Special Education

special education

WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?

This major is part of the Education Exploration Group

Education Program Website

The Comprehensive Special Education Program prepares prospective teachers of students with disabilities in grades pre-K-12. Students complete general education requirements, a 39-credit subject area major that includes a single subject (English, Mathematics or Science) plus a second concentration and required courses in professional education.

Declaration, Major Requirements, and Courses

HOW TO DECLARE:

APPLICATION REQUIRED. Applicants MUST complete 54 credits of undergraduate coursework by the end of the spring semester prior to their official admission to the program. Strong GPA and interview required. Find more information and the application here.

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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

Major Requirements Overview

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HELPFUL INTRO COURSES:

Click here for full course descriptions

EDCI 2100 - Power, Privilege, and Public Education

UNIV 1820 - FYE Seminar (Education for Social Change)

PSYC 1100 - General Psychology 1 (Major Requirement)

HDFS 1070 - Individual and Family Development  (Major Requirement)

Possible Career Opportunities

COMMON CAREER PATHS:

UConn students who major in Special Education often pursue careers teaching children with disabilities in grades pre-K-6.  

Special Education majors also pursue careers outside the classroom setting. Common examples include but are not limited to careers in:  

- Advocacy
- Art/music/play therapy
- Assistive technology
- Behavior analysis
- Career or vocational coaching
- Case management
- Counseling or therapy
- Disability services
- Early intervention services
- Education administration
- Education consulting
- Learning and development
- Occupational therapy
- Special education coordination
- Speech therapy 

                    COMMON AREAS OF GRADUATE STUDY:

                    Special Education majors who go on to pursue graduate studies pursue a wide variety of master’s, and/or doctoral degrees based on their interests. Common examples include but are not limited to degrees in: 

                    - Communication science and disorders
                    - Educational psychology
                    - Occupational therapy
                    - Special education
                    - Speech-language pathology 

                    ADDITIONAL CAREER RESOURCES:

                    For additional examples of careers and graduate studies that UConn alumni have pursued, visit the UConn alumni search on LinkedIn. 

                    For further insight into education-related careers beyond the journeys of UConn alumni, visit Zippia or “What Can I do with this Major?”.