Special Education
Certificate of Achievement
Program Details
The Special Education Certificate prepares students for employment as instructional aides in K - 12 public schools and early childhood programs where children identified with special needs are enrolled. In many of the courses required for this certificate, student's study, observe and learn utilizing the Child Development Laboratory Instructional Classrooms. A minimum grade of C is required in each course taken. The Special Education Certificate requires a total of 18 units.
Special Education Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2025-2026.
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Art Therapists
Master's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 38,840
- High salary: 120,050
- Average salary: 65010
Childcare Workers
High school diploma/GED, Associate's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 22,900
- High salary: 44,560
- Average salary: 32050
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Post-doctoral training
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 51,410
- High salary: 163,570
- Average salary: 117580
All Careers in Special Education (11)
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | Post-doctoral training | Stable | 117,580 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropsychologists | Post-doctoral training, Doctoral degree | Stable | 117,580 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree, Master's degree | Stable | 77,280 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree | Stable | 72,090 |
| Art Therapists | Master's degree | Rising | 65,010 |
| Music Therapists | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 65,010 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Declining | 62,340 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Declining | 61,430 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | Master's degree, Bachelor's degree | Declining | 58,120 |
| Childcare Workers | High school diploma/GED, Associate's degree | Rising | 32,050 |
| Nannies | High school diploma/GED, Some college | Rising | 32,050 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Analyze and think critically about the teacher’s comprehensive role in early learning and development settings.
- Design quality early childhood programs and curriculum.
- Evaluate the interrelationships of the child, family, school and greater community.
- Know and understand the established as well as recent theories of child development.