The Special Education Comprehensive Program prepares students to teach K-12 learners with a broad range of exceptionalities, including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical and sensory disabilities, and other health impairments. Special education majors are trained to develop and implement effective individualized educational programs that enable K-12 learners with disabilities to develop essential competencies to succeed in areas of academics, socialization, behavior and communication, independent living, employment, and community participation. Special education teachers use their expertise to provide specialized instruction and behavioral support in collaboration with other school professionals and families. Students gain invaluable experience through multiple fieldwork opportunities incorporated into the program coursework. The department supports a student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children and provides additional opportunities for students to build instructional and leadership skills through participation in local, state and national conferences and volunteer experiences to support individuals with exceptionalities on campus and local special education communities. Students complete two full-time student teaching experiences at the elementary and secondary levels in their final semester of the program.
