When preparing for a career teaching students with disabilities, it’s important to know whether special education teachers should pursue a specialized or general education degree. Both types of degree programs can prepare candidates for success in the role of special education teacher at a public or private school. There are advantages and disadvantages to either path, so which choice is the right one varies from one student to another.
The Path to Becoming a Special Education Teacher
Every state in the U.S. requires special education teachers to have a bachelor’s degree. They must have a teaching license and coursework in teacher preparation. Whether special education teachers pursue a specialized or general education degree is largely up to the individual. A number of aspiring special education teachers do look for degree programs in special education. Minoring in special education as part of an elementary education major is also a popular choice, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported.
Pros and Cons of Special Education Degree Programs
Whether special education teachers pursue a specialized or general education degree, There are positives and negatives to pursuing a specialized or general education degree. For example, in a bachelor’s in special education degree program specifically, students can study in more depth the kinds of disabilities their future students may be coping with. They study the most effective ways to teach those students. They will gain hands-on experience working with special education classes during their student teaching experience.
However, bachelor’s degree programs in special education are harder to find than general education degrees, so choosing this path limits a student’s college selection. Additionally, students who focus narrowly on special education during their undergraduate studies spend less time learning general classroom management and teaching skills. Their degree and the skills they learn while attaining it are less versatile than a more general elementary education degree.
Pros and Cons of General Education Degrees for Special Education Teachers
There are benefits and drawbacks of a general education degree path for special education teachers, as well. Whether special education teachers should pursue a specialized or general education degree depends on how they view these pros and cons. One benefit is that it’s significantly easier to find degree programs for elementary education in general rather than for special education specifically. Having a more versatile academic background can also help candidates adapt to teaching roles outside of special education.
However, because they haven’t studied special education in-depth, these candidates don’t have the same level of knowledge of specific disabilities that teachers who majored in special education have. They also haven’t studied in detail how to tailor teaching methods to compensate for these various disabilities.
In a specialized or general education degree program, students can prepare for the career by taking as many special education courses as possible.
Related Resources:
- 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Special Education Degree Programs
- What is the Difference Between a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Teaching?
- What Type of Education Degree Program is Right for Me?
- What Will I Study in an Online Bachelor’s in Special Education Degree Program?
- Do I Still Need to Do Student Teaching if I Earn My Bachelor’s in Special Education Degree Online?