OVERVIEW
What is a Program Director for Exceptional Children?
A PDEC runs special education programs at public schools or private schools. A program director is someone who has a background in special education and an understanding of relevant teaching practices and methods. This profession is critical to ensuring that students receive the care and training they need to be successful.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Program Director for Exceptional Children Do?
Program directors have extensive duties—they oversee the department, plan the curriculum, and stay up-to-date on the latest education research. In some programs, a PDEC may be involved with regular classroom work, including planning specific activities, tracking individual students’ progress, and even developing individualized education programs for students. Here are some of the things that you can expect to do as a PDEC:
- Overseeing and supporting the teaching staff. Any good education program needs someone at the top who can take care of hiring new teaching staff and training those already on the teaching staff. Teachers need mentoring programs early on in their careers, and professional development programs throughout.
- Plan and execute the curriculum. This could involve developing a curriculum or adjusting to an already-existing one. If you have the opportunity to work directly with students as a program director, you may also be involved with individual education programs (IEPs), as well as tracking students’ educational progress.
- Run the administrative and financial parts of the program. A well-run program needs strong administrative support and financial backing. After all, teachers can’t teach effectively and students can’t thrive if their program is poorly funded and disorganized. You might be charged with program development, scheduling, payroll, and project funding.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Program Director for Exceptional Children?
The path to becoming a PDEC means getting a degree in education, followed by years of experience as a teacher. Since program directors also need organizational, leadership, and administrative skills, it’s important to develop those skills as well.
Step One: Earn a bachelor’s degree
The first step on the road to working in any special education field is to get your bachelor’s degree. A wise choice would be to get a bachelor’s degree in special education. There’s no need to limit yourself to just one education field, though—some programs allow you to get a bachelor’s degree in both elementary education and special education, which will enable you to get licensed in both fields. A good education degree program prepares you for the challenges of the classroom so that you can be ready, from day one, to guide and connect with your students.
Step Two: Get certified to teach in your state
You’ll need to be certified to teach if you’re going to work in education anywhere in the United States. Each state varies in its requirements for getting certified, but generally speaking, most states require: (1) a bachelor’s degree; (2) completion of a student-teaching experience or program; (3) passing a test (Praxis) for general certification, and for the specific subject in which you intend to teach; (4) a background check, including criminal and professional background checks.
Step Three: Earn a master’s degree in education
If you want to be a PDEC, then a master’s degree in education can help expand your knowledge and further develop your skills. A master’s degree in education is also a great choice for those who want to get licensed as a special education teacher but already have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field.
Step Four: Gain teaching experience
So, you’ve got your degrees and your teaching license. Do you think you’re ready to step up to becoming a PDEC? Probably not! You need years of teaching experience under your belt before you’re ready to take that next step.
Step Five: Hone your leadership and administrative skills
A PDEC should typically have years of experience in special education, but the job itself requires excellent administrative skills more than it does classroom and educational skills. You’ll want to develop those skills in any way that you can, whether that be taking the lead on projects within your school department.
Best Degrees for a Program Director for Exceptional Children
Education
Special Education (Mild to Moderate) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring special education teachers. Leads to your teaching license in states that offer a single teaching license in K–12 special education.
- Time: 61% of students finish this program within 34 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program.
If your state requires—or if you're interested in—dual licensure in both elementary education and K–12 special education, consider the B.A. Special Education (K–12) program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online degree program includes a preclinical experience with face-to-face observation hours and a Student Teaching component hosted by an experienced teacher and directed by a clinical supervisor.
Education
Special Ed and Elementary Ed (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring K–12 special education teachers. Leads to dual licensure—elementary education teaching license and special education teaching license.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 45 total courses in this program (46 for Washington residents).
(Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.) If your state offers a single K–12 special education teaching license and you are interested in focusing on teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities, consider the B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) online teaching degree.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Social Studies Methods
- Elementary Science Methods
- Language Arts Instruction and Intervention
This special education teaching online degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Teaching, Special Education (K–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to...
An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to further their careers with a focus on K–12 special education.
- Time: 64% of students finish similar programs in 22 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 30 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and are looking to earn their initial teaching license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Guidelines in Special Education
- Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Methods of Instruction and Intervention
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Find a rewarding career teaching students with diverse challenges and special learning abilities with this teaching master's degree.
How Much Does a Program Director for Exceptional Children Make?
$61,500
While the U.S. Department of Labor does not give salary figures for PDEC, it does provide information about special education more generally, and the salaries for those working in special education are quite consistent. In 2020, a special education teacher could expect to earn an average annual salary of $61,500, while those in the top 10% of earners could expect to earn over $100,000 per year.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
3%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3% growth, which translates to 14,300 more jobs, between the years 2019 and 2029. This is in line with the overall projected job growth in the United States.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Program Director for Exceptional Children Need?
As a PDEC, you may need to be more familiar with developing technologies than the average teacher. Here are a few of the most important skills that you’ll want to acquire or develop:
- Organizational skills
- Leadership skills
- Teaching skills
- Deep knowledge of pedagogical theory
- Creative and analytical thinking skills
- Social and interpersonal skills
- Strong communication skills
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