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Special Education

Do you want to make a positive impact on the lives of students with special needs?

With a degree in Special Education from 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÆØÁÏ, you can. Not only will you have a strong foundation in basic and special education methods, but you’ll also have the real-world experience to make a difference as soon as you enter a classroom of your own. The Special Education program through the College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Teaching and Leading prepares students for a fulfilling career in education.

Special Education is for you if you consider yourself

Creative and Expressive
Helpful and Nurturing

 

Learning

like no

other.

Want to learn more about the Special Education program at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÆØÁÏ?

Request Info

Teaching and Leading

Dr. Nai-Cheng Kuo

706-737-1496

What You'll Study

Coursework

In the Special Education program, you’ll take courses in general classroom management while also learning the techniques and methods for educating students with communication disorders and disabilities. You’ll also have opportunities for classroom observation before your full semester of student teaching.

Course List |  | Prerequisites & Deadlines

Experience-based Education

Outside the Classroom

The Inspiring Men of Color initiative responds to the lack of racially diverse educators — particularly male educators — by providing inspiration and motivation to attract minority males into the field of education.

Partnerships with local schools allow partner school faculty to co-teach classes that provide the latest information regarding changes in standards as well as county and state initiatives, keeping you up to date and well informed.

The Induction Collaborative helps local school districts support our graduates during their first years as teachers, ensuring new teachers receive the advice and assistance they need to feel comfortable in the classroom.

 

Research & Innovation

Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, you’ll have opportunities to create your own research projects or work with faculty to tackle some of the world’s most complex and pressing challenges.

 

Professional Learning

Educators never stop learning, and our wide variety of professional learning opportunities — from workshops to conferences to certifications and courses — ensures our students, faculty, staff and alumni are always exposed to the latest techniques and information.

 

Military Friendly

Through counseling and referral services, the Troops to Teachers program assists transitioning service members and veterans with pursuing a career in education.

 

Clubs & Organizations

Student organizations are an important part of learning and support, and we’ve got a lot of them, from honor societies to kinesiology clubs to a student ambassador program, where select students represent the college to incoming freshmen.

Your Future

Career Options

With a Special Education degree, you leave college with the knowledge and experience to teach students with special needs in grades prekindergarten through 12.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for Special Education teachers is $61,820 per year.

Student smiles at a desk in a classroom

Why 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÆØÁÏ?

Continuing support after graduation makes those first few years in the classroom less stressful and more successful.

Partnerships with local schools mean your hands-on classroom experience is mentored by master teachers invested in your success.

Opportunities for engagement with like-minded students and experts in the field maximize your preparation and increase your level of success.

A man in a suit and tie stands in a large foyer of a college building.

Rory Tannebaum named chair of Department of Teaching and Leading 

"I want to connect people so they know who’s in their department and who might be able to mentor them. It’s about connecting people and ideas," says Rory Tannebaum.

group of people holding a paw

‘We are AU!’ Class of 2029 welcomed at Freshman Convocation

“Convocation invites our students to become part of our AU family and establishes a sense of belonging on the front end of college," says Elizabeth Huggins, EdD.

Five women and two men jump and raise their hands in celebration.

AU contributed over $1.6 billion to Georgia’s economy in FY 2024

The annual report gives a snapshot of the impact the USG provided to the state and breaks down the numbers per institution.

Many college-aged students since inside a building smiling and waving.

Meet 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÆØÁÏ’s Class of 2029 

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÆØÁÏ welcomes the Class of 2029, the largest incoming class to date.

Learning Like No Other

The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÆØÁÏ College of Education and Human Development is committed to being a relevant, responsive, and respected institution with a keen focus toward high impact work in the community. Our faculty, students, and alumni are committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities through the comprehensive study and effective practice of education.