If you have a passion for teaching, an interest in helping students with behavioral disorders and/or learning disabilities overcome their personal obstacles, and love to be inventive, innovative, and creative in your teaching style and technique, a degree in Special Education could be a great fit for you.

Types of Degrees

Special Education students typically pursue a bachelor's degree (4 years) or master's degree (6-7 years) prior to entering the teaching industry. In this field, a bachelor's degree is usually required for employment in any public or private school, with state licensure also often required before one can teach professionally. A master's degree can lead to a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist or to teaching-related positions in school or curriculum management, administration, and/or consultancy.

Admission Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required, with a strong academic background helping applicants obtain acceptance into their desired school. Each school has its own specific requirements, making it important for you to explore several options before settling on a particular school.

Career Opportunities After Earning A Special Education Degree

The range of career opportunities available to someone with a degree in Special Education include:

• Special Education Teacher
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Post Graduate Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Special Education Teachers was $65,910 in 2023 ¹ while Speech-Language Pathologists earned a median salary of $89,290 in 2023. ²

Note that the average salary varies widely not only depending on career chosen, but on geographical location and employer. Conditions in your area may vary.

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Careers associated with these educational opportunities often require additional degrees and certifications not offered as part of the educational opportunities presented by this website.
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.