Special Education Schools and Programs in The United States

Special Education Studies in The United States

Special education prepares teachers and other professionals to work with children and young people who have learning, mental, emotional or physical disabilities. In the United States it is a large field within teacher education: according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), special education teachers work with students from preschool to high school, mostly in public schools, and adapt general lessons or teach basic life skills depending on each student's needs. A central tool of the job is the Individualized Education Program (IEP), a written plan with each student's goals and the services they receive.

Degrees and licensure

• Bachelor's degrees in special education, often leading to a state teaching licence
• Master's degrees in special education, for licensed teachers or career changers
• Licensure-only and endorsement programmes for people who already hold a degree
• PhD programmes for research and university teaching

The BLS explains that all states require special education teachers in public schools to hold at least a bachelor's degree. Some states require a degree specifically in special education; others accept a major in education or a subject such as mathematics with a minor in special education. Bachelor's programmes cover the different types of disabilities and how to present information so that students understand, and they include student teaching with a mentor in a real classroom. Some states require teachers to complete a master's in special education after they start working in order to become fully certified.

Teaching in a public school also requires a state licence (often called a certification) for the grade level taught. Requirements vary by state but generally include a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average, student teaching, a background check, and passing a general teaching test and a subject test. All states also offer alternative routes for people who already have a bachelor's degree. Private schools typically do not require a licence.

Where to study

The schools on this page are spread across the country, with more than one in Normal (Illinois) and Baltimore. Examples from the schools' own pages:

• The Ohio State University in Columbus offers a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Arts and a PhD in special education, as well as licensure-only programmes and a Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs Endorsement
• Vanderbilt University's Peabody College in Nashville has an undergraduate special education programme that leads to teacher licensure, with specialties in high incidence disabilities or multiple and severe disabilities; students start working in community and educational settings from their first semester
• The Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a BSE and an MS in special education, a PhD in special education and programmes in rehabilitation counselling

Other universities on the list include Penn State, Purdue University, the University of Florida, Illinois State University and Boston University. Teaching is in English.

Because licences are issued by each state, programmes are usually designed for licensure in their own state. Ohio State, for example, states that its programmes are designed to prepare students for licensure or certification in Ohio and advises students who plan to work in another state to check that state's requirements.

Admission and student visa

US higher education is not centrally organised: EducationUSA explains that institutions are accredited on a national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies. For a master's, EducationUSA advises starting the search at least 12 to 18 months before the academic year in which you hope to enrol, and reminds students that no official ranking system exists. The academic year typically runs from September to May.

Once accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), you receive a Form I-20 (or DS-2019) to present when you apply for your visa. The F visa covers study at an accredited college or university.

Careers

According to the BLS, special education teachers held about 584,100 jobs in 2025, and 86% worked in local elementary and secondary schools. Overall employment is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035, but about 37,100 openings are expected each year, mostly to replace teachers who leave the occupation. The median annual wage was $67,170 in May 2025. Graduates also work outside the classroom: UW-Madison lists roles such as transition specialist, advocate, rehabilitation counsellor and researcher.

Frequently asked questions

What degree do I need to teach special education in the United States?

Public schools require at least a bachelor's degree and a state licence, according to the BLS. Some states require the degree to be in special education, and some require a master's to become fully certified.

Can I teach in another state with a licence from one state?

Licences are issued by each state, and programmes are usually designed for their own state's requirements. Students who plan to teach elsewhere should check the rules of that state.

Is there a route for people who already have a degree in another subject?

Yes. The BLS notes that all states offer alternative routes to certification for people who already hold a bachelor's degree, and some universities offer licensure-only programmes.

Are there jobs for special education teachers?

Employment is projected to stay about the same from 2025 to 2035, but the BLS expects about 37,100 openings each year, mainly to replace teachers who leave.