The Watson College of Education offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education (K-12) for students interested in teaching students with exceptionalities. Special Education majors select from two instructionally-oriented tracks: Adapted Curriculum or General Curriculum. Many of the courses in the university studies and professional studies are similar; however, the specialty area courses for adapted and general curriculum are different. Students in the program also will have the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in assistive technology, teaching academic skills to diverse learners, instructional design, classroom management, collaboration, and applied research.
The Special Education Adapted Curriculum option prepares teachers to provide instruction to assist students with moderate to severe disabilities who are not enrolled in the general education curriculum. Students supported have moderate to severe physical and/or intellectual disabilities, including such diagnoses as: Down syndrome, moderate to severe autism, Fragile X syndrome, multiple disabilities, and medically fragile students. Training includes instructional practices to teach functional skills, as well as functional academics, in a small controlled setting (self-contained classroom). These classrooms provide highly individualized instruction for students whose needs cannot be met in the general education classroom and are typically comprised of students in the same categorical grouping. Assistive technologies and sign language are also taught in the program. Successful completion of this program and licensure requirements will lead to a B.A. degree and licensure in Adapted Special Education (K-12).
