Because not all students learn the same way, special education teachers are pivotal
in matching instructional methods to a student's particular needs. Special education
teachers learn to work with students with disabilities and other special needs to
help maximize their potential and give them the best opportunities for success in
school and life.
By completing an associate’s degree at Harper, you could be one step closer to obtaining
a special education teaching license. Courses cover such topics as social and behavioral
sciences, educational technology, psychology and more. Observing and speaking with
special education instructors in their classrooms as part of the required clinical
will give you first-hand experience with students.
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It only takes 20 seconds to get started!
Start at Harper. Finish at a four-year university.
The Associate in Arts (AA) degree prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete
a bachelor's degree in special education. Speak with your advisor about the best courses
to take to meet your academic goals. It is suggested that first semester students
who want to pursue special education take EDU 201 to learn about the profession and to complete their Academic Plan.
Harper also offers institution-specific transfer information to help prepare you to
transition to a four-year university. To learn more, visit our Transfer Information page or see your advisor.
Explore Special Education Careers
Learn more about career outcomes for Harper's Special Education degree program. Each
career profile offers a complete picture on the local job market, including salaries,
open positions, top local employers and more. To learn more, visit our Special Education Careers page.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning,
emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with
students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing
impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Core tasks:
Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to elementary students with
special needs.
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops
to maintain or improve professional competence.
Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise
elementary school programs.
Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following
approved curricula.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional,
or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students
who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments;
and students with intellectual disabilities.
Core tasks:
Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to kindergarten students with
special needs.
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops
to maintain or improve professional competence.
Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise
kindergarten programs.
Confer with other staff members to plan, schedule, or conduct activities for a balanced
program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities
to observe, question, and investigate.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional,
or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students
who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments;
and students with intellectual disabilities.
Core tasks:
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order
among students.
Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities, based upon
a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and
activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning,
emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with
students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing
impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Core tasks:
Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve
the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification
or positive reinforcement.
Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement,
or positive reinforcement.
Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational,
physical, or social development.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning,
emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with
students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing
impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Core tasks:
Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping
conditions.
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical
health.
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification
and positive reinforcement.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order
among students.
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic,
social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design
and implementation of educational programs and services.
Core tasks:
Assist in bus loading and unloading.
Assist librarians in school libraries.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development
programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or
speech-language pathologists.
For more information about starting your college education at Harper, please contact
Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.
