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Special Education

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

Special Education/Educación Especial
#8 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 7th among publics and 8th 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 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.
Learn more about our Undergraduate Program
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.
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About the Department

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

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Helping Your Kid With…

Educational experts at the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk (MCPER) have created videos to help parents and guardians use effective practices to teach students at home due to COVID-19. Videos will be posted regularly, so be sure check the MCPER page often to get the latest information.

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Sarah Powell Earns Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

The Special Education associate professor is one of just 11 recipients from Texas and one of five from The University of Texas at Austin.

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La Introducción de un Nuevo Curso de Autismo en Español

Department of Special Education Introduces Undergraduate Course on Autism Taught in Spanish

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Postbaccalaurate Special Education Teacher Certification

The department now offers a three-semester (10-month) program designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university. Completion qualifies students to take the required state certification examinations (TExES Special Education EC–12).

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