Elon’s Special Education program is one degree with two majors. We currently offer the following:

Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (K-12)

Middle Grades Education (6-9) and Special Education (K-12)

Students in this program will collaborate with Elon faculty and teachers from local schools to learn the best ways to meet the needs of students with learning differences. Students majoring in a secondary education program can add-on the Special Education Add-on Licensure Track.

Candidates are prepared to teach students with high incidence disabilities including students with learning disabilities, attention disorders, emotional disturbance, intellectual disabilities and high-functioning autism in many educational settings (e.g. inclusion, resource and self-contained classrooms). They will be prepared to administer and interpret educational assessments, and use assessment data to guide instruction, and academic and behavioral interventions.

Clinical Experiences

The teacher education program emphasizes practical hands-on experience in classrooms as well as educational theory and pedagogy. Students enrolled in teacher education courses have the opportunity to work closely with the local schools and community agencies through a variety of partnerships. Candidates in the teacher education program participate in a variety of clinical experiences in diverse school settings. Early clinical experiences may include tutoring, observing, classroom assistance, small group instruction and, informal assessment, allowing candidates to continually connect their learning to what is experienced in the classroom. The culminating clinical experience for licensure candidates is a full semester of student teaching.

Graduation Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be eligible to receive dual licensure from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Our graduates teach and mentor students and adolescents with special needs in a variety of school settings. Our program focuses on researched based practices, faculty mentorship, and excellent field placements.

Upon successful completion of the dual licensure program and all licensure requirements, graduates are eligible for a North Carolina teaching license in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (General Curriculum K-12) or Middle Grades Education (6-9) and Special Education (General Curriculum K-12).