体育买球’s Department of Education will offer a new Bachelor of Science degree in special education beginning Fall 2020.

The new academic program will prepare graduates to become certified to teach special education across grades PK-12.

“We developed this program to meet the demand for teachers who are prepared with the skills necessary for meeting the needs of students with disabilities,” said Leigh Ann Kurz, assistant professor of education. “Special education can be challenging work, but it’s really rewarding work.”

This program will provide SU’s teacher candidates with the essential skills, knowledge, and competencies required for meeting the needs of students with disabilities in multiple settings.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, there were 297,644 students with disabilities enrolled in special education during the 2017-18 academic school year. The U.S. Department of Education reported in 2018 that special educators are third on the list of teacher shortages in Pennsylvania.

In addition to coursework, the program also includes field experiences that begin as early as the student’s first year at the lower level (PK – grade 6) and upper levels (7-12) and across high- and low-incidence disabilities. 体育买球’s special education program also requires a student teaching component during the spring semester of senior year, with placements focusing on students who receive special education services in a variety of classroom settings.

For more information, contact Leigh Ann Kurz at .