Useful Links:
Appalachian State has long been recognized as an outstanding teacher preparation institution, and Special Education is one of the College’s strongest programs. Graduates are regarded by North Carolina educators as well-trained and are readily hired to teach special education in public and private schools.
Our undergraduate program prepares future teachers to work with students with disabilities. Completion of this degree leads to certification in either Special Education: General Curriculum K-12, or Special Education: Adapted Curriculum K-12, depending on the concentration chosen. Students must choose one of the concentrations (General Curriculum K-12, or Special Education: Adapted Curriculum K-12). A student may elect to complete both concentrations, with the understanding that additional coursework will be required.
The General Curriculum concentration will prepare students to teach students in grades K-12 who will likely be expected to complete the general curriculum requirements for career prep, college/tech prep, or college prep diploma from the North Carolina Public Schools. These would include students with learning disabilities, mild mental retardation, emotional/behavioral disabilities, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, and others.
The Adapted Curriculum concentration will prepare future teachers to teach students in grades K-12 who will likely require more significant modifications and adaptation in order to access the general curriculum, and may not be candidates for career prep, college/tech prep, or college prep diploma from the North Carolina Public Schools. These would include students with mental retardation, emotional/behavioral disorders, Autism, other health impairments, and others.
Included in the degree requirements for both concentrations are two internships and a 15-week student teaching placement. All students majoring in special education will be placed in one of the following school districts for all field based activities: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Mitchell, Wilkes, or Watauga County.
A comprehensive portfolio is required which demonstrates students’ competency at meeting the state certification requirements. The portfolio is an on-going project which is added to as the students progress through the program/courses. The portfolio will be finalized during student teaching. The student teaching experience will include five on-campus seminars to assist students in meting these requirements.
The Special Education Program is proud of the close faculty-student cooperation. Students pursuing the Special Education major will have the opportunity to grow as people and develop their unique abilities. Special Education is a dynamic profession and hopefully this information will assist you in making the decision to choose it as your career field. It is important to note that currently there is a shortage of Special Education teachers in North Carolina and around the country. Each of our graduates has numerous job options from which to choose.
