How Can I Get a Special Education Endorsement?
Learn about what a special education endorsement is and the steps you can follow to earn one yourself.
Special education teachers are teachers who work with students who don't learn well in a traditional learning environment.
These students may have behavioral, emotional, or mental challenges or may have learning disabilities that require a different type of learning experience.
In many states, you must earn a special education endorsement to work as a special education teacher. Below, we'll explain what an endorsement is and how to earn one in special education.
What is a Special Education Endorsement?
<p>An endorsement is a special license that's added to a teaching license to indicate that the licensed holder is trained in a specific area.
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<p>You must either have your <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Teaching_Career_Profiles.html">teaching credentials</a> already or be earning your teaching credentials at the same time as your endorsement. You cannot have just an endorsement.
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<p>A special education endorsement means that a teacher has had additional training and is licensed in special education. This endorsement goes on top of their teaching license.
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<p>Some schools offer general special education endorsements, while others allow you to specialize your endorsement.
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<p>For example, you may earn an early childhood special education endorsement to work with young children or a hearing or vision special education endorsement to work with children with specific needs.
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<p>Teaching licenses are determined at the state level, and not every state requires a special education endorsement to work in special education.
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<p><b>The states that currently require a special education endorsement are:</b>
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<ul><li>Arkansas
</li><li>California
</li><li>Kansas
</li><li>Maryland
</li><li>Mississippi
</li><li>New Jersey
</li><li>Ohio
</li><li>South Dakota
</li><li>Utah
</li><li>Washington
</li><li>Washington, D.C.
</li><li>Wyoming
</li></ul><p>Other states may require you to take a specific program or set of courses to qualify for special education licensure or may require you to earn your bachelor's or master's in special education.
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<p>It's important to check the requirements of the state you want to work in so you know what steps to take to work in special education.
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<h2 id="section---HowToEarnASpecialEducationEndorsementStepByStep">How to Earn a Special Education Endorsement: Step by Step</h2>
<p>If you've determined that you need a special education endorsement to work in your state of choice, there are a few steps you'll need to take.
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<h3 id="section---Step1EarnATeachingDegree">Step 1: Earn a Teaching Degree</h3>
<p>The first step to earning a special education endorsement is to earn your teaching degree. All states require special education teachers in public schools to have at least a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Bachelor_Degree_FAQs.html">bachelor's degree</a>.
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<p>You'll also need to enroll in a state-approved teaching program. Many times, you can do this program alongside your degree program. This allows you to graduate with your degree and your teaching certificate.
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<p>Towards the end of your teaching program, you'll fulfill your student teaching requirements. During this time, you'll be teaching in the classroom alongside a licensed teacher.
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<h3 id="section---Step2ObtainATeachingCredential">Step 2: Obtain a Teaching Credential</h3>
<p>Each state has its own requirements for teacher licensure or certification.
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<p>Some states require you to take a test or series of tests before you can earn your teaching credential.
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<p>Many states use the Praxis tests, which are written and administered by the Educational Testing Service.
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<p>There are many different Praxis tests, and the tests you take will depend on your state and area of specialization.
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<p>Other states, like Missouri and Texas, have their own teaching tests that you must pass before you can become a certified teacher.
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<p>Once you've fulfilled all the necessary requirements in your state, you can apply to your state education agency to receive your official certificate.
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<h3 id="section---Step3EarnASpecialEducationEndorsement">Step 3: Earn a Special Education Endorsement</h3>
<p>Some schools allow you to earn an endorsement alongside your degree, but many require you to apply for an endorsement program after you've been certified.
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<p>Depending on the school, you may be earning your endorsement through a graduate program, but that doesn't mean you need to have a master's degree to earn an endorsement.
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<p>The specific requirements for your endorsement program will depend on the state you're in, the school you choose, and the specific type of endorsement you're earning.
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<p>For example, while all programs will focus on how to teach students with special needs, an endorsement for teaching vision-impaired students will be different from one for teaching autistic or ADHD students.
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<p><b>General special education endorsements may include course topics such as:</b>
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<ul><li>behavior intervention
</li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Online_Early_Childhood_Classroom_Management_Course_FAQs.html">classroom management</a>
</li><li>inclusive practices
</li><li>performing assessments
</li><li>special education methods
</li><li>teaching strategies
</li></ul><p>While most schools offer a general special education K-12 endorsement, many others allow you to specialize.
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<p><b>Some specialization options may include:</b>
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<ul><li>behavior disorders and intervention
</li><li>learning disabilities
</li><li>high ability/gifted
</li><li>inclusion and collaboration
</li><li>intellectual disabilities
</li><li>mild to moderate disabilities
</li><li>moderate to severe disabilities
</li><li>deaf/hard of hearing
</li><li>visually impaired
</li></ul><p>Depending on your state, you may be required to take a special education exam, such as a Praxis special education exam, before you can earn your certification.
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<h2 id="section---WorkingAsASpecialEducationTeacher">Working as a Special Education Teacher</h2>
<p>Upon earning your special education endorsement, you'll be able to begin working as a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Teaching_Special_Education_FAQs.html">special education teacher</a>.
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<p>The majority of special education teachers work in public schools. A small percentage work in private schools or in residential facilities, hospitals, and student homes.
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<p>The BLS expects special education teacher jobs to grow an average of 4% by 2031, although some specialties are higher. The outlook for special education preschool teachers is expected to grow 8% by 2031.
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<h2 id="section---EarnYourSpecialEducationEndorsement">Earn Your Special Education Endorsement</h2>
<p>To earn a special education endorsement, you must first obtain a teaching license. Then you'll need to find and complete a special education endorsement program.</p>