Harper College

Special Education

Begin your career in special education

Because not all students learn the same way, special education teachers are pivotal in matching instructional methods to a student's particular needs. Special education teachers learn to work with students with disabilities and other special needs to help maximize their potential and give them the best opportunities for success in school and life.

By completing an associate’s degree at Harper, you could be one step closer to obtaining a special education teaching license. Courses cover such topics as social and behavioral sciences, educational technology, psychology and more. Observing and speaking with special education instructors in their classrooms as part of the required clinical will give you first-hand experience with students.

Start at Harper. Finish at a four-year university.

The Associate in Arts (AA) degree prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor's degree in special education. Speak with your advisor about the best courses to take to meet your academic goals. It is suggested that first semester students who want to pursue special education take EDU 201 to learn about the profession and to complete their Academic Plan.

Harper also offers institution-specific transfer information to help prepare you to transition to a four-year university. To learn more, visit our Transfer Information page or see your advisor.

Explore Special Education Careers

Learn more about career outcomes for Harper's Special Education degree program. Each career profile offers a complete picture on the local job market, including salaries, open positions, top local employers and more. To learn more, visit our Special Education Careers page.

Resources

Next steps

For more information about starting your college education at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.

Special Education Program News

Get the latest news and updates from the Harper Special Education department.

Eric Hiller Career Skills Institute Portrait Thumbnail

Harper program teaches job skills to students with mild intellectual disabilities

Eric Hiller, a young adult with autism, gained a range of employability skills via Harper College’s Career Skills Institute. Read More

Last Updated: 9/30/24