Special Education Program

Mission Statement

The mission of the Special Education Program at UHCL is to prepare our candidates to be highly skilled teachers and leaders in the field of Special Education. The mission is accomplished by:  

• Disseminating research-based theory and best-practices,  
• Collaborating with individuals with exceptional learning needs, educators, parents, and agencies,  
• Promoting service, advocacy, and leadership in the field of special education,  
• Celebrating and fostering inclusion, diversity, independence and multiculturalism,  
• Accepting professional and personal responsibility.

Program Objectives

Our program aligns with the following CEC Standards:  

• Beginning special education professionals understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities.
• Beginning special education professionals create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination.
• Beginning special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
• Beginning special education professionals use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.
• Beginning special education professionals select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
• Beginning special education professionals use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession.
• Beginning special education professionals collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences.

About the Program

The UHCL College of Education is proud to provide multiple degree options for individuals considering special education as a career or who want to learn to differentiate to the needs of diverse learners. Possible routes to certification include getting a:

• B.S. with a Special Education Certification
• MS with a Special Education Content Focus
• MS in Early Childhood Education with Focus on Young Children with Disabilities
• EDLS with Special Populations Specialization
• Minor in Special Education

Program Faculty