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First, some facts. Of the Special Education and Teaching graduates from Western Governors University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 85%, Special Education and Teaching graduates from Western Governors University have a much higher likelihood (+18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 35% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), which is right in line with the average across all fields.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Special Education and Teaching. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProgram Mentor II Western Governors University Aug 2017 - Present Faculty Manager Western Governors University Jan 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education - MEdWestern Governors University 2016 - 2017 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After going through the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Western Governors University who studied Special Education and Teaching, it's pretty clear that many of them have held jobs directly related to their field. The most common positions seem to be Special Education Teachers, Resource Teachers, and roles like Reading Interventionists. These jobs are all closely aligned with the skills and knowledge they gained during their degree and focus on supporting students with special needs. For instance, being a Special Education Teacher is all about applying those specialized techniques to help students thrive academically and socially, which aligns perfectly with what they studied.
However, not all jobs they took are strictly linked to special education. Some graduates have worked as English Second Language Teachers or Curriculum Developers, which may involve transferable skills but don't heavily rely on the specialized knowledge gained from their degree. Other positions, like Customer Support Specialists or Care Specialists, have shown only moderate relevance to special education. Overall, while most graduates are indeed applying their education in meaningful ways within the special education sector, there are a few who have ventured into roles that stray from that path. So, it really varies, but if you're looking to work in special education, there are plenty of opportunities aligning well with that degree!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Special Education and Teaching graduates (this is across all Special Education and Teaching graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Governors University):
So, when you look at graduates from the Special Education and Teaching program at Western Governors University, it seems like they generally start off pretty successfully in their careers. For many of them, their first jobs right after graduating are typically in teaching roles, especially as special education teachers. A lot of them seem to land positions in school districts not long after graduating, which is encouraging! This is something you definitely want to see; they’re not just scrambling to find jobs unrelated to their field. In fact, numerous early-career teachers often hold multiple roles, including intervention specialists, resource teachers, and even curriculum developers within the first few years.
Fast forward five or ten years later, and many of these graduates are still in the education field. A number of them stick with teaching, moving up the ranks either to more advanced teaching positions or taking on additional responsibilities like team leads or mentors. You can tell that there's a commitment to special education, as many of them remain in that area, working with students who need extra support. While a few have branched out into other fields, like curriculum development or educational management, the majority find long-term careers that remain relevant to their degree. Overall, they seem to have solid career trajectories, helping make a difference in the lives of students with special needs, which is pretty awesome!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Teaching at Western Governors University (WGU) can be a pretty intense but rewarding experience. WGU is known for its competency-based learning model, which means you move at your own pace, so if you’re someone who can stay motivated and manage your time well, it could feel a bit easier than a traditional program. However, the coursework itself is still pretty challenging because you’ll be diving into complex subjects like learning disabilities, behavioral strategies, and even legal aspects of teaching. So, while it can definitely be manageable—especially if you're passionate about helping students—it's not exactly a walk in the park either!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Special Education and Teaching.
Looking at the job history of these Special Education and Teaching grads from Western Governors University, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well while others might be scraping by. Teachers typically don’t earn a ton of cash, especially in their early years, and many of these folks have started off with positions like resource teachers or paraprofessionals, which often pay on the lower end of the scale. However, there are also some who have moved into curriculum development and leadership roles, which usually come with better salaries. Plus, a few of them have been involved with VIPKid, which can be a side gig that pays decently if you hustle. Overall, it looks like there's a mix of financial situations, with some likely making decent money while others may still be working their way up.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Special Education and Teaching (this is across all Special Education and Teaching graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Governors University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Special Education and Teaching (ordered by the average relevance score of their Special Education and Teaching graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Illinois State University
|
87 | 15 |
 Western Governors University
|
85 | 17 |