Special Education, Adapted Curriculum, BS
About
Can you picture yourself helping students in a school setting? Are you interested in challenging yourself using critical thinking and problem solving to provide the best possible educational opportunities to students with special challenges?
The special education program area offers an exciting array of undergraduate, graduate, and licensure-only special education programs, both on-campus and through distance education (online and through SECU Partnership East). The BS in special education adapted curriculum (AC) requires foundations curriculum and professional courses, with an emphasis on effective teaching practices, authentic assessment, technology integration, and serving students with diverse learning needs and backgrounds. The BS in special education adapted curriculum leads to K–12 licensure.
The AC program prepares you to work with children with more significant cognitive disabilities who are pursuing an adapted curriculum. Program courses in AC provide a common core of the general knowledge and skills necessary for beginning teachers. Candidates in the special education AC program access a wide array of elective courses focused on related services such as social work, adapted physical education, recreation, sign language, or occupational therapy.
The special education program area works in partnership with the educational community in the development of these professional special educators. The special education program at East Carolina offers a rich combination of mentoring and course work coupled with extensive field-based practices to prepare you to teach students with special learning needs. You will learn about specific learning characteristics for students with disabilities, research-based instructional strategies and methods, and assessment practices designed to provide ongoing formative data for effective student learning. Along with early and ongoing field-based practicum courses, you will work closely with faculty, master teachers and university supervisors. That extensive educational experience means you will be empowered with the theory and the practice that will make you an expert in your field.
The ECU Advantage: Why Choose this Program?
Special education at ECU includes an active student organization, the Student Council for Exceptional Children. By joining the SCEC, members surround themselves with others who have a passion for serving their community and individuals with exceptionalities. The SCEC also provides opportunities for professional and personal development by gaining experience through working with individuals with exceptionalities through community events.
Special education at ECU includes the Irene Howell Assistive Technology (IHAT) Center which offers hands on experiences with the use of assistive technology integrated into all special education courses. The IHAT Center is dedicated to professional development, research, and service around assistive technology topics and issues.
ECU is the largest producer of special education graduates in North Carolina. Our alumni have gone on to enjoy successful careers in a variety of school settings, and many of them have received state and national awards for their service and expertise.
What You Will Study
The program requires a minimum of 120 semester hours. In addition to the general education requirements, students completed courses to fulfill professional studies, cognates and core requirements.
You can view the current course requirements in the undergraduate catalog.
How to Apply
Visit ECU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information on how to apply.
Additional resources:
Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students
ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.
If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.