Special Education: General Curriculum, B.S.

UNC Greensboro’s Bachelors of Science in Special Education prepares teacher candidates to lead and serve students with disabilities in public and private K–12 settings. Students gain extensive classroom experience, completing four clinical field experiences, including a semester-long student-teaching placement. Our graduates leave with the ability and experience that positions them as leaders in special education and community services, helping to foster inclusive education, and inclusion in the community. 

Note: The Departments of Teacher Education & Higher Education and Specialized Education Services offer a dual licensure concentration in elementary education and special education. Students completing this program are eligible for initial licensure in Elementary Education K–6 and Special Education: General Curriculum K–12.

The Dual Licensure Concentration provides undergraduate teacher candidates clinical and field-based experiences across educational settings. Throughout their course of study, students apply their knowledge and skills in classrooms to be prepared for a career in education. The program culminates in a student teaching placement in an inclusive educational context.

Program Distinctions

• Clinical experiences throughout the program provide meaningful opportunities for students to practice their knowledge and skills in diverse K-12 settings.

• The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. 

• Accredited by The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

• Courses address educator standards from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards (NCPTS).

• Dual major available for students who want to study General Education and Special Education.

Be sure to meet with your academic advisor each semester for more details pertaining to your program of study.

The Student Experience

• Students learn about trends and issues in the field of special education, characteristics and needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities, specialized teaching methods, strategies for collaboration with parents/caregivers and colleagues, high-leverage practices, positive behavioral supports, and technology applications that support students’ learning and behavior.
• Field experiences give students the opportunity to work with individuals with and without disabilities in a variety of K-12 inclusive educational settings.
• Students have access to a state-of-the-art SELF (Student Educator Learning Factory) design studio that prepares pre-service teachers for the 21st-century classroom using a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education lab.
• Students can utilize the Teaching Resources Center (TRC) which offers a variety of professional resources useful in preparing lesson plans, as well as all K-12 state adopted textbooks and study guides for NC teacher licensure exams.
• Students are supported by an engaging faculty who helps them succeed throughout the program and prepare for their future careers in education.

After Graduation

• Graduates are eligible to become special education teachers, interventionists, and other roles in a variety of K-12 school settings. 
• Graduates are eligible for licensure by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction in Special Education (K-12) General Curriculum.
• Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in the field of education and often grow into leadership roles at the school and/or district level.
• Many undergraduates continue into the M.Ed. in Special Education program to earn their advanced licensure in K-12 Special Education General Curriculum

Apply to Special Education: General Curriculum, B.S.

• The U.S. Department of Education requires that all higher education institutions advise students as to whether their curriculum provides them with the eligibility to apply for a professional license and/or certification in the state for which they plan to practice. As such, please review UNC Greensboro’s status by state for the initial teaching license in Special Education: General Curriculum. You should note whether the program either “meets”, “does not meet”, or if there “has not been a determination” of the program’s status in the state for which you plan to practice. You should contact the program’s support staff at jibost@uncg.edu with any questions regarding this data. Licensure Reciprocity Information

• The 127-semester-hour licensure program in special education follows the admission guidelines of the School of Education teacher programs including:  (a) a minimum passing score established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on the Professional Assessment for Beginning Teachers (Praxis I); (b) recommendations from the Departments of Specialized Education Services and Teacher Education and Higher Education; and (c) completion of at least 12 semester credit hours at UNC Greensboro.
  
  Additional departmental requirements include (a) a grade of C or better in either TED 250 or SES 250 and (b) completion of all courses needed to fulfill the UNC Greensboro general education requirements (GEC).