BS in Special Education

Because you want to make a difference

This program will not just prepare you to teach students with special learning needs, it also will empower you to shape the future of special education. When you graduate with a special education degree from Susquehanna University, you will be equipped with the knowledge of processes, policies, procedures, strategies, and learning theories to effectively support students with mild to severe disabilities.

The Special Education Program at Susquehanna University is designed to prepare you to teach students with disabilities from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 in a variety of educational settings. As the number of students with one or more behavioral, cognitive or physiological differences or disabilities continues to rise, your knowledge and skills will be in high demand. According to National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 14% of all U.S. public school students received special education services in 2018-19.

As a future special education teacher, you will learn about evidence-based teaching methods, strategies, and assistive technologies and will apply this knowledge in the classroom. Additionally, you will be trained to assess individual student needs, develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and monitor progress.

Discover what it takes to be a special education teacher

Professors with classroom experience will provide instruction in methods of supporting students across all disability categories to promote academic, social, and emotional success. The Susquehanna University degree in special education combines foundational educational theories and practices with field experience applications.

You will complete a progression of field experiences in a variety of special education classrooms that begin with observations and engagement with students and progress to more complex responsibilities such as lesson planning and small group instruction. During the spring semester of your senior year, you will complete your student teaching. Your comprehensive coursework at Susquehanna University, combined with field experiences and student teaching placements, will prepare you for a career as a highly qualified special education teacher.

Teacher Intern Program

Adults making a career change can also participate in SU’s Special Education Program. Susquehanna University, selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, provides the Teacher Intern Program to holders of baccalaureate degrees seeking teacher certification. Candidates can complete the required education courses while employed full-time as an educator under supervision.

Forging Partnerships for Teaching and Learning

Teacher candidates possess a foundation in liberal arts that supports and enhances studies and experiences about educational theory, research, collaboration, reflection, and professional development. Current trends, best practices, and performance assessments are inherent in the program design. Academic standards of basic education, program licensure standards, performance standards, and the code of professional conduct are embedded in regulation, educational research, and professional practice. The Education Department encourages the ongoing participation of the educational community in program planning and evaluation in support of the conceptual framework for teaching that includes preparation and planning, classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities.

In support of this, we are committed to:

• Honoring and supporting each child
• Developing learning communities
• Exploring career paths and educational opportunities
• Collaborating with all stakeholders
• Modeling reflective teaching, decision making, and leadership
• Advancing integrated instructional technology
• Articulating high expectations for all children
• Celebrating diversity

Our students thrive, and you will too, as you are mentored by professors who are both experts in their fields and exceptional teachers. Coursework at Susquehanna is intense — you will enjoy personalized attention from your faculty as they help you learn and develop the skills you need to be a job and/or graduate school ready.

Many schools talk about study abroad but at Susquehanna, everyone does it. We are nationally recognized for our commitment to global experiences and cultural competence through our innovative Global Opportunities (GO) program.

Mission

We educate students for productive, creative, and reflective lives of achievement, leadership, and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world.

Academics

You'll choose from more than 100 majors and minors, as well as pre-professional programs and an interdisciplinary honors program.

The School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural & Social Sciences and the AACSB accredited Sigmund Weis School of Business offer Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music degrees.

You'll benefit from our exceptional faculty and small classes that facilitate participation. Our innovative curriculum encourages breadth and depth of study as you develop your skillset, and participation in our Global Opportunities program develops your cultural competence.

In essence, the world is open to you when you choose Susquehanna University.

Susquehanna is an accredited, not-for-profit institution which means that our programs are both certified and recognized for their excellence. Our accreditations include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the American Chemical Society, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. We're also a member of the Annapolis Group, an organization of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.