by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, elementary special education was the 326th most popular major nationwide with 1,625 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 203 over the prior year, a growth of 12.5%.
This year's Best Elementary Special Education Schools ranking compares 40 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of elementary special ed programs later in this article.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do is a required skill for elementary special ed majors. Required skills include teaching others how to do something and selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most elementary special ed degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional elementary special ed certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Elementary Special Ed degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in elementary special education to the highest elementary special ed degree, a . Different elementary special education degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to elementary special ed, with approximately 65.8% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to elementary special ed tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 65.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.6% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 6.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 5.2% |
| Some College Courses | 1.0% |
About 99.0% of workers in careers related to elementary special ed obtain at least associate degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in elementary special education careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the elementary special ed career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your elementary special ed degree? Elementary Special Education careers are expected to grow 7.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to elementary special education.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten or Elementary School Special Education Teachers | 202,800 | 7.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for elementary special ed graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for elementary special education graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers elementary special ed grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten or Elementary School Special Education Teachers | $63,110 |
With over 104 different elementary special ed degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased elementary special ed school rankings to help you with this.
Elementary Special Education is one of 17 different types of Special Education programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Special Education | 24,497 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs | 3,111 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities | 1,789 |
| Other Special Education & Teaching | 1,227 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism | 1,133 |
Image Credit: By woodleywonderworks under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
