Special Education
Thank you for visiting the Special Education page. Let us know if you still have questions after exploring this page and its links. At UNR, Special Education is housed in the Department of Educational Specialties.
Make a difference! Challenge yourself!
You can choose from our many programs:
Worried about how you will pay for your education? You might qualify for federal assistance. You can find information about TEACH grants and about the federal loan forgiveness program for special education teachers through UNR's Financial Aid and Scholarships Office or at http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/secletter/060301a.html and http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/TEACH.jsp. Financial aid information is available at the UNR Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
What is Special About Special Education at UNR?
The special education program can provide you with exciting educational and research opportunities, whether you are interested in becoming a teacher, improving and expanding your skills as a teacher, or assuming a leadership role in a university, school district, or agency. We will help you prepare to meet the needs of all learners, ages birth through school-age and beyond, as well as provide supports to their families.
Program Highlights
- You can take many GRADUATE courses that are fully on-line or in a hybrid format with three Saturday classes and the remainder on-line. This enables you to join students from throughout Nevada and Northern California in taking the courses leading to special education endorsements.
- Faculty are research-active and involved in unique projects and funded grants. Current funded grants include the Nevada Dual Sensory Impairment Project, Project TEESET, Project Lead-RR, and Project EXCEL. Bob Ives is involved in various teaching and research projects in Romania (including a 2008 Fulbright Fellowship).
- Several of our faculty and graduate students have won awards for outstanding instruction and/or student advisement at UNR: Christine Cheney (The Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award, 2002; The Regents' Undergraduate Academic Advisor Award, 2001), Tammy Abernathy (runner-up for the Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award, 2008); and MaryAnn Demchak (The UNR Graduate Academic Advisor Award, 2006). Doctoral student, Ginny Beck won the Distinguished Teaching Assistant Award for 2008.
- A unique collaborative program with the Washoe County School District enables us to include Field-Based faculty in our program. These highly effective special education teachers work with us on a three-year basis to link teacher candidates to current special education policies and practices and to supervise them in local educational sites. Peggy Polczinski is our current field-based faculty member in special education.
- We have a nationally recognized integrated elementary-special education program, discussed in Blanton, L. P., & Pugach, M. C. (2007). Collaborative Programs in General and Special Education: An Action Guide for Higher Education and Policymakers.
- Our teacher preparation programs are accredited by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), one of the most rigorous accrediting bodies in the United States.
- We provide advanced graduate students with opportunities for ASSISTANTSHIPS that may include college teaching, collaborating with faculty research, and/or supervising preservice teachers. More information
Degrees Offered
- Special Education Major (with Nevada Endorsement in Mild-Moderate Disabilities, K-12)
- Integrated Elementary/Special Education Major (with Nevada Endorsement in Elementary Education AND in Mild-Moderate Disabilities, K-12)
- Master of Education in Special Education (non thesis option)
- Master of Arts in Special Education (thesis option)
With program plans in:
- Generalist program in mild to moderate disabilities (K-12), including a program for those seeking a first teaching license (guidebook)
- Serious emotional/behavioral disorders (K-12)
- Learning disabilities (K-12)
- Moderate to profound mental retardation/multiple disabilities (K-12)
- Autism (K-12)
- Early Childhood Special Education/ Early Intervention (birth through age 8)
- Individually developed program planned to match your interests
- Ph.D. in Special Education and Disability Studies
- Ed.D. in Special Education and Disability Studies
Faculty and Projects in Special Education at UNR
Alphabetical listing of faculty:
Current projects and centers related to special education:
Mission of the Special Education Program
Our goal is to serve individuals with special needs and their families through the preparation of outstanding educators, service providers, and researchers. We conduct research that develops and supports evidence based practices. Our passion for the profession is evident through our service to local communities and agencies as well as professional organizations at the state, regional and national level.
How Can I Support Special Education at UNR?
There are a variety of ways to support students or faculty in the Special Education program. For more information about support, please contact Mitch Klaich, Director of Development in the College of Education.
If you need more information about the academic programs in Special Education, consult the degree program pages on this web site or contact:
Department of Educational Specialties
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