The field of special education has become more collaborative and inclusive. Special educators must be prepared to work collaboratively with general education personnel, and they must be well-versed in curriculum and instruction that meet the needs of all learners, including those with disability labels.

This program prepares students to teach in elementary grades (1-6) and to teach students with “mild” intervention needs. Mild intervention certification will replace licensure in the areas of learning disabilities and mild cognitive and emotional disabilities in the state of Indiana.

Students must enroll in either the full-time or part-time Learning to Teach/Teaching to Learn program (either cohort or blocked formats), beginning in the fall semester. In addition, students are required to take one of the following 3-credit seminars each semester while completing this program.

Professional Education:
Prerequisite/Corequisite (with Seminar 1): EDUC K205 Introduction to Exceptional Children (3 cr.)
Prerequisite/Corequisite (with Seminar 5): EDUC K206 Teaching Methods for Students with Special Needs (3 cr.)

Required Special Education courses:
Seminar 1: EDUC K490* (Fall) Individuals and Families in School and Society
Seminar 2: EDUC K490* (Spring) Assessment and Instruction
Seminar 3: EDUC K490* (Summer I) Collaboration and Service Delivery
Seminar 4: EDUC K490* (Summer II) Assistive Technology in Education
Seminar 5: EDUC K490* (Fall) Classroom Management and Behavior Support
Seminar 6: EDUC K490* (Spring) Transition Across the Lifespan
Practicum: EDUC K495 (6 cr.)

Field experience will be scheduled as part of the cohort or block programs. Students are required to complete a 16-week student teaching experience—eight weeks in an elementary school and the eight week practicum in special education.

*Note: K490 is a temporary course number for the Dual Certification program seminars.