Major:
Special Education and Teaching Major
Description: A general program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as special education teachers. Includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counseling, and applicable laws and policies.
Is Special Education and Teaching the right major for you?
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What Kinds of Students Major in Special Education?
In this major, many individuals in this field will be presented the challenge of educating students with significant learning disabilities. Students in this major have a high desire to help students, children and adults, who require special attention and increased levels of support in order to become productive citizens. There is a high demand for qualified teachers in this area.
Is Special Education the right major for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors!
What Courses Do Special Education Majors Take?
The required and elective courses you would take for Special Education majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.
Moderate/Severe Disabilities |
Assessment in Special Education |
Assistive Technology |
Behavior Management |
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity |
Human Development and Learning |
Issues in Special Populations |
Mild/Moderate Disabilities |
What other majors are related to Special Education and Teaching?
• Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
• Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor
• Agricultural Teacher Education
• Art Teacher Education
• Biology Teacher Education
• Business Teacher Education
• Chemistry Teacher Education
• College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
• Computer Teacher Education
• Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
• Drama and Dance Teacher Education
• Driver and Safety Teacher Education
• Early Childhood Education and Teaching
• Earth Science Teacher Education
• Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
• Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs
• Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs
• Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs
• Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Mental Retardation
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness
• Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented
• Elementary Education and Teaching
• English/Language Arts Teacher Education
• Environmental Education
• Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
• Foreign Language Teacher Education
• French Language Teacher Education
• Geography Teacher Education
• German Language Teacher Education
• Health Occupations Teacher Education
• Health Teacher Education
• History Teacher Education
• International and Comparative Education
• Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
• Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
• Latin Teacher Education
• Learning Sciences
• Mathematics Teacher Education
• Montessori Teacher Education
• Music Teacher Education
• Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
• Physics Teacher Education
• Psychology Teacher Education
• Reading Teacher Education
• Sales and Marketing Operations/Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education
• School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist
• Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
• Secondary Education and Teaching
• Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
• Social Science Teacher Education
• Social Studies Teacher Education
• Spanish Language Teacher Education
• Special Education and Teaching
• Speech Teacher Education
• Student Counseling and Personnel Services
• Teacher Assistant/Aide
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
• Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
• Teaching Assistants/Aides
• Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
• Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
• Teaching French as a Second or Foreign Language
• Technical Teacher Education
• Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
• Trade and Industrial Teacher Education
• Waldorf/Steiner Teacher Education

Find YOUR college major
The fastest way toward knowing if Special Education and Teaching is the major for you is to take this quiz to find your best college majors.
What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
Various specializations related to a major in Special Education may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:
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