Special Education Careers
Find out what careers you can achieve with a Special Education degree from MBU, and how you can get there!
Special Education Careers
These are just some of the many careers a Special Education BA can prepare you for. Select a career to learn about the job, average salary, employment outlook, required education level, and more.
Education
Clinical Practice
Use the resources below to find more career profiles on these and hundreds of other jobs you could achieve with a Special Education BA.
Career Spotlights
Special Education Teacher
Work with students with a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and/or physical disabilities to teach basic skills and adapted general education subjects.
Education: Bachelor’s degree (and teaching licensure for public school teachers)
Workplaces: Schools, residential facilities, students’ homes
Median Pay: $64,270/year
Job Outlook: -1% (decline)
Instructional Coordinator
Develop, implement, and assess school curricula and teaching standards and working with schools to ensure regulatory compliance.
Education: Master’s degree
Workplaces: Schools, higher education institutions, educational support organizations, government agencies
Median Pay: $74,720/year
Job Outlook: 1% (slower than average)
Social and Community Service Manager
Coordinate and supervise programs, personnel, and resources that support public well-being.
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Workplaces: Nonprofit organization, social service companies, government agencies
Median Pay: $78,240/year
Job Outlook: 6% (faster than average)
MBU Alumni Employers
Our Special Education majors have gone on to build impactful careers with public and private schools, school districts, community services organizations, therapeutic agencies, and non-profits.
- Augusta County
- Public Schools
- Albemarle County Public Schools
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Fauquier County Public Schools,
- Henrico County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools - Newport News Public Schools
- Richmond Public Schools
- Roanoke County Schools
- Brilliant Microschools
- Crossroads Counseling Center
- Elk Hill Farm Inc.
- enCircle
- FACES of Virginia
- Roanoke Valley – Alleghany Region 5 Adult Ed.
- Stride, Inc.
- Sunrise Therapeutic Services
- University Athletic Association Inc.
- University of Virginia Children’s Hospital
What’s your path?
MBU offers dozens of complementary minors, majors, clubs and more to enhance your study of special education and put you on the right path to your dream career.
Consider pairing your Special Education major with…
A minor in:
- Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies
- Communication
- English
- History
- Leadership Studies
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Subject-specific Education minors
A double-major in:
- Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies
- Business
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Public Policy
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Strategic Communications
Build one of these Skill Stacks to gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Creativity
Join one of these MBU clubs or professional organizations for connection and networking:
- Sociology Club
- Social Work Club
- Psychology Club
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Student Government Association
- Baldwin Program Board
- MBU Honor Council
- National Education Association (Virginia Chapter)
- Association of American Educators
- American Education Research Association
- National Association for Multicultural Education
- Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Gain work experience through course-required:
- 60 hours of in-classroom observation
- 12 weeks of student-teaching with MBU-provided site placement
Consider one of our outstanding MBU graduate programs:
Master of Education
Master’s in ABA or Autism Studies
*We offer Accelerated Pathways for these programs. Earn two degrees faster!
Consider pairing your Special Education major with…
A minor in:
- Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies
- Communication
- Leadership Studies
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
A double-major in:
Build one of these Skill Stacks and gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Data Fluency
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
Join one of these MBU clubs for connection and networking:
- Sociology Club
- Social Work Club
- Psychology Club
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Student Government Association
- Baldwin Program Board
- MBU Honor Council
- National Education Association (Virginia Chapter)
- Association of American Educators
- American Education Research Association
- National Association for Multicultural Education
- Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Pursue an internship through the McCree Center for Career Success.
Consider one of our outstanding MBU graduate programs:
Master’s in ABA or Autism Studies
Consider pairing your Special Education major with:
A minor in:
- Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies
- Communication
- English
- History
- Leadership Studies
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
A double-major in:
- Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies
- Business
- English
- History
- Public Policy
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Strategic Communications
Build one of these Skill Stacks and gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Inclusivity
- Leadership
- Problem-Solving
Join one of these MBU clubs for connection and networking:
- Sociology Club
- Social Work Club
- Psychology Club
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Student Government Association
- Baldwin Program Board
- MBU Honor Council
- National Education Association (Virginia Chapter)
- Association of American Educators
- American Education Research Association
- National Association for Multicultural Education
- Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Consider one of our outstanding MBU graduate programs:
Master’s in ABA or Autism Studies
Explore Internships
No matter your major, an internship is a chance to explore your interests, build real-world skills, and give you a real competitive edge in the job market. The McCree Center for Career Success can help find the right opportunity for you.
Planning for Graduate School
Many Special Education majors pursue graduate school to deepen their knowledge, strengthen teaching skills, or advance licensure. Programs include MEd and MAT degrees, with concentrations such as teaching, curriculum, educational leadership, and school psychology. Consider your career goals when choosing a program that fits your interests.
Some graduate programs in teaching require incoming students to possess state-approved teaching licensure in a particular subject for admission.
As an Special Education major, you can seek licensure during your undergraduate degree by applying to MBU’s Teacher Education Program (TEP) with a 2.5 GPA or better. Upon completion of your degree program and TEP requirements, you’ll be prepared to obtain a teaching license in Special Education by Commonwealth of Virginia standards.
Some states may require additional standards to be met in order to obtain licensure.
Some graduate programs require entrance exams such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). Like the SAT or ACT, the GRE assesses general knowledge and skills, and preparation can take weeks or months. Check program requirements early so you have plenty of time to study and practice.
See what graduate programs Mary Baldwin has to offer!
McCree Center for Career Success
The McCree Center for Career Success helps students connect their education to their future careers. Services include:
- Career exploration and planning
- Resume and cover letter support
- Interview preparation
- Internship and job searches
- Networking and professional development
- Graduate school preparation
Visit us to learn more!
