What it is
Special education prepares you to teach students with a wide range of learning, developmental, emotional, and physical disabilities — adapting instruction, writing IEPs, and helping every student access learning. It's one of the most needed and rewarding teaching fields.
Licensure: teaching in public schools requires a state teaching license/certification — typically a bachelor's in education (or a subject plus a teacher-prep program), supervised student teaching, and a licensing exam (e.g., Praxis).
What you'll study
Special education adds disability-focused training to the teaching core:
- Education coreChild/adolescent development, educational psychology, methods
- Special ed coreCharacteristics of disabilities, assessment, IEPs, behavior support, assistive technology, and special-education law (IDEA)
- PracticeField experience and a student teaching placement in special-ed settings
Concentrations & focus areas
- Learning DisabilitiesReading, math, and processing
- Autism SpectrumASD-focused instruction
- Emotional / BehavioralBehavior support
- Early Childhood Special EdYoung children
- Intellectual & DevelopmentalIDD support
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing, VisualSensory specialties
Skills you'll build
- Individualized instructionAdapting to each learner
- Assessment & IEPsPlanning and documentation
- Behavior managementPositive support
- CollaborationWith families and teachers
- Patience & advocacyChampioning students
Careers & job titles
- Special education teacherK–12 (most common)
- Early-intervention specialistYoung children
- Behavior specialistSchools and clinics
- Special-ed coordinator / directorWith a master's
- Educational diagnosticianAssessment roles
- Advocate / consultantSupporting families
Job outlook & demand
Special education is in strong, persistent demand — most states report shortages of special-education teachers, so job prospects are excellent. Overall employment is projected to grow modestly, and openings far exceed many other teaching fields.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, special education teachers had a median around $64,270, and it pays above general education at every level (secondary special-ed up to ~$74,260). Pay rises with experience and a master's degree.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's in special education + license is the entry path; a master's raises pay and opens coordinator/leadership roles.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you are patient, compassionate, and want to make a direct difference for students who need it most — with the best job security in teaching.
Strong choice: special education combines meaningful work, above-average teaching pay, and excellent demand. It can be emotionally demanding, so support and self-care matter.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- TeachesStudents with disabilities (K–12)
- StudyDisabilities, IEPs, behavior support, special-ed law
- DemandStrong; shortages in most states
- Pay~$64,270+ median; above general ed (BLS)
- DegreeBachelor's + license; master's to advance
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: