Special Education Degrees

Overview

Special education is a branch of the education system that is specially designed for students with special requirements. This group of students may include physically and mentally challenged children who are unable to learn in a typical classroom. Students with learning disability, emotional and behavior disorders, physical disabilities, and development disabilities are greatly benefited through this education system.

If you wish to be a part of this education system and become a special education teacher, then you have to pursue a degree in special education. The special education degree provides you with skills and training to educate special children. This extends beyond the standard education in terms of additional coursework and in-depth expertise. Even if you are a regular teacher, you can still pursue the special education degree. You can choose for bachelor degree programs in special education with specialization in your core subject.

The curriculum of the special education degree may generally include courses on social work and development disabilities, abnormal psychology, language and reading instruction, classroom management, and educational participation in clinical experience. The duration of the course may range from one to three years.

Benefits

Special education teachers are in great demand and this number is only expected to increase further by 15 percent in the decade of 2006 to 2016, making it one of the fastest growing professions. The salary package for the special education teacher is attractive too. If you are a special education teacher at the kindergarten, you can expect a salary package of $46,000 to $76,000 per annum, while at the primary or secondary level, you can earn an average salary of $62,000 to $80,000 annually. But the job satisfaction and the service to the society provided by a special education teacher are immeasurable.

Costs

The cost of a special education degree varies depending on the college or university at which you choose to study. The average tuition fee ranges from $20,000 to $25,000 per annum. You may look for a scholarship or financial aid either from your college or from other sources to help you bear the financial burden.

Schools

There are many colleges in the United States of America that offer special education bachelor's degrees. There are also some colleges which provide online bachelor's degrees. The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin are some of the colleges which offer a bachelor's degree in special education. For more information on finding a campus or an online special education degree course, you may log on to Education Centre Online, which has a list of featured schools for your reference.

Testing & Preparation

Students who aspire to pursue the special education degree must have completed high school certificate with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5. You should have completed 13 core academic requirements such as English, mathematics, social sciences, and natural sciences. The International students are selected for admission based on their academic performance and the scores of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In addition they must have cleared the American College Test (ACT) with a high percentage.

As a special education teacher, you must be patient, able to motivate, understand the special needs, and accept the differences of your students. You should also be creative to apply different types of teaching methods which will benefit the children. Communication and cooperation are equally vital skills because special education teachers spend a lot of time interacting with students and their parents.

Financial Aid

Certain individuals or organizations offer scholarships to students on a predetermined criterion. The Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois has a financial aid program well in place. In addition to assistantships, traineeships, and grant programs, it offers a number of monetary awards to the special education students. Some of them are Joann Bargiel Eisenberg Scholarship, Robert Bruce Reinoehl Memorial Award, and Bansau Scholarships. The College Scholarships Foundation is a great place to begin your search for a variety of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid to help you pursue your education in any field and at any level. If you plan to take a loan, then the Student Loan Network is a good source to procure a wide range of loans.