宾州州立大学帕克分校

The emphasis throughout the Special Education program is upon a broad clinical teaching model. Course work and practicum experiences focus upon the diagnosis and management of a wide range and degree of educational and behavioral problems of students with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21. A core of Special Education courses aimed at general skill development in the areas of diagnosis, prescription, development of materials and teaching strategies, implementation, and evaluation is required of all students.

This major focuses on teaching principles and methodologies, classroom and behavioral management, and the development of teaching materials for children and youths with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities. This program helps prepare special education teachers to meet the needs of students enrolled in elementary and secondary public school special education programs.

Baccalaureate degree candidates must meet the following requirements 1-3 by the end of their third semester:
1. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00
2. Satisfaction of any basic-skills or entrance testing requirements as specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in force at the time of application for entrance to the major.
3. Documentation of at least 80 hours of volunteer or paid education work experience with learners of the age group the candidate plans to teach. Candidates for Special Education must document two separate 40-hour experiences in two different settings, with learners who have special needs. One experience should include learners with a different level of severity or functioning (e.g., mild/severe, young/adult) from those learners in the other experience. One experience should also include learners with cultural, social, or ethnic backgrounds different from the candidates own.

CAREER PATHS

Career opportunities for graduates with teaching certification include:

• An M.Ed. graduate degree and eligibility for PA certification in special education.
• Special Education Supervisory program for PDE certification
• Focused program for working with all learners with Autism
• Professionals may also be interested in the focus the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program certificate to prepare BCBAs and behavior therapists