What do you take in college/university to become a special needs teacher?

In general, I know you need a B.ED, but what do you take to specialize in education for Special Needs students? Do you specialize your masters towards that, or are there special programs you can take at some universities that offer courses in special needs education? If so, do you know which colleges and universities offer courses in this?

Some schools offer an undergrad major in special ed and/or and elementary ed degree with certification in special ed. It is also widely available as a Master's degree program. Look at the websites of schools that interest you and see how their program works. This may vary from state to state as to specific requirements.

See the website below for one example.

May 10, 2009 | Filed Under Special Needs 

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2 Responses to “What do you take in college/university to become a special needs teacher?”

  1. Cynthia LY on May 11th, 2009 4:56 am

    Education and training. Many colleges and universities across the United States offer programs in special education at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree levels. Special education teachers usually undergo longer periods of training than do general education teachers. Most bachelor’s degree programs last years and include general and specialized courses in special education. However, an increasing number of institutions require a 5th year or other graduate-level preparation. Among the courses offered are educational psychology, legal issues of special education, child growth and development, and strategies for teaching students with disabilities. Some programs require specialization, while others offer generalized special education degrees or a course of study in several specialized areas. The last year of the program usually is spent student teaching in a classroom supervised by a certified teacher.

    Licensure. All 50 States and the District of Columbia require special education teachers to be licensed. The State board of education or a licensure advisory committee usually grants licenses, and licensure varies by State. In some States, special education teachers receive a general education credential to teach kindergarten through grade 12. These teachers then train in a specialty, such as learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. Many States offer general special education licenses across a variety of disability categories, while others license several different specialties within special education.

    Personnel Preparation Programs
    Search for U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Grants

    Search the Personnel Preparation Programs database to find community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, school districts, or regional resource centers that will prepare you to work with infants, young children and youth with disabilities, and their families. Many of these programs require minimal coursework and will lead to full state certification and allow you to work in a classroom full time while you are being trained.

    There are over 2500 personnel preparation programs offering certification programs in special education, early intervention and the related services. You can search the database by entering search terms in one or more of the fields below, then click the "Search" button.

    more info here:
    http://www.personnelcenter.org/get.cfm#OSEP

    main site:
    http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos070.htm#addinfo
    References :

  2. glaciergran on May 11th, 2009 5:15 am

    Some schools offer an undergrad major in special ed and/or and elementary ed degree with certification in special ed. It is also widely available as a Master's degree program. Look at the websites of schools that interest you and see how their program works. This may vary from state to state as to specific requirements.

    See the website below for one example.
    References :
    http://www.desales.edu/default.aspx?pageid=561

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