Careers for Early Childhood Special Education MS Program Graduates

Common job titles

• Career and technical education teacher
• Childcare worker
• Instructional coordinator
• Librarian
• Occupational therapist
• Preschool, elementary, middle and high school teacher and principal
• Recreational therapist
• School and career counselor
• Social worker
• Special education teacher
• Teacher assistant

Job outlook data

Preschool teachers held around 441,000 jobs in 2014, the last year for which data are available. Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024.

Early childhood education is deemed important for a child’s short- and long-term intellectual and social development; some parents are starting to enroll children as young as infants in preschool for the educational benefit.

In 2014, the last year for which data are available, special education teachers held about 198,100 jobs in kindergarten and elementary schools, 93,000 jobs in middle schools and 134,000 jobs in high schools. Employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024.

Although enrollment in special education programs has diminished slightly around the country, better screening and identification of disabilities in children will increase the demand for special education services. Children with disabilities are being identified earlier and enrolled into special education programs. Employment growth in this area will depend on government funding, since laws require free public education for students with disabilities.

Where can I work with this major?

The largest employers of Early Childhood Special Education degree holders are:

• Child daycare services
• Religious, nonprofit, civic and professional organizations
• Public, magnet, charter and private schools
• Individual and family services
• Residential facilities
• Hospitals
• Students’ homes

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• American Federation of Teachers
• National Education Association
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
• Council for Exceptional Children
• Personnel Improvement Center
• National Association of Special Education Teachers

» Get information about Adelphi’s Early Childhood Special Education MS Degree Programs

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education Teachers.