The right to a free, basic education is a right that most of us have benefited from throughout our lives. Special education services ensure that this right is easily accessible for every student, no matter their individual needs. If you want to make a difference in the lives of exceptional students and seek to help uphold this crucial right, careers in special education may interest you!
What Is Special Education?
Special education is a series of classes and learning opportunities for students with special needs. Students who benefit from special education services cannot have their individual needs met in the traditional classroom environment. Special education programs offer services to children as early as the toddler years. These services continue on into adulthood for many students.
What Degree Should I Have To Work In Special Education?
People who work in the Special Education field have a variety of college degrees between them. To be a special education teacher, it is customary to have a teaching degree with a certificate in special education, or a degree in special education. Teacher’s Assistants may have earned a bachelor’s degree; however, some states allow people with only some college under their belts but no degree to fill these positions.
Students interested in careers in school administration will most likely need to earn a master’s in Education before they can meet their goals. Other special education positions require degrees in psychology or social work. As you can see, the degree you should possess will vary greatly depending on which career you intend to pursue.
What Careers Are Available in Special Education?
Just as there are many students with many different sets of needs, there is a plethora of special education career choices. Choose from:
- Special Education Teacher
- Early Intervention Therapist
- Art Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Interpreter
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Educational Diagnostician
- Special Education Administrator
- and many other rewarding careers.
What is the Employment Outlook for Careers in Special Education?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook for special education teachers should remain steady through 2024, with a increase of 6%, the national average for job growth in the United States. The median salary for this position is just over $55,000 annually.
The career outlook for occupational therapists projects a 27% increase in demand through 2024, with a median annual salary of $78,810. This job growth is much greater than the national average. Recreational therapists are also growing in demand with a 12% job growth projected through 2024. The median salary of a recreational therapist in 2014 was $44,000 annually.
Assistants who work alongside special education teachers will see a 6% increase in demand until 2024. Jobs in Case Management is expected to grow faster than the national average at 10% with a median salary of $u62,740 per year
Take You First Steps Toward A Rewarding Career
The field of special education is an excellent choice for students who want to be hired after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Whether you are a high school student just starting to look at college options, or a student finishing up your sophomore year of college and getting ready to declare a major in this field, you’re in luck. Careers in special education will only continue to grow.
See also: 50 Most Affordable Private Non-Profit Schools for a Master’s in Special Education Program 2015
