How To Become a Special Education Teacher With a Psychology Degree

Special education teachers work with students with mental, emotional, physical, and learning disabilities. They adapt general education lessons for students with mild to moderate disabilities and teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities.

Working in special education is highly rewarding. Teachers work with students in early childhood education centers, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools to help them grow academically and build important social skills. You might think you need a bachelor's degree in special education to start this career, but you can become a teacher with a psychology degree.

Becoming a special education teacher with a psychology degree usually requires enrolling in an alternative certification program, getting the right student-teaching experience, and passing the teacher licensure exam. Below, we'll look at all the steps you can take to become a special education teacher, even without a special education degree.

Can You Teach Special Education With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology?

Yes, you can teach special education with a bachelor's degree in psychology. The key is getting the right teaching background to work with students with special needs (i.e., mental health challenges, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, visual impairments, etc.).

Teacher preparation programs provide students with important teaching methods for special education and deliver valuable classroom experiences. They also prepare aspiring school teachers to take their state's educator licensure or certification exam.

Career Path To Become a Special Education Teacher Psychology Degree

Starting a special education career with a psychology degree requires the right steps. Let's explore how you can use your degree to secure your first teaching job in the field.

1. Research State Requirements for Special Education Teachers

Each state has specific requirements for securing teaching certification or licensure. As an aspiring special education teacher with a psychology degree, you should contact your state's education department to learn about licensure requirements for individuals with bachelor's degrees.

2. Enroll in an Alternative Certification Program

Most states offer teacher certification options for students with a degree outside of the education field. These alternative certification routes usually involve students taking courses on classroom management, lesson planning, and other teaching methods. Some alternative options are degree programs that result in a master's degree and full certification.

Qualifications for Earning Alternative Special Education Certification

The qualifications for earning alternative teaching certification will vary by state. For example, students in Missouri with a bachelor's degree can teach and take courses simultaneously using a provisional certificate. After the teacher preparation program is finished and the student has passed their certification exam, they can receive initial licensure.

In California, students with a bachelor's degree and no current teaching credential typically complete a Commission-approved credentialing program or already have teaching experience in private schools. However, the state offers an intern option with teaching opportunities for students with bachelor's degrees.

3. Complete Required Special Education Coursework

Students pursuing alternative special education certification often complete special education coursework in a master's program. Courses vary by special education program but could cover:

• psychology of the exceptional child
• human growth and development
• language development of the exceptional child
• reading instruction
• ability and achievement evaluation
• teaching methods for students with disabilities

Programs could include clinical experiences and internships. You might also learn how to improve students' competencies in specific subject areas like English, reading, or mathematics.

4. Gain Classroom Experience

Most teacher preparation programs include a student-teaching component that takes place in a real-time learning environment. During this teaching experience, student teachers observe and instruct students in supervised classroom settings. They could spend weeks or months in the classroom assuming some or all teaching duties; they might also participate in seminars, journaling, and lesson-planning activities.

5. Pass State Licensure Exams

States typically require teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified at the grade level they want to teach. Aspiring special education teachers might need to pass a licensure exam to teach students with disabilities. For instance, New York State offers the Students with Disabilities CST (060) exam from the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. In Texas, the Special Education EC-12 (161) exam is available from the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program.

6. Apply for Your Teaching License

Once you've completed your special education coursework and student-teaching experiences and passed the licensure exam, you're set to apply for your teaching license. Check with your state's education department to learn about its teaching license requirements. In most cases, you can expect to complete a fingerprinting/background check process and submit school transcripts.

7. Continue Professional Development

Most states require teachers to continue developing professionally after becoming licensed. For example, the Illinois State Board of Education requires teachers to get 120 hours of professional development every five years.

In Kentucky, teachers must earn 24 hours of professional development credit every year. Schools might provide professional development courses, or teachers could complete coursework independently.

FAQs About Becoming a Special Education Teacher With a Psychology Degree

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects more than 35,000 special education teaching openings annually from 2023 to 2033. If you're ready to snag one of these roles with your psychology degree, explore the following frequently asked questions.

Can a Psychology Degree Lead To Teaching?

Yes, you can use your psychology degree to become a teacher. All states offer alternative certification programs for individuals with a bachelor's degree and teaching experience. Completing student teaching, licensure exams, background checks, and other requirements can help you become a teacher with a psychology background.

How Does Psychology Relate To Special Education?

Psychology and special education have a lot in common. Special education teachers need strong communication skills to explain academic concepts to students with special needs.

They also need quality interpersonal skills to work with parents and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). These skills, along with patience, critical thinking, and resourcefulness, make those with a psychology background great fits for special education.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Special Education Teacher?

The primary education requirement for special education teachers is a bachelor's degree. Advanced degrees like master's or doctoral degrees typically aren't required.

Some employers seek teachers with a special education degree or an education major with a special education minor. However, taking special education courses and getting classroom experience should meet most employers' education requirements.

Do I Need Teaching Credentials if I Have a Master's Degree?

Yes, most states require individuals with master's degrees to complete a teacher preparation program and secure licensure to teach in public schools. Private schools don't usually require licensure or certification.

Become a Special Education Teacher

Begin an exciting career in special education by exploring the accredited degree programs offered by various colleges here on Learn.org. Contact one of the schools today to learn how their programs can help you start your journey as a special education teacher.