The emphasis throughout the Special Education program is upon a broad clinical teaching model. Course work and practicum experiences focus upon the diagnosis and management of a wide range and degree of educational and behavioral problems of students with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21. A core of Special Education courses aimed at general skill development in the areas of diagnosis, prescription, development of materials and teaching strategies, implementation, and evaluation is required of all students.
This major focuses on teaching principles and methodologies, classroom and behavioral management, and the development of teaching materials for children and youths with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities. This program helps prepare special education teachers to meet the needs of students enrolled in elementary and secondary public school special education programs.

The executive vice president and provost of the University has approved administrative enrollment controls for this major. The number of students admitted each year to this major is limited. Additional information about applying for this major is available in the dean's office in the College of Education.

Upon successful completion of the major outlined below, students become eligible for the Pennsylvania Level I Certificate in Teaching the Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped.
For the B.S. degree in Special Education, 123 credits are required. (See also Teacher Education Programs.)
GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(12-15 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in this bulletin.)
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Contact

To Sally Heffentreyer at the University Publications department (sah6@psu.edu) for concerns related to the Web Bulletin's college, department, or school descriptions; the University's General Education program; and the Web Bulletin's general information section.

Universities and Colleges offering Special Education