Special education teachers are found in either elementary or secondary schools, working directly with students who are affected by physical or mental disabilities. The minimum requirement to become a special education teacher is a bachelor’s degree. Some states require special education teachers to obtain a master’s degree.
Generally, a bachelor’s degree in special education can take between four to five years, with time frames fluctuating based on the age groups aspiring teachers want to work with (K-8 or high school) and the types of disability they wish to specialize in (mild, moderate, or severe). Unlike secondary school teachers, most special education teachers are expected to instruct on a wide variety of subjects, along with teaching age-appropriate life skills.
