Study special education for supporting students with disabilities. Learn about instructional strategies, individualized education plans, and inclusive practices.

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Communication Disorders, Neurology, School Psychology, Patient Evaluation, Disabilities, Special Education, Pediatrics, Child Development, Rehabilitation, Diagnostic Tests, Clinical Assessment, Mental Health, Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Occupational Therapy, Psychological Evaluations
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Special Education, School Psychology, Case Studies, Student Support and Services, Mental Health, Health Promotion, Behavior Management, Positive Behavior Support, Crisis Intervention, Data Collection
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Cape Town
Skills you'll gain: Disabilities, Visual Impairment Education, Developmental Disabilities, Special Education, Instructional Strategies, Student Support and Services, Educational Materials, Teaching, Social Justice, Pedagogy, Differentiated Instruction, Instructional Design, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Diversity Awareness, Curriculum Development, Working With Children
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Glasgow
Skills you'll gain: Diversity Awareness, Pedagogy, Differentiated Instruction, Special Education, Disabilities, Cultural Diversity, Instructional Strategies, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Higher Education, Curriculum Development, Student-Centred Learning, Student Engagement
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Cape Town
Skills you'll gain: Lifelong Learning, Family Support, Disabilities, Working With Children, Caregiving, Training Programs, Human Learning, Patient Education and Support, Special Education, Child Development, Advocacy, Curriculum Planning, Care Coordination, Instructional Strategies
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Special Education, Nutrition Education, Community Health, School Psychology, Chronic Diseases, Case Studies, Student Support and Services, Nutrition and Diet, Health Education, Health Promotion, Public Health, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Parent Communication, Care Management, Communication Disorders, Neurology, Child Health, Behavioral Health
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Deep Teaching Solutions
Skills you'll gain: Lesson Planning, Critical Thinking, Classroom Management, Stress Management, Instructional Strategies, Teaching, Education and Training, Student Engagement, Differentiated Instruction, Learning Strategies, Pedagogy, Lecturing, Human Learning, Learning Theory, Special Education, Stress First Aid, Time Management, Education Software and Technology, Discussion Facilitation, Learning Management Systems
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Special Education, Education Software and Technology, Microsoft Office
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Yale University
Skills you'll gain: Disabilities, School Psychology, Special Education, Literacy, Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Diagnostic Tests, Working With Children, Psychological Evaluations, Student Support and Services, Education Software and Technology, Resilience, Learning Strategies, Child Development, Advocacy
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Cape Town
Skills you'll gain: Disabilities, Special Education, Cultural Responsiveness, Child Development, Teaching, Differentiated Instruction, Parent Communication, Advocacy, Non-Verbal Communication
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Cape Town
Skills you'll gain: Visual Impairment Education, Differentiated Instruction, Teaching, Special Education, Curriculum Development, Adaptive Equipment, Disabilities, Classroom Management, Student Support and Services, Working With Children, Diversity Awareness
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Cambridge
Skills you'll gain: Childhood Education and Development, Human Learning, Child Development, Psychology, Decision Making, Teaching, Learning Theory, Instructional Strategies, Learning Strategies, Empathy, Neurology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Medical Imaging, Special Education, Electrophysiology, Human Development, Non-Verbal Communication, Psychiatry
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Special Education is the practice of teaching students in a way that addresses their individual differences and special needs. It’s often applied to teaching those with intellectual, mental, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, physical, and learning disabilities. It also applies to teaching students with special talents or abilities.
In an education climate where just 17 percent of general-education teachers feel “very well prepared” to teach children with issues like ADHD and dyslexia, the need for quality Special Education skills and knowledge is very important. Teachers who focus on Special Education play an important role in advancing the confidence and success of special-needs students.
There are a wide variety of opportunities available for learners interested in Special Education, from teaching to jobs in healthcare and government. Some roles include Special Education Teachers, Special Education Teacher’s Assistant, Special Education Program Coordinator, Speech Pathologist, Audiologist, Early Intervention Special Educator, Lobbyist, and related specializations.
Courses on Special Education offered through Coursera provide learners with fundamental information on how various common disabilities affect areas of learning, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD); hearing, visual, and intellectual disabilities; ADHD and other learning disabilities; and more.
Lessons in these courses are administered via lectures, readings, quizzes, reflections, and discussions.
An interest in people with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities is the main prerequisite to starting to learn special education. Many people who want to work in special education already have some experience in the field of education, whether they've worked as a teacher, teaching assistant, or daycare worker. You can also gain some experience by volunteering to work with children, particularly children who have special needs. Special education teachers and specialists typically work with children of all ages, ranging from preschool through high school.
People who work in special education need to be patient and even-tempered. Because you'll be working with children or adults with special needs, they may be slower or quicker than average to accomplish tasks. Creativity is also important. Children with special needs may not do well with traditional teaching methods, so you'll need to find unique ways to deliver information. You'll also need to be compassionate and accepting since you'll be working with people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. Like any type of teacher or person who works with children, you'll need to be organized, intuitive, and able to adapt to any situation. It's also important to have a calming presence. Many children, including those with special needs, are overwhelmed by the classroom environment and being away from home. Those who work in a school environment need to be willing to collaborate with a team as well. You'll be working with other teachers, teaching assistants, administrators, and parents to make sure all children receive the best possible education.
Anyone who wants to work with people with special needs and is interested in working in a school setting may be suited to learn about special education. Even if you have a child in your own family with special needs, learning about special education may help you better understand them and even help them advance despite any disabilities. If you've ever thought about becoming an advocate for people with special needs, learning special education and applying it to your career or volunteer work can help you go further. If you're already a teacher or teaching assistant, and you're looking for a way to specialize or advance your career, learning special education can help add new skills to your resume and potentially find more advanced jobs in your field.
Online Special Education courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Special Education skills. Choose from a wide range of Special Education courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.
When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Special Education, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.