How the Special Education Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Education is one of the most important career fields you can join. Enrollment in public primary and secondary schools is projected to increase eight percent by 2016, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. More students with either developmental problems or learning disabilities are being enrolled into schools as well. With the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, special education services for those students with learning conditions must be available from preschool through high school, according to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Special education teachers are responsible for nurturing the students in those programs, providing them with a quality education that they would not ordinarily be able to obtain in a traditional pace. To prepare for this important responsibility, special education majors take courses in childhood and early adolescent development, learning habits of students with varying levels of learning needs, curriculum adaptation for those with needs, and other topics related to the providing the best educational experience possible to those in a special education program. This educational background provides special education degree graduates with the experience and skills needed in the field.
Best Career Paths for Special Education Majors
Special education majors can teach a variety of subjects, making education a highly rewarding profession for those who desire to spread their passion for a particular subject to new audiences and those with a drive to help others. The best career paths for special education majors are:
- Elementary School Special Education. Special education elementary school teachers have the significant task of introducing the concept of education to those with learning disabilities or developmental problems such as students with autism or deafness. Teachers adapt the curricula being used in standard classrooms to suit the learning needs of their students. They may create a program that covers basic mathematics, reading and writing comprehension, science, and history, making sure that every student is learning and understanding the materials taught. Special education elementary school teachers make an average salary of $50,020 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- High School Special Education. High school special education teachers perform much of the same duties as elementary and middle school special education teachers. The classes they teach are more in-depth and challenging, corresponding with the materials being taught in a standard classroom at the school. High school special education teachers make an average salary of $51,340 annually, according to the Bureau.
Both of these positions take utilize the educational techniques that special education majors possess.
How to Market Your Special Education Degree
Earning a degree in special education is an important step towards starting your career. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the position. To do this, be specific about the skills you learned during your college career. For example, mention that your degree in special education helped you understand the importance of student communication, attention, and flexible course planning in providing quality education to those with learning needs. Reassuring employers and clients that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your degree in special education.
