Students do work in tutoring and enrichment programs, then formal field work in the local public schools and community agencies, micro-teaching in the clinical lab and finally student teaching in the United States or overseas in Ireland or Mexico. That's quite a distinguished 37-year record. It's also not surprising that the national honorary society for special education was founded at Slippery Rock University. Our programs have earned national recognition for the quality performance of teachers who graduated and are now leaders in special education across the country. The primary focus in special education is preparing teachers to serve individuals K-12 who have intellectual, physical, behavioral or emotional challenges.
Most students choose to complete a second certification in elementary teacher education.
All programs in special education are experience-based. By graduation, students will have completed at least 200 hours of involvement in activities that include people with special challenges in a variety of settings. A minimum of 140 hours of practicum work precedes the student teaching semester in the U.S., Ireland or Mexico.