Special Education, K-12

Special Education has long been the number one teaching shortage area in Virginia and across the United States. The Special Education concentration in the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies is designed for students interested in teaching children and youth with disabilities in the general education or adapted curriculum. The emphasis is on preparing effective special educators who can work collaboratively in today’s complex and diverse classrooms to maximize learning for all children.

 

 

The bachelor’s degree includes pre-professional coursework and three semesters of field experiences for teacher licensure. If students choose to continue for an additional year, they may earn a master’s degree and be eligible for Virginia’s Special Education Adapted Curriculum license.

Special Education: General and Adapted Curriculum Five Year Option

The Special Education: General and Adapted Curriculum five-year option results in K-12 teaching licensure in two areas of special education and both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Completion of the fifth year M.S. in Special Education is required for Virginia licensure with endorsements in Special Education: General Curriculum, K-12 and Special Education: Adapted Curriculum, K-12. Students must meet all requirements for admission before being enrolled in the graduate portion of the program. Progress sheets for the Special Education Teacher: General and Adapted Curriculum Preparation Program can be found on the College of Education and Human Development Advising Resources page. 

Competencies

Candidates in special education develop competencies in:

• Teaching in elementary, middle, and high schools to maximize learning for all students
• Inclusive Education
• Collaboration
• Universally designing instruction for learning
• Managing classroom behaviors
• And much more!

View the program catalog for the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies