BA Special Education with added Elementary Education Endorsement

The need for highly qualified, culturally and linguistically responsive special education teachers is on the rise in Colorado and the nation. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that nearly 280,000 special education teaching positions will need to be filled over the next decade (2016). The Special Education track of CU Denver's bachelor's degree in Education and Human Development prepares students to step into these roles and address the exceptional learning needs of individuals ages five to 21.

The Special Education program combines cutting-edge research with real classroom experiences. You will learn from faculty who are locally, nationally and internationally recognized for their research and innovation. They will provide you with critical knowledge and interventions to teach students with exceptional learning needs. You will be able to apply your new knowledge through frequent, powerful hands-on classroom experiences, and benefit from the advantage of our rich 20-year history of school and community partnerships.

The program is designed to enhance your ability to effectively support diverse, urban students with disabilities in K-12 public schools and alternative settings. Faculty members will foster your growth as a teacher and educational leader who promotes inclusion and equity for all. This program strives to help you:

• Gain a holistic understanding of special education
• Collaborate with schools and communities
• Engage in culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and leadership

A unique feature of this pathway is that you will be able to add the Colorado Department of Education's elementary endorsement to your credentials. Essentially, you'll leave this program with both the Special Education License and Elementary Education Endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education. This means you are prepared to teach Special Education AND K-6, making you highly employable and desirable to schools!

Students in this track have the opportunity to apply for the Bachelors to Masters Program (BAMA) during their junior year. The BAMA allows students to take 9 credits of their professional year program at the graduate level and apply them to one of 8 MA degrees in the SEHD.