Special Education
Major
Special education degree
Do you dream of having a rewarding career and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young adults with disabilities? Special education teachers are experts in helping students with learning, cognitive, physical, emotional and health challenges reach their potential. A special education degree from CMU will allow you to become the person who has the skills to change the lives of children with disabilities.
AT A GLANCE
What will I learn with a special education degree?
Our special education program balances coursework and real-world experience. Your classes will teach you how to best serve your students with disabilities. You’ll complete a 16-week field experience in a real classroom to put that knowledge into practice. By the time you graduate, you'll be ready to lead your own classroom and begin making a difference in your students' lives. You can choose to specialize in elementary or secondary education.
Special Education for Students with Cognitive Impairment
This program will prepare you to work with individuals with intellectual impairments from PreKindergarten to 12th grade. You will learn effective strategies for meeting the academic, social, communication, physical and transition needs of students with intellectual impairments.
Special education degree highlights
With a special education degree from CMU, you'll:
- Get hands-on experience: Complete 300 hours of fieldwork experience at local elementary, middle school or high schools, giving you useful experience before you graduate.
- Get involved in the community: Work closely with our community partners, including the Special Olympics of Michigan, or join one of our registered student organizations such as Connections that Count or the Student Council for Exceptional Children.
- Gain access to scholarships: Be eligible to apply for several endowed scholarships specifically designated for Special Education majors.
Special education jobs
Our students obtain provisional certification to teach in Michigan elementary or secondary schools, making them attractive candidates for teaching jobs right away.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,680 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,290 |
| Special Education Teacher | $65,910 |
| Reading Specialist | $49,600 |
| School Counselor | $61,710 |
| Curriculum Manager | $58,218 |
Why are autism diagnoses becoming more prevalent?
In a recent episode of The Search Bar, Allison Peart, Director of the Autism Assessment Evaluation Center at Central Michigan University, discusses autism and its changing definition.
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