Special education teachers work with children and adults who have special needs. The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire’s Special Education Department has the following options for students wishing to major or minor in special education: a comprehensive major in cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, or early childhood, and a minor in learning disabilities. Within these emphases, a major can choose learning disabilities, learning disabilities and cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities and middle childhood through early adolescence, and adaptive education in art, music and physical education. The Special Education Department also offers a certificate in emotional/behavioral disabilities for middle childhood through early adolescence or early adolescence through adolescence.
What will I learn from studying Special Education?
Knowledge:
A special education major’s knowledge draws on many different subject areas. From basic knowledge gained from the foundations of education curriculum, to specific areas such as behavioral management, a special education major or minor will obtain a well rounded education in the instruction of special education.
Skills:
- Organizational and communication skills
- Ability to assess learning
- Analytical thinking
- Motivational
- Teaching
What are some of the interests and values related to Special Education?
- Desire to help children learn
- Curiosity
- Imagination
- Creativity
What are related student and professional organizations?
Student:
Professional:
- National Education Association
- Council for Exceptional Children
- DEC: The Division for Early Childhood
What career fields are related to a Special Education Degree?
Potential Employers:
Special education majors can use their credentials to obtain jobs in public or private schools as teachers, supervisors, and administrators. Other graduates can work in places like state education agencies. With further education, some special education majors and minors work in colleges and universities.
Potential Job Titles:
- Braillist
- Teacher of the Orthopedically Impaired
- Rehab Teacher for Adults
- Teacher of the Visually Impaired
- Itinerant Teacher of Visually Impaired
- Primary Grades Special Education Teacher
- 7th & 8th Grade Learning Disabilities Teacher
- 6th Grade Cross Categorical Teacher
- CDS Teacher
- Learning Disabilities Teacher
- Elem. Mild Disabilities Teacher
- CD K-8 Grade Teacher
What are some entry-level jobs held by UW – Eau Claire Special Education graduates?
- Special Ed Teacher Grades 6-8 LD, Richfield Middle School, Richfield, MN
- Special Ed Teacher, Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison, WI
- Grades K-3 SPED and LD, Dodgeland Schools, Juneau, WI
- Grades K-5 LD/CD/ED Teacher, Abbottford School District, Abbotsford, WI
- CD Grades 9-12, Green Bay Public Schools, Green Bay, WI
How can I learn more about Special Education?
Department
- Contact someone in UW – Eau Claire’s Dept. of Special Education
- Human Sciences & Services 249, 836-5511
Career Services:
- Meet with a career counselor
- Take interest inventories and self assessment tests
- Ask An Alum & Friends, a database of UW – Eau Claire Alumni & Friends available for informational interviewing
Career Discovery Center:
- Career for Kids at Heart & Others Who Adore Children, Marjorie Eberts & Margaret Gisler
- Careers in Education, Roy A. Edelfelt
- Opportunities in Special Education Careers, Robert Connelly
- Career Opportunities in Education, Sue Echaore-McDavid
- Careers for Caring People & Other Sensitive Types, Adrian Paradis
- Opportunities in Adult Education Careers, Blythe Camenson
Internet:
- National Center for Learning Disabilities
- LD Online
- Special Olympics
- Job Exchange
- Special Education Teacher Statistics
What are some opportunities for experiential learning in Special Education?
Experiential Learning
Students have many opportunities to gain hands-on experience in working with children and adults with disabilities. Some of these opportunities include: volunteering for Special Olympics, working at camps that help people with disabilities, as well as volunteering at schools. By working with special education populations, you will have a better understanding of what a teaching career in special education would be like.
Directed Studies or Independent Study Class
By participating in an Independent or Directed Studies course, students will be able to research an area that they find particularly interesting. Contact your advisor about enrolling in SPED 495 or 499.