Special Education

The Department of Educational Specialties houses the Special Education program. This academic program provides courses in foundations, theory and practice in working with children and youth who have disabilities and their families. The program offers undergraduate degree programs in special education and an innovative integrated elementary/special education program; master's degrees leading to various Nevada teaching endorsements in special education; professional degrees for those who want to earn a post-baccalaureate endorsements in special education without a graduate degree; and doctoral study to those who aspire to be scholars and leaders in the field.

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.

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

• Faculty are research-active and involved in unique projects and funded grants. Current funded grants include the Nevada Dual Sensory Impairment Project, Project TEESET, and Project Lead-RR. 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 Regents' Graduate Academic Advisor Award, 2007). 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 offer many courses using a hybrid format with three Saturday classes and the remainder on-line. Each semester and summer we also offer courses completely on-line. This enables graduate students from throughout Nevada and Northern California to take courses leading to special education endorsements.
• We provide advanced students with opportunities for college teaching, conducting research, and supervision of preservice teachers.
• Financial incentives are available for those seeking Nevada teaching endorsements in special education and in integrated elementary/special education

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate

Special Education

Integrated Elementary/Special Education

Master's Degrees

Master of Education in Special Education (non thesis option)

Master of Arts in Special Education (thesis option)

With program plans in:

• Generalist mild to moderate disabilities (K-12)
• 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)

Doctoral Degrees

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:

• Tammy Abernathy, Associate Professor
• Ann Bingham, Assistant Professor
• Christine Cheney, Professor and EDS Department Chair
• MaryAnn Demchak, Professor
• Bob Ives, Associate Professor
• Peggy Polczinski, Field-Based Faculty
• Stephen Rock, Professor and Director of the Nevada UCED
• Shanon Taylor, Assistant Professor
  
  

Current projects and centers related to special education:

• Nevada Dual Sensory Impairment Project
• Project Lead-RR Nevada
• Project TEESET (Technology Enhanced Education for Special Education Teachers)
• Nevada University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
  

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.

For more information about the academic programs in Special Education, consult the degree program pages on this web site or contact:

Department of Educational Specialties