Department of Special Education

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The Special Education Program at Lock Haven University is designed to address competencies required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). The program provides candidates with coursework and field experiences that address the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required by the Framework for Special Education Grades Pre K-8 and 7-12 Guidelines. Candidates choosing to pursue teacher certification in special education must also complete a major program of study in another teacher certification area.

The Disability and Community Service program combines course work in special education, social work and communication studies. The completion of this multidisciplinary curriculum prepares graduates to work as professionals serving individuals with disabilities in a wide array of public and private sector agencies and service providers, including Mental Health/Intellectual Disability (MH/ID) programs. Students who complete this program are prepared for employment as instructional assistants in public or private schools, as therapeutic support personnel, as job coaches, or in a wide array of capacities in MH/ID programs, community-based employment or living programs, early intervention programs, residential treatment programs, preschool/daycare programs, or other agency service providers for individuals with disabilities.