Special Education Career Map

Awareness

First Year

• Enroll in the General Education requirements, including English, Social Sciences, and Math, which serve as the foundation for the teacher education component.
• Identify whether you are pursuing the K-6 track (Elementary) or the 6-12 track (Secondary) to align your content area studies early.
• Awareness of the Teacher Education Program (TEP) admission requirements, which typically include a minimum GPA and specific prerequisite course completions.
• Review the program's unique focus on Collaborative Certification, which prepares you to work alongside general education teachers in inclusive classrooms.
  

Middle Years

• Complete the 32 hours of content area coursework if you are in the 6-12 track (Math, Science, Social Science, or English).
• Apply for Admission to Candidacy once you have reached the 60-hour credit mark and met all departmental benchmarks.
• Awareness of the Praxis exams required by the Alabama State Department of Education for Special Education certification.
• Engage with your academic advisor, such as Dr. Abigail Baxter, to ensure your graduation plan (totaling 125 hours) is on track.

Last Year

• Prepare for extensive field-based experiences, spending significant time in K-12 settings before your final internship.
• Fulfill the requirements for the Class B Professional Certificate by completing all coursework with the necessary "C" or better grades.
• Awareness of the job market demand; special education teachers are among the most sought-after professionals by local school districts.
• Finalize your residency requirements, ensuring at least 25% of the degree is completed through USA.

Exploration

First Year

• Join the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) to connect with peers and faculty dedicated to the field of special education.
• Utilize Involve South to find volunteer opportunities at local schools or organizations like the Special Olympics to gain early experience with diverse learners.
• Explore the USA Literacy Center to see how specialized instruction is provided to the community and how you might get involved as a student.

Middle Years

• Observe different classroom settings—including resource rooms and inclusion placements—to see where you feel most impactful.
• Research the option to add an Early Childhood Special Education certificate if you are in the K-6 program to increase your versatility.
• Attend USA Education Career Fairs to network with recruiters from districts experiencing significant teacher shortages.

Last Year

• Complete your Senior Internship, which serves as a full-time professional immersion in a collaborative or self-contained special education environment.
• Explore graduate school pathways, such as a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, which can lead to Class A Certification and higher salary brackets.
• Network with your Cooperating Teacher and school principals during your field placements to secure strong professional references.
  

Preparation

First Year

• Build a Accelerate South profile to search for summer roles such as a camp counselor for children with special needs or a behavioral technician.
• Focus on Public Speaking (CA 110) and interpersonal skills, as you will eventually lead Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
• Start a Professional Portfolio to document your philosophy of education and any materials created during early coursework.
  

Middle Years

• Master instructional technology and adaptive tools that support students with various disabilities.
• Develop behavior management strategies and data-collection techniques essential for tracking student progress in Special Education.
• Utilize the USA Career Development Center for a resume review that highlights your specific clinical hours and content area mastery.

Last Year

• Synthesize your field-based learning into your Final E-Portfolio, which is required for graduation and certification.
• Prepare for the national and state teacher certification applications, ensuring all background checks and fingerprinting are current.
• Practice Interviewing for Educators using Big Interview, focusing on questions about differentiation, collaboration, and IEP compliance.