Modified and Early Childhood Special Education

Career Opportunities

Special education teachers cannot be produced fast enough to meet existing needs. Critical teacher shortages exist in all areas and at all levels: preschool, elementary, middle and high school. At our annual college career fair, recruiters from surrounding states offered new computers, moving expenses, and signing bonuses.

Salary Trends in Special Education

Teacher salaries vary according to levels of formal training (bachelor's degree, master's, educational specialist, and doctorate) and the number of years of experience. Salaries vary among states and schools systems. Students graduating from the special education training program at UT typically complete their master's degree before beginning teaching. Since they also complete a one-year graduate-level internship, they begin as a second-year teacher. This places them two steps up on the pay scale—one for the advanced degree (M.S.E.) and one for the internship teaching year.

Contact CEHHS

335 Claxton Complex 1122 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996

Phone: 865-974-2201
Fax: 865-974-8718