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Program Advisors: Dr. Rebecca Yunker Salveson

Program Outcomes:   

• University of Mary students who complete the major in Special Education meet eligibility requirements for the North Dakota Intellectual Disabilities (Mental Retardation) endorsement for K12 schools. The University of Mary's coordinated course of study meets the state guideline which requires the special educator to attain a general education teaching major as well as a major in special education. The program also provides a basis for graduate study in emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, or special education strategist.
  
• In today's K12 schools, students with disabilities are served by general education teachers, special education teachers, and other school personnel. In order to support and coordinate service to students with disabilities, the special educator must be competent in:characteristics of disabilities, federal and state special education law, collaboration and consultation, general school curriculum, behavior support, assessment, family school relations, and applied research and writing.
  
• Special education majors will have knowledge and skills that meet the Common Core of Knowledge and Skills, the Individualized Education Curricula, the Developmental Disabilities Curricula of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the endorsement standards for the state of North Dakota.
  
• Special education majors develop personal and professional skills and attitudes that prepare them for a variety of career options supporting people with disabilities in schools, human service agencies, adult education, community-home support, and administration.

Special Education Major Course Requirements:  

PED 313; PSY 406; EDU 332, 383, 388, 392, 409 or 656, 410, 412 or 595, 413 or 645, 415 or 657, 426, 429, and two semester credits of special education electives.  

Special Education Minor Course Requirements:  

EDU 295, 383; at least four semester credits from the following: PED 313; EDU 332, 388, 391, 392, 410, 670, 576; and at least five semester credits from the following: EDU 409 or 656, 412 or 595, 413 or 645.  

Note: A minor in Special Education does not lead to a North Dakota endorsement; however, the content and practices involved in a Special Education minor will be valuable to general education teachers and may be valuable to other human service majors such as occupational therapy and/or social work.