Double Major in Social Work & Special Education

If you enjoy teaching and are interested in a career working with children with special needs, getting a double major in social work and special education may help you reach your goals. But is double majoring a good idea? What specific careers can you pursue with this major combination?

A social work/special education double major can broaden your skill set for working with children, particularly those with disabilities and mental health issues. It can help you better prepare for career opportunities as a school counselor, behavioral specialist, or special education teacher.

Read on for further information.

What Is Social Work?

Social work is a professional field that promotes well-being and social justice for various disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. Social workers and others in the field are dedicated to providing advocacy and resources to help those with disabilities, mental health problems, addictions, and other social issues live their best lives.

Social work degrees are typically available at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required for many jobs in the field, but there are many others you can pursue with only a bachelor's degree.

A degree in social work prepares you to work with people with various needs. Those in social work often specialize in one particular group of people, such as substance abusers or the elderly. Double majoring in special education will provide the skills you need to specialize in working with disabled children.

What Is Special Education?

Special education is a specialized profession aimed at helping children with various mental, physical, and developmental disabilities learn to the best of their ability. Special education teachers often develop individualized learning plans for students that target their specific needs and find ways to overcome their unique learning hurdles.

Those who work in special education often hold master's degrees, though it's also possible to get started in the field with a bachelor's degree. Students studying full-time can complete the necessary education in four years (for a bachelor's degree) or another two years (for a master's degree).

A special education degree helps you develop skills for working with children with learning disabilities or other challenges. Pairing a social work major with this degree helps to learn about the challenges you may face in your career and the social issues behind many learning disabilities that affect children.

How To Double Major in Social Work and Special Education

Don't be discouraged if pursuing a double major overwhelms you. There are things you can do to simplify the process and graduate as efficiently as possible. Consider the following tips:

Find an Accredited School

It's important to choose a school that's accredited before enrolling in any degree program. The school should offer regional or national accreditation from an organization like the Higher Learning Commission, and program accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Master's degrees in special education should be accredited by an organization such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Always make sure your school has the proper accreditations. This is essential for your degree to be respected and accepted once you begin looking for a job.

Speak to an Academic Advisor

Talking to an academic advisor at your school of choice can help put your mind at ease about double majoring. The advisor can help you determine exactly which classes you need to take to fulfill all degree requirements and may suggest ways to graduate more efficiently (such as applying courses to both majors if your school allows this).

Academic advisors can also guide you as you think about the future. They may be able to suggest career options, tips to prepare for graduate school, and information on financial aid to help you cover college expenses.

Declare Both Majors

Once you have met all the admissions requirements and enrolled at your chosen college, declare your double major in social work and special education as early as possible. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can begin fulfilling all degree requirements.

Some schools may permit you to apply classes to both majors; for example, the same class on child development may count toward both your social work and special education majors. Doing this will help you graduate sooner by limiting the number of classes you must take.

Complete Required Coursework

Your degree program consists of:

• general education courses
• electives
• core courses

Spend your first year or two focusing primarily on general education and introductory courses. Later, you will progress to more major-specific courses in social work and special education.

You can expect courses on topics such as:

• human services
• social services
• early childhood education
• social welfare
• child development

Explore Internship Opportunities

In addition to taking various classes, you will likely have opportunities for fieldwork experiences as part of your degree program. Depending on your school, you may be required to complete internships, capstone projects, or practicums. You will also likely have to complete a student teaching experience before graduating from your special education program.

If these opportunities aren't available through your school, you can seek teaching experiences and internships. These experiences will help better prepare you for the hands-on nature of the job by allowing you to practice the skills you learned in your classes.

Career Paths for Social Work and Special Education Double Majors

If you're ready to find a social work or special education job, look for opportunities that use both majors. Some good opportunities for those with this double major combination include:

School Social Worker

School social workers provide various services to meet students' mental, physical, emotional, and academic needs. These mental health professionals serve as a link between the home, school, and community to provide resources and help students thrive.

These professionals often need to have an MSW degree. That said, school social workers can benefit from having a background in special education, as they will better understand the unique challenges many students face that can affect their mental and physical health.

Special Education Teacher

When you think of a career in special education, chances are, you think of a special education teacher. These specialized teachers have advanced training and skills to help students with various disabilities learn and grow.

Many special education teachers hold a Master of Education (MED) degree in special education, though a graduate degree isn't always required to get started. A double major in social work and special education can give you a strong understanding of the resources available for special needs students and the causes behind many of their challenges, ultimately helping you provide better education and services.

Behavioral Specialist

Behavioral specialists are mental health professionals who identify and resolve behavioral issues in children and adults. They may work for schools, public health facilities, private practices, and other organizations.

Though an advanced degree is often necessary to work as a behavioral specialist, a double major in social work and special education will provide a great foundation for this profession. Social work will help aspiring behavioral specialists understand the social causes of behavioral issues, while special education will help students learn how disabilities and developmental conditions can also affect behavior.