Compare two majors
Pick any two majors to see courses, skills, and typical career roles side by side. Useful if you're weighing two options that sound similar, like Computer Science vs. Data Science, or Biology vs. Biochemistry.
Education
Special Education
Teaching students with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
Typical courses
- ✓Foundations of Special Education
- ✓Characteristics of Learning Disabilities
- ✓Behavior Management & Support
- ✓Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Development
- ✓Assistive Technology
- ✓Inclusive Teaching Methods
Skills you'll build
Individualized instruction and accommodation designBehavior support strategiesUnderstanding disability law and IEP processesCollaboration with families and specialistsPatience and adaptability under varied classroom needsProgress monitoring and documentationAdvocacy for student needs
Good fit if you...
- ★Deeply patient and committed to supporting diverse learners
- ★Comfortable with individualized, adaptive teaching approaches
- ★Interested in the legal and advocacy side of education
- ★Resilient and steady in emotionally demanding situations
Roles this could lead to
Education
Elementary Education
Training to teach across subjects in grades K-5 or K-6.
Typical courses
- ✓Child Development
- ✓Foundations of Education
- ✓Teaching Reading & Literacy
- ✓Teaching Elementary Mathematics
- ✓Teaching Elementary Science
- ✓Classroom Management
Skills you'll build
Lesson planning across multiple subjectsClassroom management for young childrenUnderstanding child development and learning stylesDifferentiating instruction for varied learnersAssessing and tracking student progressCommunicating with parents and familiesPatience and adaptability in a dynamic classroom
Good fit if you...
- ★Enjoys working with young children and wants to teach broadly
- ★Patient, energetic, and comfortable managing a classroom
- ★Interested in child development alongside subject content
- ★Willing to complete certification and student-teaching requirements
Roles this could lead to
This comparison covers what each field of study typically includes. It's not a ranking, and it isn't a guarantee of course availability or outcomes at any specific school. See our disclaimer.