The Special Education Comprehensive Program prepares students to teach K-12 learners with a broad range of exceptionalities, including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical and sensory disabilities, and other health impairments.
Special Education majors are trained to develop and implement effective individualized educational programs that enable K-12 learners with disabilities to develop essential competencies to succeed in academics, socialization, behavior and communication, independent living, employment, and community participation. The teachers use their expertise to provide specialized instruction and behavioral support in collaboration with other school professionals and families. Students gain invaluable experience through multiple fieldwork opportunities incorporated into the program coursework.
The department supports a student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children and provides additional opportunities for students to build instructional and leadership skills through participation in local, state, and national conferences and volunteer experiences to support individuals with exceptionalities on campus and in local special education communities. Students complete two full-time student teaching experiences at the elementary and secondary levels in their final semester of the program.
Careers
The Special education program prepares students for challenging and extremely rewarding careers as special education teachers, who will make a significant, lifelong difference in the lives of individuals with exceptionalities.
The job outlook for graduates of our program is excellent. Our programs prepare students for certification as K-12 special education teachers or dually certified special and elementary education teachers. Southern students are in high demand because of their excellent preparation to instruct and support students with a wide range of strengths and challenges.
Currently, there is a shortage of qualified special education teachers in the state, and Connecticut teacher salaries are among the highest in the U.S.
Typical Job Titles
- Special Education Teacher
- Inclusion Specialist
- Behavioral Interventionist
- Learning Support Teacher
- Adaptive Physical Education Specialist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Special Education Program Coordinator
- Assistive Technology Specialist
- Special Education Curriculum Developer
Accreditation
Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.