High-Demand Special Education Careers You Can Pursue with an Online Degree

When you hear about a “degree in special education,” what is the first career option that comes to mind? Chances are teaching, and for good reason too.

Teaching remains one of the most sought-after careers in special education. Many people are passionate about supporting children with special needs in various impactful roles, such as those of Behavioral Analysts, Occupational Therapists, and School Counselors, among others.

If you’re looking to ace one of these high-demand Careers in Special Education besides Teaching, too, read on to explore relevant details- the skills required, job roles, settings, and much more.

Exploring Careers in Special Education Besides Teaching

What are the top careers in the field of special education besides teaching? What are the job roles? Take a quick look right here!

Career Path	Job Responsibilities	Settings
Behavioral Analyst	Addressing behavior-related issues, especially in the field of autism	Schools, Districts
Occupational Therapist	Treating a wide range of disorders like anxiety, depression, etc, to help individuals function independently	Educational centers, rehab centres, and home healthcare
School Counselor	Providing informal counseling, career guidance, and academic advice to students	Schools
School Psychologist	Providing psychological services to help students succeed behaviorally, academically, and emotionally	Schools
Social Worker	Helping individuals, groups, and communities lead better lives	Diverse environments

Let’s take a deeper dive into the Jobs for Special Education Teachers outside the Classroom.

Behavioral Analyst

Behavioral analysts are responsible for treating behavior-related issues, especially among autistic children, across diverse environments. Key job responsibilities include:

• Meeting families, teachers, etc, to discuss the behavioral problems that need attention
• Observing concerning behavior
• Recording time and other data related to the behavior
• Deploying graphs to track changes
• Applying and adjusting interventions, as necessary

Also Read: Must-Know 2025 Trends for Educational Leadership Course Learners

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists treat diverse disorders to help restore daily functionalities among individuals so they can spend their lives independently and productively:

• Anxiety disorder
• Amputations
• Depression
• Dementia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Stroke
• Development Delays

School Counselor

A school counselor wears many hats, helping students, teachers, and parents simultaneously. Their primary job responsibility is to assist students with special needs in addressing their emotional and academic concerns effectively. Here is a snapshot of their job responsibilities:

• Academic Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Conflict Resolution
• Mental Wellness Support
• Parent-Teacher Cooperation
• Crisis Intervention

Also Read: Top Career Paths for Graduates with an Ed.D. in K–12 Educational Leadership

School Psychologist

School psychologists work with students from elementary and high schools to help them succeed academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. They assist students:

• With physical disabilities
• With mental health challenges
• Dealing with classroom bullying
• Struggling with poor academic performance

Social Worker

It is often common for differently-abled people to encounter stigmatization, victimization, and segregation in varying degrees. Social workers with a degree in special education work with these individuals to help them lead more fulfilling lives.

They work in diverse environments including:

• Hospitals
• Mental Health Facilities
• Orphanages
• Schools
• Community Development Organizations

Skills that Open Up Special Education Career Options

As a professional responsible for examining the physical, social, and cognitive development of children with high or low incidence of disability, you must have the following skills:

• Conflict Resolution
• Mandatory Reporting
• Skills associated with the basic components of inclusive learning
• Data Collection
• Data Interpretation
• Progress Monitoring

Also Read: Smart Ways to Balance Work and Study in an Accelerated Online Program

Edgewood College – Your Path to a Rewarding Special Education Career

If you’re passionate about helping individuals with physical, intellectual, emotional, and cognitive disabilities, then explore Edgewood College’s Cross-Categorical Special Education Degree Completion Program today!

Ace top high-demand special education careers with access to:

• Top-notch guidance from a world-class faculty
• Top accreditation (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI))
• Professional development and community services activities
• Highly flexible hybrid learning format
• Cost-Effective Initial Licensure Sequence
• An unparalleled legacy of education

FAQs on High Demand Special Education Careers with an Online Degree

Q: What are some special education careers that don’t involve teaching?
Ans: With a degree in special education, you can explore a wide range of high-demand career opportunities, excluding teaching. Some of these jobs are – Behavioral Analysts, Social Workers, School Psychologists, and School Counselors. Some of these roles may even require you to work in settings beyond schools.

Q: Can I work in special education without becoming a teacher?
Ans: Yes, you can. Many passionate individuals are looking to support children and youth with special needs in other impactful roles that don’t involve teaching. Behavioral Analysts, Social Workers, School Psychologists, and School Counselors are just a few of these high-demand career opportunities.

Q: What certifications help advance a career in special education?
Ans: With Edgewood College’s Bachelor of Arts in Cross-Categorical Special Education Degree, you can pursue roles like Behavioral Analysts, Social Workers, School Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Special Education Paraprofessionals, and School Counselors. A few of these roles may also require additional certifications.

Q: What industries have the highest demand for special education professionals?
Ans: Some of the industries with a high demand for special education professionals include education, healthcare, non-profit organisations, and government agencies. A few notable job roles include therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and recreational therapists.

Q: Is special education a good career choice for long-term stability?
Ans: Yes, it is. With mental health (and its physical and behavioral impact) getting more complicated with time, the need for professionals like therapists, counselors, and behavioral analysts will only intensify. The roles and skills will evolve with more speculative challenges coming into play. To build a sustainable career in this field, ensure you’re upskilling as needed.