Programs of Study - Special Education and Clinical Services

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The Department of Special Education and Clinical Services houses a unique blend of interrelated programs of study: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Disability Services, and Education of Exceptional Persons.

Through unified and interrelated program structure, exiting graduate and undergraduate students are prepared to assume employment in diverse settings in which children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities receive services. Consistent with federal law and accreditation standards, the department serves a major role in enhancing the ability of preservice educators to provide a variety of life-span services which focus on development and implementation of education, transition, habilitation, and rehabilitation plans for people with disabilities. The department also provides courses to enhance the ability of regular educators to teach children, youth, and young adults with special needs.

Information about specific undergraduate majors can be found on the following pages:

B.S.Ed. in Education of Exceptional Persons: 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.
Minor: Education of Exceptional Persons: Completion of the minor in Education of Exceptional Persons will prepare students to have a better understanding of the social, emotional, and learning characteristics of individuals with mental retardation, autism, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, brain injuries, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and multiple disabilities.
Dual Certification: Exceptional: Students majoring in Elementary Education may complete academic requirements for certification in Education of Exceptional Persons by completing the following requirements.
B.S.Ed. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: Completion of the sequence of courses in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology serves as a preprofessional program for students planning to become practicing speech-language pathologists or audiologists.
B.S. in Disability Services: Completion of this multidisciplinary curriculum prepares graduates to work as professionals serving individuals with disabilities in a wide array of public and private sector agencies and service providers.

M.Ed. in Education of Exceptional Persons Plus Special Education Certification (Option 1): The Certification and M.Ed. program is structured to address the educational needs of graduate students who hold another teaching certificate and wish to obtain special education certification while working toward an M.Ed. degree in Education of Exceptional Persons.
Special Education Certification Only at the Graduate Level (Option 2): The certification only program is structured to address the educational needs of graduate students who hold another teaching certificate and wish to obtain special education certification without earning the M.Ed. degree.
M.Ed. in Education of Exceptional Persons (Option 3): The M.Ed. program is structured to address the educational needs of graduate students who do not want to qualify for teaching certification but who do wish to work professionally with persons with disabilities.
M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology: The Speech-Language Pathology program culminates in a Master of Science degree.