Completion of the sequence of study in this major leads to Pennsylvania Department of Education special education certification (Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped Certificate). Students will be prepared to teach persons with mental retardation, autism, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, brain injuries, emotional/behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and multiple disabilities. Academic coursework and field experiences are integrated within the course of study. The program also provides a foundation for pursuing additional study at the graduate level.
The Education of Exceptional Persons Program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. By completing all program requirements, students will be eligible to obtain a Pennsylvania teaching certificate in the area of Cognitive, Behavior, and Physical/Health Disabilities (CBPHD). The age range that is covered by this certificate is N-12 (i.e., nursery school age to high school graduation).
In Pennsylvania, teachers certified in this area typically teach in K-12 public schools, specially approved state schools for students with special needs, and/or early intervention classrooms. In K-12 schools, this certification usually qualifies one to be titled a Learning Support Teacher, a Life Skills Teacher, an Emotional Support Teacher, or an Inclusion Specialist. Each of these teachers may work individually, in groups, or in inclusive settings with students with disabilities. The only types of students with disabilities that one is not qualified to teach with this endorsement includes students who are blind/visually impaired and students with hearing loss/deafness. However, the department does have a separate program for Education of Persons with Hearing Loss.
Most graduates are able to exit the program within four years if the suggested course sequence is followed. Students gain a wide range of experiences as they progress through the Education of Exceptional Persons program. In the 43 classroom-based credits, students will learn specific content about teaching methodologies and strategies as well as learning and behavior characteristics of different types of a broad range of disabilities. During the three field placements that occur throughout the undergraduate program, students are able to apply their knowledge first-hand in classrooms throughout Western Pennsylvania in public, private, and alternative school settings.
In addition to the directed field activities that are built into the Education of Exceptional Persons Program, students are encouraged and will have the opportunity to join student professional organizations that are involved with service activities within the community. Examples of these elective opportunities include volunteering at camps for children with disabilities, providing after-school tutoring at area schools to students at risk, and assisting with events such as the annual Special Olympics. In addition, students become involved in collegewide student organizations that focus on generic topics relative to the teaching profession. Two active student organizations at IUP include the Council for Exceptional Children and Kappa Delta Pi.
At this time, students successfully completing the requirements of this program have had ample employment opportunities made available to them both in this region and throughout the state. Because certification in Pennsylvania is generic (i.e., not disability specific) inquiries are often fielded from other states that would like to interview graduates of our program. In fact, formal partnerships have been created in Texas and Delaware where IUP students may complete their student teaching semester and explore obtaining a position out of state upon graduation. Finally, there are several oversees options available for student teaching.
In summary, students completing the Education of Exceptional Person’s program at IUP will be provided a breadth of knowledge about various disability categories, be given the opportunity to apply and practice teaching students in several different environments, and be encouraged to engage in professional activities outside the typical college classroom. Enrolling in this program of study will prepare the teacher candidate to begin a successful career working with individuals with disabilities in educational settings.
For further information concerning this program, please contact Dr. Susan Glor-Scheib at sglorsch@iup.edu.
For more information, see the undergraduate catalog.
