Inclusion: Dual License in Special Education (K-6) & Elementary Education

Purdue University in West Lafayette

There is currently a severe shortage of qualified teachers in special education.

A degree in special education enables you to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Special education majors are eligible for dual licensure in the areas of special education: mild intervention and elementary education, which enables them to serve children who experience mild emotional, learning, or intellectual disabilities, as well as intense intervention in kindergarten through grade 6. In addition, graduates are eligible to teach elementary general education students at the kindergarten through grade 6 levels and are considered highly qualified in both special education and elementary education.

This dual program enables graduates to have teaching options in both general and special education classrooms - opening up more teaching opportunities.

During this program, you will learn to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), use assistive technology and develop instructional material and environmental modifications - all essential elements when teaching individuals with diverse needs.

Students who successfully complete all requirements of a teacher preparation program that is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Indiana Department of Education are eligible for licensure in the state of Indiana. Purdue has interstate licensing agreements with the other 49 U.S. states which means graduates will be able to teach in Indiana and any other state in the country.

Once licensed, a special education graduate is qualified to teach elementary general education children and children who experience mild emotional, learning, or intellectual disabilities in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public, private, or independent school.