Though most people think of teaching positions when they think of Masters in Special Education jobs, earning an accredited Masters in Special Education degree allows for a diversity of career opportunities due to the training required to complete the degree. Coursework includes classes in human relations, special education law, motor skills assessment, leadership, emotional disorders, behavioral disorders, autism intervention, behavioral management and traumatic brain injury.
The top ranking Special Education degree programs include The Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University, which maintains a reputation of excellence in training teachers of all disciplines, including special education. Teachers who have no previous educational experience, but do have a bachelor’s degree in another field, may be interested in pursuing an online master’s degree from Liberty University.
5 Popular Masters in Special Education Jobs
Without a doubt, the most popular jobs for graduates of Masters in Special Education programs are teaching positions in pre-school, elementary, middle school, and high school classrooms. When earning their graduate degree, candidates are typically trained to teach students across the age spectrum, but a few degree programs do allow specialization based on age group. Most school districts allow special education teachers to focus on specific age groups. Salaries for special education teachers range from $30,000 to $60,000.
Another popular option for graduates with master’s degrees in special education is becoming a textbook writer or editor. In order to pursue this option, candidates need to have at least a master’s degree in special education and they need to have previous work experience in the classroom as a special education teacher. Salaries for writers and editors can range greatly, depending on the region that they live in. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary can be as low as $10 per hour and as high as $50,000 per year.
Positions as social and human services assistants are also Masters in Special Education Jobs that are available to people who graduate with a master’s degree in special education. The ability to work as part of a team is essential for people in this field, because they will be working alongside doctors, nurses, and therapists to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Other responsibilities include determining clients’ eligibility for social service assistance programs and helping clients with their daily activities. The median salary range for these Masters in Special Education Jobs starts at $13.56 and can reach as high as $18.89.
Becoming a juvenile detention corrections officer is something that individuals with a master’s degree in special education are qualified to do. While the primary job responsibility is overseeing the daily operations of the correctional facility, the ability to positively impact the lives of juvenile offenders makes this job an attractive option for many special education majors, despite the high risk of injury. The median annual salary for this position is $43,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Due to the increasing need for special education teachers, many colleges and universities are willing to hire individuals with a master’s degree as college professors. With a master’s degree, candidates may not be eligible for the type of tenure and other benefits afforded to post-secondary educators who have doctorate degrees. But they enjoy a flexible work schedule and a median annual salary of $62,000. The Masters in Special Education jobs at the post secondary level are typically found in community and regional college campuses.
