students with mental, physical, behavioral, learning disabilities, and the gifted student.

Special Education - MAEd
The Master of Arts in Education (MAED) with a specialization in Cross-Categorical Special Education is a graduate degree program preparing candidates for teacher licensure in the field of special education. Candidates for this program have already earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to gain the pedagogical skills and knowledge that will assist them in becoming effective special education educators. The program’s curriculum includes orientation to the exceptional child, foundations and methodologies of mild disabilities, diagnosis and assessment of disabilities, structured English immersion, reading and language arts instruction, inclusion strategies, and collaboration and resource management for the special educator. Throughout the program, students are required to complete verified field experiences with the focus of each observation relating to specific course content. Documentation will be maintained in the student’s electronic portfolio.

For program disclosure information, click here

Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K-12) - MSEd
If you are an experienced special educator with the desire to enhance your skills by incorporating the latest developments in the field into your program, this specialization offers a path to continuing professional achievement. Walden's M.S. in Education with a Special Education specialization synthesizes the most current research in the arenas of neuroscience, assessment, and scientifically based interventions so that you can determine best practices for student learning.

• Special Education Endorsement Program - Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12)
• Special Education Endorsement Program - Learning Disabilities (K-12)
• Special Education Endorsement Program with M.S. in Special Education - Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12)
• Special Education Endorsement Program with M.S. in Special Education - Learning Disabilities (K-12)
• Teacher Preparation Program with M.A. in Teaching - Special Education, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
• Teacher Preparation Program with M.A. in Teaching - Special Education, Learning Disabilities

Special Education - MS
If you are an experienced special educator with the desire to enhance your skills by incorporating the latest developments in the field into your program, this specialization offers a path to continuing professional achievement. Walden's M.S. in Education with a Special Education specialization synthesizes the most current research in the arenas of neuroscience, assessment, and scientifically based interventions so that you can determine best practices for student learning.