Special education degrees online are degrees that can be earned online by students who want to become special education teachers. There are undergraduate and graduate special education degrees available from universities, though not all programs may be available in every state.
At the undergraduate level, special education degrees are generally bachelor’s degrees. These can be general teaching licenses or specific licenses for a specific age group or subject matter. In order to teach special education, you will need either a bachelor’s degree in general education or a special education license. A bachelor’s degree in general education may also require a master’s degree in special education if you want to teach at a secondary school level.
Online bachelor’s degrees in special education prepare students to earn their bachelor’s degree in an accredited university with the assistance of online coursework and on-campus tutoring services. It is possible to take these classes online while still earning your Master’s degree, though it may take longer than completing your coursework on campus.
Special education degrees online are available at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and certificate levels. Online degree programs in special education are designed for those who wish to work with students who have disabilities.
Online special education degrees are offered by a variety of educational institutions. For example, a student who is interested in becoming a teacher may pursue an online Associate of Arts in Teaching or a Bachelor of Science in Education. On the other hand, a student who is already employed as a teacher may choose to obtain a Master of Science in Education or an Advanced Certificate in Special Education.
Aspiring teachers must obtain state licensure before they can teach in a public school setting. Requirements vary by state; however, most states require aspiring teachers to complete at least one supervised teaching experience prior to receiving their license. The amount of time it takes to become licensed also varies by state, but most states require aspiring teachers to earn at least a bachelor’s degree and pass the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test and the Praxis II: Subject Assessments test.
Many people are seeking special education degrees online in order to become special education teachers. Special education teachers are needed in every state and oftentimes can be found working in one of the many public or private schools that serve students with disabilities.
The benefits of online special education degrees are that you can get your degree from the comfort of your home, and you don’t have to worry about the commute to classes. You can also work around your schedule and make time for your family. You don’t have to worry about taking time off of work or missing out on important family events, because you can go to school when it fits into your schedule.
The term “special education” includes students of all abilities who require specialized instruction and services from educators. This may include students with visual, hearing, physical and emotional impairments, as well as those who have learning disabilities.
An online degree program in special education can be very rewarding for those wanting to help others. Special education instructors must have the right skill set to meet the needs of each student they are assigned to teach. They must be adaptable; able to create and implement short-term goals in lieu of long-term learning plans; and able to evaluate their students’ progress daily, weekly and monthly.
Special education refers to a wide variety of programs designed to help children with disabilities succeed in school. Children who receive special education services may have physical, learning or emotional disabilities, including conditions like autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Depending on a child’s educational needs, the services they receive could include tailored lesson plans, specialized teaching equipment and one-on-one therapy sessions.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are developed collaboratively by a team of people who know the student well and are familiar with his or her disability. This team includes teachers, parents and specialists like occupational therapists. IEPs outline goals for each student and detail how their educational needs will be met.