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Special Education

Undergraduate

B.S.Ed. Early Childhood/Special Education

Many employment opportunities exist in the state of Pennsylvania and throughout the country in pre-school special education programs. The School of Education offers a program of study which will provide students interested in working with students with special needs dual certification in special education and early childhood education. Students completing this program are qualified to teach in special education programs (K-8) and early childhood programs from pre-K to Grade 4, as well as in special education infant stimulation and pre-school programs. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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B.S.Ed. Middle Level with Special Education: Language Arts/Reading Concentration

A Bachelor of Science in Education in middle level with special education, language arts/reading concentration, teaches the joy of language and reading to students of varied skill sets in Grades 4-8. Graduates of this program may teach in public, private, parochial, magnet, charter and online school settings. Students will complete the bachelor's portion of their degree and add a fifth year to earn the M.Ed. in special education. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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B.S.Ed. Middle Level with Special Education: Mathematics Concentration

A Bachelor of Science in Education in middle level with special education, mathematics concentration, teaches the skills and various applications of mathematics to students of varied skill sets in Grades 4-8. Graduates of this program may teach in public, private, parochial, magnet, charter and online school settings. Students will complete the bachelor's portion of their degree and add a fifth year to earn the Master of Education in special education. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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B.S.Ed. Middle Level with Special Education: Science Concentration

Science teachers are in high demand as are teachers who can meet students where they are academically. The Bachelor of Science in Education in middle level with special education, science concentration, is a five-year plan for earning the middle level science concentration teacher certification as well as K-8 special education. Candidates who complete all program requirements earn both a B.S. Ed. and an Master of Education. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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B.S.Ed. Middle Level with Special Education: Social Studies Concentration

A Bachelor of Science in Education in middle level with special education, social studies concentration, combines teaching world cultures, politics and geography to students in Grades 4-8 of varying skill sets. This certification enables graduates to teach all subjects in an elementary classroom Grades 4-6, as well as social studies in Grades 4-8 in public, private, parochial, magnet, charter and online school settings. Students will complete the bachelor's portion of their degree and add a fifth year to earn the Master of Education in special education. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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B.S.Ed. Special Education

The Department of Special Education has developed a certification program designed to go beyond meeting the standards set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and thoroughly prepare graduates to meet the needs of all learners. This program incorporates evidence-based practices with an emphasis on reading and math instruction as well as applied behavioral analysis and ensures that graduates are prepared to teach a variety of learners with disabilities, at risk for disabilities, and those with reading disabilities in grades PreK-12 (ages Birth – 21). The B.S.Ed. Special Education prepares individuals to sit for the examinations required by PDE for special education certification. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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Minor in Diagnosis & Intervention Strategies for Students with Mathematical Disabilities

The minor in diagnosis and intervention strategies for students with mathematical disabilities is designed to provide educators in-depth knowledge of students with specific learning disabilities, as well as a variety of alternative methods to meet the instructional needs of students with disabilities or at risk for academic failure in mathematics. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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Minor in Disability Studies

The notion of disability is an increasingly important aspect for many careers. Jobs related to human resources, education, social work, psychology, social policy, urban planning, software development, criminal justice and more must take into account the diversity of the populations they serve and be prepared to consider issues of accommodations, inclusion, and accessibility. Students enrolled in the disability studies minor will take an initial course describing the aspects and conditions of disability followed by a course that focuses on the relationships between disability and various societal perspectives; for example, political, cultural, and social. The remaining courses will use other disciplines to examine disability such as literature or philosophy. Students with such an interdisciplinary background in disability studies will have a crucial skill set desired by employers. Students with this minor will be better prepared to work with a wide variety of people and build skills in creating inclusive, accessible settings, promote greater awareness of the experiences of people with disabilities, and advocate for social change. Graduates find career opportunities in psychology, social service delivery and social work, social policy, counseling, health fields, human resources, education, politics, criminology, recreation management, and more. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

Minor in Special Education

The minor in Special Education is designed for those individuals who want more information about service delivery for students with disabilities but do not want certification. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

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Certificates And Certifications

Assistant Applied Behavior Analysis and Competent Learner Model Certificate

This five-course online certificate program will prepare students to be certified Competent Learner Model implementers and provide course work required to be eligible to sit for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst exam. This certificate will develop knowledge in the areas of curriculum design, applied behavior analysis, professional and ethical standards, and the CLM. This certificate program is offered only online.

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Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analyst and Competent Learner Model

This seven-course online certificate program will prepare students to be certified Competent Learner Model implementers and provide course work required to be eligible to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam. This certificate will develop knowledge in the areas of curriculum design, applied behavior analysis, professional and ethical standards, single subject design, and the CLM. This certificate program is offered only online.

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Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has developed requirements for an autism spectrum disorders endorsement for certified school personnel who hold Level I and Level II teaching certificates. This endorsement will be an addition to the school personnel’s existing Level I and Level II certificates and will be issued by the PDE upon application to all personnel who complete application and successfully complete the required coursework. The required 12 hours of graduate level coursework includes classes in autism spectrum disorders, advanced applied behavior analysis, collaboration and cooperation, and advanced methods for persons with autism and severe disabilities. This program is offered only at the Clarion campus.

Graduate Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education

The following program is a PDE approved endorsement. The 18-credit gifted and talented endorsement at Clarion University is designed to aid schools and educators in enhancing opportunities for their students. Successful candidates will receive a letter of completion from Clarion University and will be eligible to receive the gifted and talented endorsement from PDE. Candidates may complete the gifted and talented endorsement program as a component of a Master of Science degree. This program is offered completely online.

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Last Updated 5/26/23