Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12)

Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Overview

Every year, the need for special educators increases—both across North Carolina and throughout the country—as current teachers retire and as more special needs students are identified. By majoring in special education at Barton, you’ll be qualified to help meet this demand. You’ll also have the opportunity to obtain a second degree, as well as a second license, in elementary education. And you may take coursework that leads to North Carolina licensure in other areas as well.

Special Features

With Barton’s program in Special Education: General Curriculum, you’ll be licensed to teach pre-K to 12th grade. As part of your training, you’ll participate in various practica at all grade levels.

In addition to extensive practicum experience, you can choose from a range of electives offering focused learning opportunities in real-world settings. For example, in our Management Techniques for the Exceptional Learner class, you could study Positive Behavior Support techniques by spending part of a semester at a local elementary school with students who have behavior problems. And in our Teaching Learning Strategies to Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities class, an elementary school special education teacher brings students to Barton for specialized instruction in a certain curriculum area.

Course Information

Required courses for all special education majors include:

• Practicum: Introduction to Teaching
• Learners and Learning in the 21st Century
• Introduction to Exceptional Children
• Practicum: Human Growth & Development
• Curriculum Development
• Classroom Assessment
• Practicum: Reading Laboratory
• Elementary Reading
• Differentiated Instruction
• Inclusion of Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities in the General Classroom
• Management Techniques for the Exceptional Learner
• Collaboration and Consultation
• Methods and Materials for Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities
• Assessment in Special Education
• Special Education Methods
• Teaching Skills Lab
• Classroom Management
• Education Capstone
• Student Teaching

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Several scholarships are awarded to second semester juniors about to enter their senior year. These scholarships are open to all education majors.

During the senior year, the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Delta Pi awards a scholarship to the graduate deemed the outstanding student teacher.

The department also awards a number of other endowed scholarships to rising seniors each spring.

Internships

You’ll complete a series of practicum placements that culminate in one full semester of student teaching. Usually in your sophomore year, you’ll have a 15-hour practicum in an area school. That same year, you’ll also spend 24 hours observing and assisting in a classroom with children with special needs. In your junior year, you’ll spend 30 hours in a reading classroom. At the beginning of your senior year, you’ll spend one full day a week in your student-teaching placement. Your final semester is full-time student teaching in that classroom.

Career Opportunities

When you graduate from Barton, you’re fully qualified to teach special education. Our majors are employed as teachers in Wilson County, Wake County, Nash County, Johnston County, Mecklenburg County, and in various states.

You’re also prepared to enter graduate school in special education or other areas of education.

Clubs and Organizations

The Student Council for Exceptional Children Chapter gives you an opportunity to grow professionally and learn about other aspects of special-needs children.