Masters Degree in Special Education
Masters Degree in Special Education Facts
Anyone wishing to teach special education programs generally requires a full masterīs in order to have a full understanding of each aspect that the position will entail. This will also help individuals to make a great impact on the lives of those in need of special education. The masterīs degree in special education usually appears at colleges and universities as a masterīs in education (MS.Ed.) with certification or special focus on special education. Within the degree curriculum is opportunity for further specialization, such as inclusion education. Inclusion education programs, offered for example, at the University of New England, focus on teaching special education in inclusion settings, so that disabled students learn with their peers.
Tops Schools for a Special Education Masters Degree
Vanderbilt University, University of Kansas, University of Oregon, University of Florida and University of Texas at Austin are the top five schools for the Masters degree in special education according to U.S. News and World Report. In addition, popular online programs include Liberty University Online and Capella University. Coursework generally prepares students to address the particular educational as well as developmental needs of special education students. For example, masterīs level students may learn how to diagnose behavioral and emotional disturbances or take courses in teaching life skills such as independent living and social interaction. Coursework may also prepare students for work after graduation with special training in a particular special education subfield.
Work Possible with a Masters Degree in Special Education
Special education teachers may work in the classroom setting or give private instruction, providing one-one-one time to students with a variety of disabilities. For instance, some may specialize in teaching students with learning disabilities, speech and hearing impairments, or behavioral issues. A small percentage of special education teachers work with autistic students or those with both physical and mental handicaps. Before obtaining employment, aspiring special education teachers are required to be licensed by the applicable state board of education. Licensure varies from state to state, but mainly requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree and supervised training. Some states require specialization, while others offer a generalized license that covers several types of disabilities such as ADHD or speech impediments.
Salary and Outlook in Special Education
In 2009, the yearly salary for kindergarten, elementary and preschool special education teachers was $53,770. Middle school and secondary school special education teachers received $54,750 and $56,420 per year, respectively. These salary rates are slightly higher than that of teachers of standard school curriculum due to the special skills and demands of the profession. The job outlook for special education teachers is extremely favorable with job growth expected to experience a 17 percent increase by 2018. This is much faster than average for all occupations and is likely to be the result of a lack of qualified special education teachers across the country resulting in high demand.
The favorable job outlook and high end teacher's salary for this position certainly make it a worthwhile profession to look into as a possible career. Due to the high level of specialization needed, it's a good idea to enhance your background with a masterīs degree in special education.