Undergraduate Programs

This degree program prepares candidates to teach students with exceptionalities and work with parents, general educators, and related service personnel.

The programs in Special Education reflect a curriculum that combine existing and emerging theory and best practices based upon a conceptual framework that develops educators who are reflective and deliberate decision makers.

In this program, beginning educators develop knowledge, skills, and professionalism. Graduates of Special Education and/or Dual Certificate programs will be eligible to apply for certification to teach students receiving special education services in grades PreK-12 or with dual certification at the elementary level including grades PreK-4; middle level including grades 4 to 8, or secondary level grades 7 to 12 with specific content, depending on their area of specialization, in addition to teaching special education in PreK to grade 12.

The department offers the Integrated Program of studies cooperatively with the Departments of Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Professional and Secondary Education, leading to certification in both Special Education Early Childhood, Middle Level Education or Secondary Education.

All teacher education students should be in frequent consultation with their academic advisers to make sure they are meeting the appropriate program and certification requirements which will vary depending on a variety of circumstances.

About the Program

Special Education is an exciting and rewarding field and one that is also challenging and demanding. ESU is renowned for producing outstanding special education teachers who are skilled and prepared to enter the field.

The Special Education Dual Certification programs at ESU prepare special education teachers to teach students with disabilities and work with parents, general educators, and related service personnel. ESU’s Special Education programs reflect the latest research into best practices and a conceptual framework that develops educators who are reflective and deliberate decision makers.

Graduates of the Special Education/Dual Certification programs will be eligible to apply for certification to teach students in either PreK through 4th grade, 4th through 8th grades, or 7th through 12th grades, in addition to teaching students with disabilities in PreK through 12th grade. Requirements will vary based on program entry and completion dates. Check with the department for details.

Description of Certification Programs

Certification programs prepare candidates to teach students with low and high incidence disabilities and work with parents, general educators, and related service personnel. The programs in Special Education reflect a curriculum that combine existing and emerging theory and best practices based upon a conceptual framework that develops educators who are reflective and deliberate decision makers.

Beginning educators develop knowledge, processes, and professionalism. Special Education certification prepares students to teach students receiving special education services at the PreK-12 level. Additionally, the department offers the Integrated Program of studies cooperatively with the Departments of Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Professional and Secondary Education, leading to certification in Special Education Early Childhood, Middle Level or Secondary Education.

Graduates of Special Education/Dual Certificate programs will be eligible to apply for certification to teach students in Special Education PreK-12 with general education PreK-4 grades; or Special Education PreK-12 with general education Middle Level 4-8 grades; or Special Education 7-12 with general education content.

All teacher education students should be in frequent consultation with their academic advisers to make sure they are meeting the appropriate program and certification requirements which will vary depending on a variety of certification options.

Learning Outcomes: Specific to Special Education Preparation Programs

There are a variety of areas which the Department of Special Education must be responsive to the preparation of their candidates. Specific Learning Objectives (SLO) established within the East Stroudsburg University (ESU) strategic plan framework must be addressed. In addition, within the College of Education (COE), the Basic Education Outcomes (BEOs) are integrated into the specific department programs. Finally, specific to the preparation of candidates within the Special Education program, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Preparation Standards must be integrated. This is further defined by incorporating the Initial Specialty Set: Individualized General Curriculum and Individualized Independence Curriculum, Combined Knowledge & Skills.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Initial Level Special Educator Preparation Standards

1. Learner Development and Individual Learning Differences
   Beginning special education professionals understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
2. Learning Environments
   Beginning special education professionals create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
3. Curricular Content Knowledge
   Beginning special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
4. Assessment
   Beginning special education professionals use multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions.
5. Instructional Planning and Strategies
   Beginning special education professionals select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
6. Professional Learning and Practice
   Beginning special education professionals use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.
7. Collaboration
   Beginning special education professionals collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a wide range of learning experiences.

Initial Specialty Set: Individualized General Curriculum and Individualized Independence Curriculum, Combined Knowledge & Skills.

Assessment

The Department of Special Education receives overall accreditation through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). In addition, the Department of Special Education submits to and has received recognition from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Careers

Special Education is an exciting and rewarding field and one that is also challenging and demanding. ESU is renowned for producing outstanding special education teachers who are prepared and skilled.

Special Education Certification programs at ESU prepare special education teachers to teach students with disabilities and work with parents, general educators, and related service personnel. ESU’s Special Education programs reflect the latest research into best practices and a conceptual framework that develops educators who are reflective and deliberate decision makers.

Some potential career options include, but not limited to:

• Special Education teacher
• Early Intervention teacher
• Elementary Education teacher
• Middle Education teacher
• Paraprofessional
• Specific Content Coach
• Special Education Case Manager
• Behavioral Specialist
• Additional options as determined by the hiring agency

Faculty

Faculty are experts and experienced practitioners in the field of special education who teach and supervise students in their field experiences, internships, and/or student teaching. All faculty hold advanced degrees and are professionally involved at the local, state, regional, national, and/or international level. In addition, all faculty are involved in scholarly activity.

Student professional organizations within the Special Education program:

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a campus group that is part of an international organization that promotes quality programs for individuals with disabilities. CEC provides a great opportunity to meet fellow special educators and work with individuals of all ages who have disabilities. Some of the CEC activities include:

• Assisting with the Buddy Walk
• Helping with Special Olympics
• Tutoring at-risk students
• Scheduling guest speakers to present information about current special education topics
• Attending a state level CEC conference

Sigma Pi Epsilon Delta is the National Honor Society for special education and rehabilitation majors. After completion of nine credits of special education major coursework and two recommendation letters, students may apply to join the honorary. Interested applicants must have earned an overall cumulative quality point average of 3.25 or higher in addition to 50 hours of working with individuals with disabilities. Honor society members support activities for individuals with disabilities in the community.

Best Buddies is an international organization that enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. At East Stroudsburg University, we match university students and individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout the community in one-to-one friendships.

Rehabilitative Services Student Organization (RSSO) is the organization for majors in Rehabilitative Services. Members of the organization host speakers from adult service agencies and provide services from area rehabilitation agencies. Our organization is also an active supporter of the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association, which is the state chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association.