How to Become a Special Education Teacher

This career path is not just a job; it's a calling to make a significant difference in the lives of students with diverse learning needs. The overall need for special education teachers is expected to remain stable through 2035, with an average 37,100 job openings each year. 

Whether you're aspiring to become an elementary, middle, or high school special education teacher, understanding the landscape, from the necessary degrees and credentials, to the skills needed to be successful in the role, is essential.

Special education teacher degrees

Pursuing a career in special education begins with obtaining the right education. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for becoming a special education teacher, with many aspiring educators opting for a degree emphasis in special education or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These programs provide foundational knowledge in teaching methods, classroom management, and the principles of special education.

Bachelor's degrees

In the realm of teaching, a bachelor's degree serves as a foundational step preceding a master's degree, where specialization becomes important. While your undergraduate major can vary, there are bachelor's programs tailored specifically for those committed to an educational path from the outset, such as a BA in Liberal Studies with a Multiple Subject Credential track.

Depending on your aspirations within special education, you might tailor your practical experiences to settings involving students with diverse needs during your undergraduate studies.

Credentials

Special education teachers in California need to obtain additional authorizations or credentials, depending on their area of specialization. At UMass Global, we offer specific education degree programs that fulfill authorization and credential requirements. Keep in mind you will need to hold a teaching credential in order to enroll in an authorization program. Our credential and authorization programs include:

• Preliminary Education Specialist Instructional Credential, Extensive Support Needs
• Preliminary Education Specialist Instructional Credential, Mild to Moderate Support Needs

Master's degrees

An increasingly popular pathway to becoming a special education teacher is a Master of Arts in Teaching with a Preliminary Education Specialist Instructional Credential, Extensive Support Needs or a Master of Arts in Teaching with a Preliminary Education Specialist Instructional Credential, Mild to Moderate Support Needs. These combination degree programs provide teaching foundations to help students with extensive support needs, multiple disabilities, autism, or other serious impairments. At UMass Global, you can earn your special education teaching credential alongside a Master of Arts in Teaching with only three additional classes. Students can choose between a student-teacher pathway where UMass Global provides placement or an internship pathway enabling you to start teaching and earning a salary while completing your degree.

Advancing your skills

If you already have your teaching credential but are interested in advancing your expertise, there are multiple master’s programs available. If you’re interested in working with students who have autism, you may want to consider degree programs like a Master of Arts in Education or a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that provides an in-depth curriculum.

Getting your special education teaching credential in California

In California, obtaining a special education teaching credential, also known as an Education Specialist Instruction Credential, is a necessary step in the journey to becoming a special education teacher. In order to address the ongoing teacher shortage, California now provides multiple pathways to fulfill subject-matter competency.

• Prospective elementary, middle, and high school special education teachers can take and pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).
• Completing a CTC-approved subject matter preparation program.
• Earning a relevant bachelor’s degree or higher.
• In some cases, a combination of coursework, degree, and/or test scores can fulfill the subject matter competency requirement.

You will then need to complete a course or pass an exam of the U.S. Constitution. Next is to complete a CTC-approved Education Specialist Credential program in a specialty area. You will also be evaluated through the Education Specialist California Teaching Performance Assessment (EdSp CalTPA) for Mild to Moderate and Extensive Support Needs students. Lastly, you'll need a formal recommendation from a degree program sponsor. UMass Global automatically recommends students to CTC once they have completed their program requirements.

Make a difference in special needs education with UMass Global

The journey to become a special education teacher requires a deep commitment. The skills and personalized approach needed in this profession not only prepare educators to face a variety of classroom situations but also underscore the importance of dedication, empathy, and patience in shaping the educational experiences of their students. 

For those looking to pursue this important profession in California, UMass Global offers special education degree programs tailored to various areas of need to help you achieve your goal. 

Request more information about our Education Specialist Instructional Credentials or Master of Arts in Teaching programs or apply today.