Special education coursework in addition to liberal arts classes comprise a four-year bachelor's degree. Course titles vary between institutions but often include foundations of special education, educational psychology, effective teaching practices with a focus on special education, assessment, evaluation and management practices as well as a teaching practicum semester. Students must pass all courses in accordance with the education department and may require a 2.5 GPA or higher. The development of a professional portfolio is also a requirement for graduation in some colleges or universities.
Some states require a master's degree to teach special education, in addition to bachelor's degree coursework. Attaining a master's degree allows graduates to seek national board professional teaching certification in the area of exceptional needs or research option as well as offering a learning behavior specialist II certification in curriculum, technology, transition and behavior intervention, for example. Those holding masters in special education often earn a higher pay rate than those with a bachelor's degree.
A doctoral degree allows students to assist and advance the special education field with their research with specializations in school administration, law, finance and instructional strategies. This level of education often leads to more advanced employment options to include special education counseling and higher education institution instruction, in addition to the doctoral specializations.
For those master's degree graduates in education who are seeking to switch their concentration to special education, the education specialist degree is an option that does not require the extensive coursework but results in the same outcome. Commonly, a 35 to 45 credit course plan is a rough equivalent to a second master's degree as an education specialist and may lead to positions as a school counselor or research and development specialist outside of special education teaching.