DeSales to Offer New Special Education Major with PreK-12 Certification
DeSales University is bringing back one of its most popular education majors.
DeSales is one of the first colleges and universities in Pennsylvania to be approved by the state to offer an undergraduate major in special education with a PreK-12 certification.
The University phased out the major about 10 years ago, after the state changed certification requirements. Since then, it has offered a four-year early childhood education major with a graduate-level special education certification, which took five years to complete.
“Special education used to be one of our largest undergraduate majors. We’re really excited to bring this back because we can do it in four years.”
The first cohort is slated to begin in Fall 2020. Students will have to complete 170 hours of clinical field experience, as well as two, seven-week student teaching placements working with students with low incidence and high incidence disabilities.
“We’re looking for students who really feel a passion for working with students with exceptionalities,” says Blamey. “This program is going to have a lot of variety; they’re going to get a lot of experiences working with a wide range of students.”
Students with a special education degree can pursue a career as a classroom teacher, at an intermediate unit, or working with a non-profit. According to Blamey, everything from athletics to extra-curriculars and career readiness programs are looking to improve supports.
“Everything that I’ve read indicates that students are going to need more supports at all levels—from early childhood up through college—to be successful,” she says.
