Graduates will be prepared to work with students who have high-incidence disabilities, such as learning disabilities (e.g., reading, writing, math), mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, behavioral and emotional disabilities, and communication disorders. Graduates teach evidence-based academic and behavioral strategies to students in grades K-12 in a continuum of settings.

Mild/Moderate students are encouraged to complete the ESL Endorsement.

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The Severe Disabilities program prepares candidates to become leaders within their school communities by working with students with severe (low incidence) disabilities in grades K-12 and adults up to age 22. The emphasis area in Severe Disabilities prepares teachers to serve students who are in need of systematic and individualized instruction. Students will learn to design effective instruction programs, plan and deliver differentiated instruction, effectively manage school classrooms, individual behavior, and implement data-driven and evidence-based interventions. The program integrates coursework with field experience, providing candidates with classroom-based opportunities to experience and implement strategies and procedures taught in special education courses.

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The Preschool Special Education/Early Intervention program prepares graduates to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Family-centered early intervention services (birth-three) are primarily provided in family homes. Team members from various disciplines partner with the parent(s) and infant or toddler to enhance the child’s development and inclusion within family routines.  Preschool special education teachers work in inclusive or specialized preschool programs as a classroom teacher, co-teacher, or itinerant support specialist who teams with general education preschool teachers and families to provide specialized individualized instruction and support for children with delays or disabilities within general education preschool curriculum and learning activities.

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This program specialization prepares teacher candidates to work with children/students who are blind and visually impaired. Candidates may choose from two tracks. Track 1:  Candidates prepare to serve children, ages birth through five, in home-based and preschool settings. Track 2:  Candidates prepare to work in specialized classrooms or inclusive/itinerant settings with students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Visual Impairments specialization provides a range of coursework that includes instruction in: the Unified English Braille code, Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments and the Expanded Core Curriculum for students who are blind or visually impaired to provide candidates with a knowledge base to support their students in the development of social skills, pre-academic and academic success.

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This program specialization prepares teacher candidates to work with children/students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Candidates may choose from two tracks. Track 1:  Candidates prepare to serve children, ages birth through five, in home-based and preschool settings. Track 2:  Candidates prepare to work in specialized classrooms or inclusive/itinerant settings with students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing specialization provides a range of comprehensive coursework that includes spoken language through audition, visual communication approaches and American Sign Language, towards language and literacy development, the development of cognition, social skills, and pre-academic and academic success.

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