Special Education

alt="Assistant Professor Michael Sandbank works with a young girl who is wearing a cap containing sensors."

Special Education
#5 Ranked Program by U.S. News & World Report

Innovative research with a global impact

The Department of Special Education is routinely ranked among the top 10 peer departments in the nation. This year, U.S. News & World Report ranked us fourth among publics and fifth overall. We offer students the opportunity to gain specialist training and research experience with diverse populations across the lifespan.

Our faculty are actively involved in innovative research that has a global impact. We study topics such as supporting bilingual students with disabilities, math and reading interventions, design and evaluation of assistive technology, educating students with autism spectrum disorders, and the transition and post-school employment for people with disabilities.

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Graduate Programs

Master’s and doctoral programs designed to inspire students as advocates for special education. Our students engage in coursework led by experts in the field, and innovative research aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about our Graduate Programs
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Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate students can major in special education that may lead to a recommendation for teacher certification in special education (EC-12) and general education (EC-6). Students learn the foundations of teaching and how to support children with mild to severe disabilities.
Learn more about our Undergraduate Programs
Associate Professor Sarah Powell works in a lab while a student watches on a monitor.

Featured Research

Our research has an important global impact. The underlying drive of our research aims to improve the quality of life and access to equitable education for individuals with disabilities and their families, particularly in K-12 education.

Learn more about our research

About the Department

Learn more about how our department supports equitable educational opportunities for all members of society.

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Features

Supporting individuals with autism

Department of Special Education Sponsors Autism Conference

Fred Volkmar will present the keynote address, "The Changing Face of Autism: A Developmental Perspective" at 3:15 p.m., Massey Honor Hall. The conference will run from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on March 29, 2019.

Learn more about the conference
Photo of Soyoung Park

Soyoung Park an Inaugural Recipient of the President's Award for Global Learning

Park and her team will explore whether culturally grounded intervention programs can have an impact on people’s opinions on mental illness and suicide in South Korea.

Read the Story on UT News
Photo of James Patton

Adjunct Associate Professor Receives President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award

James Patton has been recognized as an educational innovator whose commitment and performance inspire students.

Learn more about the award and other recipients