Special education refers to the teaching and support of individuals with additional educational needs and/or disabilities. It is most commonly studied at a postgraduate level but may also be studied by undergraduates, often as part of a broader degree such as a bachelor’s in education and special education.
Studying special education will educate and inform you about current thinking and best practices in teaching and/or working with people with additional needs. Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate compassion, patience and flexibility. A degree in special education will teach you how to create supportive and stimulating educational settings for SEN learners and/or more inclusive working environments for workforce members with additional needs.
Special educational needs educators (also known as SEN or SEND educators) typically work with children and young people, although some may also work with adults. SEN educators may work with learners with:
1. Physical disabilities
2. Sensory impairments
3. Developmental delays
4. Learning difficulties
5. Speech and language difficulties
6. Mental health problems
7. Autism
In a school context, SEN teachers may also work with gifted and talented pupils in need of educational challenges beyond the level of their peers. Subjects related to special education include psychology, education, psychology in education, inclusion and sensory programmes.
Depending on your course level and where you choose to study, a postgraduate degree in special education will typically take one to three years to complete. At the undergraduate level, you can usually expect a special education degree to take three or four years.
Special education degrees are usually taught as a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and group work, often alongside work placements or job shadowing. Some areas that your course may cover include:
1. SEN teaching theory and educational research
2. Pedagogical models
3. Diversity, inclusivity and mindfulness
4. Dealing with challenging behaviours
5. Education for learners with autism
6. Identifying and assessing learners with dyslexia
Special education may be studied at certificate, diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and even PhD level.
To study special education abroad, you must meet some basic entry requirements. At the undergraduate level, most institutions ask for:
1. Minimum 2 (but often 3) A-Levels or an equivalent qualification.
2. IELTS overall score of 5.5 (or equivalent).
At postgraduate level, you will likely need to have:
1. Obtained at least a 2:2 in a relevant undergraduate degree.
2. IELTS overall score of 6.5 (or equivalent).
3. Relevant employment or work experience.
Although not compulsory, a qualification in psychology, education or other related fields may benefit your application. Before you apply, remember to check your prospective university’s requirements and that your existing qualifications will be accepted.
If you hope to study special education overseas, why not explore some of the top-rated institutions for the subject? Are you hoping to attend university in the USA? The US News & World Report suggests the best places to study special education courses in the USA are:
1. Vanderbilt University (Peabody), Nashville
2. University of Kansas
3. University of Oregon
If you’d like to study special education in Canada, the Time Higher Education World University Rankings by subject states the top Canadian institutions for education and training are:
1. University of Toronto
2. University of British Columbia
3. McGill University
If you are hoping to supplement your teaching knowledge with a postgraduate degree but are worried about juggling the time constraints with work, why not consider studying special education online or part-time? Many universities offer these more flexible options to fit into postgraduate students’ busy lifestyles.
Many people decide to study special education as a route towards a career as a SEN teacher. Becoming a special educational needs educator is a rewarding career and one that is in high demand globally, meaning you can use your degree to teach abroad. However, before you can become a SEN teacher, you will need to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through some form of initial teacher training.
Common routes towards obtaining QTS are an undergraduate teacher training degree or a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). If you want to specialise in a particular area of SEN teaching, you may also have to take additional courses.
For example, in the UK, a mandatory qualification in sensory impairment is required before you are qualified to teach learners with visual or hearing impairments. Once qualified, a special educational needs teacher in the UK can typically expect to earn a yearly salary of GBP 28,000 to GBP 39,000.
Many other professions particularly suit graduates of special education, for example:
1. SEN teaching assistant or paraeducator
2. Recreational therapist
3. School counsellor
4. Educational specialist
5. Speech and language therapist
6. Human resources officer
