What are some areas related to special ed that I can get my Master's in?

Question

I have my BA in sped. I'm not sure if this is something that I want to do for the next 30 years (the actual teaching part) I enjoy learning about new theories and breakthroughs in special education. I am also not sure if I want to continue to be in a public school system. I need to get my Master's soon, but am unsure of what to get it in. Curriculum and Instruction just sounds so boring...any ideas or suggestions of something somewhat related, or something that I could use my knowledge of special ed. to help me? Sorry it's kind of a vague question, I'm just looking for ideas to explore...

Answer 1

Physical Therapy is also another choice.

Answer 2

Would you want to work with special ed. kids in the public school, but not be a classroom teacher?

You can look at getting raining as a DIS provider as a speech therapist, occupational therapist, behavior specialist, physical therapist, teacher of the blind, teacher of the deaf. assistitive technology specialist (those are the ones I am coming up with).

You could also get your admin. credential (assuming you already have a teaching credential) and could be a vice principal, principal, program specialist or something similar. All these positions would likely benefit from being a classroom teacher for 2-3 years.

Answer 3

Some have gone on and acquired enough advanced degrees (depends on your state) to become a special services director. You wouldn't necessarily be "tied" to the classroom, but you would be able to handle more of the big picture.

Please accept my sincere thanks for entering this field. We need more teachers who want to devote some of their best years to helping those who need that extra something. I taught in public schools for a few years via a special type of certificate and know for a certainty that good sped teachers can be a difference between success and failure.

A word of warning: be prepared for some negative interactions with the "regular" teachers. Some just don't like special ed and they'll tell you up front. Some won't tell you but you can sense the difference. Others will be glad to help however they can. Stand firm. Thanks again for the decisions you've made and I wish you much success in the future!

Answer 4

Where I live, Speech Therapists are in big demand.  There is also the crossover element of working in the medical field if you ever want to leave public education.

Answer 5

I had this dilemma also. I wanted to work with the developmentally delayed population but did not want to go to school for 4 years to make less than I was making at my current job. I am in my senior year of Speech Language Pathology. I start grad school next year. There are students at my school that have their bachelors degree in something else. They enter into a "pre-professional" program. They take one year of speech path classes before entering the graduate program. It's a great field and Speech Pathologists are in demand nationwide. Also, great pay.

Answer 6

Psychology, counseling, administration, growth and development, play therapy, ...

Answer 7

Applied Behavior Analysis