Become a Special Education Teacher
Special Ed Job Description
Special ed programs prepare educators to teach students with special needs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, special ed teachers are currently in demand in the US and Canada, and employment is expected to increase faster than average through 2014. If you have patience and love to work with children, a career in special ed might be right for you.
Students with special needs require teachers with specialized training who are committed to helping those most in need. These students also require dedicated advocates to ensure that their rights to the appropriate quality education are met. Special ed teachers provide assessment and intervention services to a culturally diverse population of students with disabilities (pre-K to 12th grade). Most teacher training programs offer emphasis in developmental and learning disabilities, autism, and emotional disturbances, and are designed to prepare teachers to educate students who may be served in a variety of educational settings, including public or private schools, regional programs, residential schools, institutions, and correctional facilities.
The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is an organization dedicated to meeting the needs of special ed teachers and those preparing for the field of special ed teaching. If you are interested in becoming a special ed teacher, NASET is a great organization to join for resources and specialty expertise.
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Special Ed Certification Requirements
You have to be licensed to become a special ed teacher. The State Board of Education or a licensing advisory committee usually grants licenses, and licensing varies by state. Some states require that special ed teachers receive a general education credential to teach kindergarten through high school. These teachers then train in a specialty, such as learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. Other states offer general special ed licenses across a variety of disability specialties for a broad education.
For traditional licensing, all states require a bachelor’s degree and the completion of an approved teacher preparation program, which involves subject-matter and education credits mixed with supervised practice teaching. Many states also require a master’s degree and/or a professional assessment test. Whichever path you decide to take, make sure you research the special ed certification requirements in the state in which you plan to teach.
Special Ed Alternative Certification
Many states also offer alternative routes to licensing since there are not enough graduates from education programs to meet the demand for special ed teachers. Requirements vary by state, but generally require a student to:
- obtain a bachelor’s degree;
- successfully accomplish a period of supervised preparation and induction; and
- pass a special ed assessment test.
In some programs, individuals begin teaching quickly under a provisional license and can obtain a regular license after teaching under the supervision of licensed teachers for a one to two year period while completing required education courses. Alternative certification is competitive, but a very cost-effective and rewarding way of achieving your special ed degree while earning a teacher's salary.
See Teacher Shortage for more details, and contact your state Department of Education to learn what special education options exist for temporary certification in your state.