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Special Education

alt="Special Education Professor Sarah Powell writes a math equation on a clear board in front of a green screen. "

Special Education/Educación Especial
#9 Ranked Program by U.S. News & World Report / Clasificado como el 9° mejor programa por U.S. News & World Report

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 ninth overall and eighth among publics. 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.
A student organizes materials used with special education students

Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate students can major in special education that leads to a recommendation for teacher certification in special education (EC-12) and general education (EC-6). Students learn the foundations of teaching and supporting children with mild to severe disabilities.
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.

Programas de postgrado

Programas de maestría y doctorado diseñados para inspirar a los estudiantes como defensores de la educación especial. Nuestros estudiantes participan en cursos dirigidos por expertos en el campo y en investigaciones innovadoras destinadas a mejorar la vida de las personas con discapacidades.

Estudios de pregrado

Los estudiantes de pregrado pueden especializarse en educación especial que conduce a una recomendación para la certificación de maestros en educación especial (EC-12) y educación general (EC-6). Los estudiantes aprenden los fundamentos de la enseñanza y el apoyo a los niños con discapacidades de leves a graves.

Investigaciones destacadas

Nuestra investigación tiene un impacto global importante. El impulso subyacente de nuestra investigación tiene como objetivo mejorar la calidad de vida y el acceso a una educación equitativa para las personas con discapacidades y sus familias, en particular para niños de los 3 a los 19 años.

About the Department

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

Photo of Christian Doabler

Dr. Doabler in the Journal of Educational Psychology

Associate Professor Dr. Doabler and his research team published their work in the Journal of Educational Psychology. Their study investigates whether second-grade mathematic intervention can improve the proficiencies of students who are at-risk for long-term difficulties.

Photo of young children sitting in a classroom

Enhancing the Student Experience Through Community Partnerships

Laura Estep, assistant professor of practice, created new opportunities for graduate students to present with community partners serving the autistic community to foster information sharing, mutual learning and growth.

Photo of Sarah Powell

Faculty Grant Awards – Sarah Powell

Associate Professor Sarah Powell will serve as PI and co-PI on two new grants that focus on educator-provided mathematics intervention for students in grades 4 and 5, and implementing a fraction intervention with students in grades 4-8.