Special Education licensure program debuts this fall

Special Education licensure program debuts at EOU

July 29, 2021LA GRANDE, Ore. –This fall, students in Eastern Oregon University’s College of Education may be able tomajor in Special Educationfor the first time, putting them on track to graduate with a state-approved license and go directly into classrooms where their expertise is in high demand.

“There’s a shortage of SpEd teachers in the U.S., and especially in rural Oregon,” said EOU Education Professor Jerred Jolin, who helped design the new curriculum. “I’m enthusiastic about this project. I’ve been trained in this field and have firsthand experiences with the positives of helping students with learning differences be successful in the classroom.”

The on-campus program stacks neatly on top of two years of core coursework, making it easy for transfer students to apply credits from a community college and earn a bachelor’s degree in two years.

“Getting the licensure at the undergraduate level is the most efficient way to do it,” Jolin said. “It basically replaces 1.5 years of a graduate program.”

学生在大三和大四期间参加实习，然后在项目的最后一年进行为期15周的教学实习。蔡依林解释说，提供多种实践经验可以让学生探索广泛的特殊教育环境，如资源室、生活技能教室、有行为挑战的学生教室、or academic interventions with math or reading.

“The placements show a range of special education classroom experiences,” he said. “This program ensures students get a general education because there are K through 12 students with disabilities.”

While it spans the breadth of ages and needs, EOU’s program prioritizes special education in a rural environment. Practicums and student-teaching placements will be located in Eastern Oregon. Jolin said schools in less populated areas and small communities tend to have the highest demand for special education teachers.

“We’re the only program like this in the eastern part of the state,” he said. “We plan to focus on the unique challenges of being a SpEd teacher in rural settings.”

EOU’sCollege of Educationboasts four faculty members with doctorates in special education, and plans are in place to hire an additional professor.

The Special Education program is awaiting final approval from regional accrediting authority NWCCU. Learn more ateou.edu/special-education.