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Special Education Degree Programs
Online Special Education
Looking for online accredited career colleges and universities offering Special Education degrees. Each program from a Online Career College, a post-secondary for-profit institution, offers an education with an in-demand career field. As total higher education enrollment decreases, student enrollment in courses and degree programs at online colleges continues to rise. Today, millions of college students choose to take some or all of their courses online. Special education teachers and special education administrators are in demand.
Online Special Education Degrees
Train for a special education degree
A special education degree allows you to work with students who have specific needs beyond those of most students so that they can also experience advancement in learning. Some may have learning disabilities while others may have physical challenges.
Career colleges prepare students for special education training
Top special education programs focus on teaching and educational services for children or adults who have special learning needs or disabilities. Special education training often takes longer than general education teacher programs. Career colleges and schools offer courses in:
- Developing individual education plans
- Instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities
- Special education counseling
- Teaching and supervising special education students
All states as well as the District of Columbia require licensure. In some states, special education teachers obtain a general teaching certificate with a focus on specialty training in learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. For traditional licensing, all states require:
- A minimum of a bachelor's degree
- Completion of an accredited teacher program
- Supervised practice teaching
- State licensing
Prospects for special education teachers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for special education teachers are expected to increase by 17 percent, 2008-2018. Secondary education teachers earned a mean annual wage of $58,080 in 2010.
Due to many students having learning disabilities diagnosed at an earlier age, the preschool and elementary special education teacher occupations are expected to increase by 20 percent, 2008-2018. Many students receive a head start in education by entering these early-childhood education programs at a young age. In 2010, the BLS reported those working in the field received a mean annual salary of $55,220.
