The Teacher Education program is based on the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and the 21st century knowledge, skills, and dispositions embedded therein. A defining feature of the program is its cohort model, which creates a collaborative and supportive learning community as candidates move through the program together. The Teacher Education Program provides an integrated academic experience of quality educational programs, a supportive learning environment, and individual growth opportunities that promote the total development of the teacher education candidates.

A shortage of Special Education teachers in North Carolina and across the country currently exists. Graduates will have numerous job opportunities from which to choose. Our future teachers gain the ability to navigate the changing landscape of special education laws and procedures.

The support given by the highly qualified and experienced teaching staff makes this degree path stand apart from others. Experts in the areas of learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, and other physical and cognitive impairments teach the courses.

All teacher candidates are required to complete a 16-week, full time student teaching internship under the supervision of a qualified clinical teacher and university supervisor. In this experience, teacher-candidates will apply their content and pedagogical knowledge in the professional field.

Upon graduation, students may be qualified for a teaching certificate. Specific assessments may be required to attain teaching licensure.

The Braswell Teaching Scholarship, funded by the Jessie Dail and Walter Vernon Braswell Scholarship Endowment, provides a scholarship renewable annually up to three years. Scholarship amounts vary.