5 reasons to earn an M.Ed. in Special Education

Have you asked yourself, “Why should I get a master’s degree in special education?” There are several reasons to consider. An M.Ed. in Special Education can open up job opportunities, better equip teachers and offer a better job lookout. The salary for teachers with an M.Ed. in Special Education is generally higher than those with only a bachelor’s degree and teachers with the advanced degree are better equipped to face the challenges of the job.

1. Job opportunities available

Besides being a special education teacher, you can also become an educational diagnostician. This particular path requires an advanced degree. Educational diagnosticians evaluate students with disabilities. They may meet with parents and teachers to create learning plans. They also develop learning programs used by special education teachers. These educational diagnosticians are trained to assess and diagnose students with all types of learning disabilities.

2. Expand your knowledge

Many special education teachers love what they do and even feel called to their profession. Special education teachers have to be able to work with multiple students, who have a variety of disabilities, from learning to physical to mental. Special education teachers need to know how to meet the needs of a variety of students at one time. When teachers love what they do, it’s easy to want to advance in that field and learn how to be even better.

3. You are a commodity

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there is only a six percent growth expected for special education teachers from 2012 to 2022. Special education teachers’ salaries rely on the federal budget, so if the economy is doing well, hiring may increase. Special education teachers with an M.Ed. in Special Education will have an edge over teachers who only have a bachelor's degree.

4. Increase your earning potential

Special education teachers with an M.Ed. in Special Education have higher earning potential than those with only a four-year degree. The national average salary of an elementary special education teacher with a bachelor's degree is about $56,700. Secondary special education teachers with a bachelor’s degree average about $60,090 a year nationally. The average national salary for a special education teacher with a master’s degree is $63,000. Those numbers can differ based on location. For instance, special education teachers with a masters in Washington D.C. earn $76,000.

5. Implement change

There are different state and federal laws regarding special education. Implementing effective change can be difficult to do at the teacher level. Careers in district or state offices are great places to bring fresh ideas and are also where policy is born. These offices are where policy happens and an advanced degree can help you get there.

While there are many reasons to consider earning a master’s degree in special education, from job opportunities and better pay to personal improvement, perhaps the most important is gaining an even better understanding of how to work with special needs students. Special education teachers are vital to the success of their students, and learning how to best serve them is something all special education teachers can appreciate.

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Learn about University of Texas Rio Grande Valley online M.Ed. in Special Education program.

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Source:

http://blog.sunbeltstaffing.com/healthcare-jobs/why-pursue-a-graduate-degree-in-special-education

http://work.chron.com/can-masters-special-education-18693.html

http://work.chron.com/salary-special-education-teacher-masters-degree-28787.html

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