Education - Special Education, Bachelor of Science

This program is designed for candidates preparing for careers serving children and youth with disabilities. This program prepares candidates to be special education teachers at the elementary or secondary level. The preparation meets or exceeds the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) initial level special educator preparation standards for special education teachers.

Other Information

Praxis II Content Test

All educator preparation candidates are required to receive a passing score on the Praxis II content test in each endorsement area of their preparation prior to being awarded initial teacher certification through the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).

This link will take you to the ETS website page for the Nebraska Department of Education requirements. The page lists the Nebraska requirements for each endorsement area.

Student Organizations

Allies for Sign Language

The main objective of this organization shall be to unite members and community for the purpose of fellowship, friendship and promote academic achievement; act as a resource to attract and retain deaf and hard of hearing students; provide a basis for cultural exchange among the Deaf students and the hearing students; advocate for accessibility; further the understanding of Deaf culture throughout the world; promote discussion of current trends and issues relating to deaf education; as well as provide social activities that include members of the deaf community.

For more information contact Julie Delkamiller by email at jdelkamiller@unomaha.edu or Jonathan Scherling via email at jscherling@unomaha.edu.

Student Council for Exceptional Children

Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is an organization that is dedicated to advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The student chapter is associated with the International Council for Exceptional Children. For more information contact Dr. Lisa Epp at lepp@unomaha.edu or Dr. Apryl Poch at apoch@unomaha.edu.

Contact

512 Roskens Hall
6005 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0054
402.554.2201

Website

Elementary (K-6) Requirements

Elementary (K-6) candidates are required to take the following special education courses:

Courses Required for Major (Core Curriculum)
SPED 1500INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION3
SPED 2300SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS3
SPED 3020DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE: ROLE IN TEACHING LEARNING PROCESS3
SPED 4000PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION3
SPED/COUN 4010MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: RISK FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS3
SPED 4150READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES3
SPED 4230LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FOR TEACHERS3
SPED 4640METHODS AND MATERIALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION3
SPED 4710INTERACTIONS AND COLLABORATION3
SPED 4720CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION12
SPED 4810BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS3
Required Related Coursework
KINS 4150ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THEORY AND PRACTICE3
TED 3350TEACHING AND ASSESSING READING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS6
TED 4330TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS: ELEMENTARY3
TED 4340TEACHING OF SCIENCE: ELEMENTARY3
MTCH 2000MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I3
MTCH 2010MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS II3
Educator Preparation Program Required Courses
TED 2100EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS3
TED 2200HUMAN RELATIONS FOR BIAS-FREE CLASSROOMS3
TED 2300HUMAN GROWTH AND LEARNING3
TED 2400PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING6
Total Credits78

Secondary (7-12) Requirements

Secondary (7-12) candidates are required to take the following special education courses:

Courses Required for Major (Core Curriculum)
SPED 1500INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION3
SPED 2300SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS3
SPED 3020DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE: ROLE IN TEACHING LEARNING PROCESS3
SPED 4000PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION3
SPED/COUN 4010MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: RISK FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS3
SPED 4150READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES3
SPED 4230LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FOR TEACHERS3
SPED 4640METHODS AND MATERIALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION3
SPED 4650TRANSITION PLANNING3
SPED 4710INTERACTIONS AND COLLABORATION3
SPED 4720CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION12
SPED 4810BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS3
Required Related Coursework
KINS 4150ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THEORY AND PRACTICE3
MTCH 2000MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I3
MTCH 2010MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS II3
TED 3550SECONDARY CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT3
TED 3690LITERACY AND LEARNING3
TED 4660YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE3
Educator Preparation Program Required Courses
TED 2100EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS3
TED 2200HUMAN RELATIONS FOR BIAS-FREE CLASSROOMS3
TED 2300HUMAN GROWTH AND LEARNING3
TED 2400PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING6
Total Credits78

For more information and a complete listing of program requirements visit the website

Candidates must have satisfactorily completed all required coursework prior to clinical practice.

A minimum grade of "C" must be earned in all certification requirements, endorsements, and concentrations.  All grades of incomplete and any grades below "C" in these specific requirements must be removed prior to clinical practice.   Candidates are responsible for contacting their advisor regarding said grades.

For courses in this major/ endorsement that require a grade of C or higher, CR/ NC is not permissible.

Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in order to be eligible for clinical practice.

Sign Language Interpreter

Related Coursework (9 hours)
PSYC 1010INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I3
PSYC 2500LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY3
PSYC 4590PSYCHOLOGY OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN3
ASL Development Requirements (26 credits)
SPED 1110
SPED 1114
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I
and AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I LAB
4
SPED 1120
SPED 1124
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II
and AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II LAB
4
SPED 2110
SPED 2114
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III
and AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III LAB
4
SPED 2120
SPED 2124
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV
and AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV LAB
4
SPED 3110
SPED 3114
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE V
and AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE V LAB
4
SPED 2200DEAF STUDIES3
SPED 3100ENGLISH/ASL COMPARATIVE LINGUISTICS3
Interpreting Development Requirements (44 credits)
SPED 2100PROFESSIONALISM & ETHICS OF INTERPRETING3
SPED 3120ACADEMIC INTERPRETING3
SPED 3130COMMUNITY INTERPRETING3
SPED 3140DISCOURSE ANALYSIS AND SOCIOLINGUISTICS FOR INTERPRETERS3
SPED 3150COGNITIVE PROCESSING IN ASL AND ENGLISH3
SPED 4180INTERPRETING IN SPECIALIZED SETTINGS3
SPED 4310VOICE-TO-SIGN3
SPED 4320SIGN-TO-VOICE3
SPED 4110SIGNED ENGLISH AND OTHER SYSTEMS3
SPED 4240TEACHING/INTERPRETING LANGUAGE TO DEAF/HARD OF HEARING5
SPED 4740EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETING PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR6
SPED 4760COMMUNITY INTERPRETING PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR6
Total Credits79

Grade requirements in Sign Language Interpreting program

Grade of "C-" or better required in General Education Courses and electives. "C" or better is required in Related Coursework, ASL Development and Interpreting Development. The advanced writing course also requires a "C" or better.

GPA requirements in Sign Language Interpreting Program

Students must maintain a 2.75 minimum GPA to remain in the major.  Once students pass ASL 2, SPED 1120/SPED 1124, a 2.75 GPA is required to meet course prerequisites.

Education - Special Education Bachelor of Science

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallCredits
ENGL 1150 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I 3
MATH 1120
INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
or COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT
3
CMST 1110 PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS 3
Social Science 3
Attend Welcome Week events; other campus events
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
Note: ENGL 1150, ENGL 1160, CMST 1110 or 2120, and approved math (Quantitative Literacy) course should be taken and passed in the first academic year
 Credits12
Spring
ENGL 1160 ENGLISH COMPOSITION II 3
Natural/Physical Science with Lab 4-5
SPED 1500 INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
Humanities and Fine Arts 3
Humanities and Fine Arts 3
Advising appointment for fall: February - March
Join a student organization. Consider joining Student Council for Exceptional Children.
Make a plan to take the Praxis Core
MUST establish 2.5+ NU GPA (by end of summer courses) in order to enroll in TED 2100 & TED 2200 for fall semester
 Credits16-17
Sophomore
Fall
TED 2100 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS 3
TED 2200 HUMAN RELATIONS FOR BIAS-FREE CLASSROOMS 3
Social Science 3
Humanities and Fine Arts with Global Diversity 3
Elective for Degree 3
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
Identify professional organization to get involved with. Begin resume development.
Apply to Educator Preparation Program Oct. 1 deadline
 Credits15
Spring
TED 2300 HUMAN GROWTH AND LEARNING 3
MTCH 2000 MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I 3
NAtural/Physical Science 3
*Elective for Degree 3
*May be taken any summer or semester before clinical practice
Advising appointment for fall: February - March
Elective for Degree 2
 Credits14
Junior
Fall
TED 2400 PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING 6
MTCH 2010 MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS II 3
SPED 2300 SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS 3
KINS 4150 ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THEORY AND PRACTICE 3
SPED 4230 LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FOR TEACHERS 3
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
MUST attempt PRAXIS Core by January 10th and have 2.75 minimum NU GPA to progress in Educator Preparation Program.
 Credits18
Spring
SPED 3020 DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE: ROLE IN TEACHING LEARNING PROCESS 3
SPED 4640 METHODS AND MATERIALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 4000 PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 4710 INTERACTIONS AND COLLABORATION 3
SPED 4810 BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS 3
Advising appointment for fall: February - March
 Credits15
Senior
Fall
TED 3350 TEACHING AND ASSESSING READING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 6
TED 4330 TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS: ELEMENTARY 3
TED 4340 TEACHING OF SCIENCE: ELEMENTARY 3
SPED 4150 READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 3
SPED 4010 MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: RISK FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS 3
Take Praxis II- SPED #5354
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
Apply for clinical practice at beginning of fall term.
 Credits18
Spring
SPED 4720 CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 12
Apply for graduation
 Credits12
 Total Credits120-121

This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult an advisor in your major program for further guidance.
This plan is not a contract and curriculum is subject to change


Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements
: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year. Information based on 2023-2024 University of Nebraska at Omaha undergraduate catalog.


Placement Exams: For Math, English, Foreign Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php


**Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study


GPA Requirements:
2.5 minimum GPA to remain in College of Education, 2.5 minimum GPA to apply to Educator Preparation Program, 2.75 minimum GPA to progress in Educator Preparation Program


# Professional education course: a grade of C or higher is required to pass the class


Graduation Requirements: 2.75 minimum NU GPA

Sign Language Interpreter

Road Map designed to start in odd year (2023, 2025, etc.). Road Map will be different if starting in even year (2024, 2026, etc.)

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallCredits
Odd
ENGL 1150 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I 3
SPED 2200 DEAF STUDIES 3
SPED 2100 PROFESSIONALISM & ETHICS OF INTERPRETING 3
SPED 1110 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I 3
SPED 1114 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I LAB 1
Quantitative Literacy 3
Attend Welcome Week events; other campus events
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
Join a student group, such as Allies for Sign Language
 Credits16
Spring
Even
ENGL 1160 ENGLISH COMPOSITION II 3
CMST 1110 PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS 3
SPED 1120 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II 3
SPED 1124 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II LAB 1
PSYC 1010 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I 3
Humanities and Fine Arts with Global Diversity 3
Advising appointment for fall: February – March
 Credits16
Sophomore
Fall
Even
SPED 2110 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III 3
SPED 2114 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III LAB 1
SPED 3150 COGNITIVE PROCESSING IN ASL AND ENGLISH 3
Humanities and Fine Arts 3
Social Science 3
Natural/Physical Science with Lab 4
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
Identify professional organization to get involved with. Begin resume development
 Credits17
Spring
Odd
SPED 2120 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV 3
SPED 2124 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV LAB 1
PSYC 2500 LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY 3
ENGL 2400
ADVANCED COMPOSITION
or WRITING FOR THE WORKPLACE
or INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING
3
Elective 3
 Credits13
Summer
Odd
SPED 3110 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE V 3
SPED 3114 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE V LAB 1
SPED 4110 SIGNED ENGLISH AND OTHER SYSTEMS 3
Advising appointment for fall: February - March
 Credits7
Junior
Fall
Odd
SPED 4180 INTERPRETING IN SPECIALIZED SETTINGS 3
SPED 4310 VOICE-TO-SIGN 3
Humanities and Fine Aarts 3
Natural/Physical Science 3
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
 Credits12
Spring
Even
SPED 3130 COMMUNITY INTERPRETING 3
SPED 4240 TEACHING/INTERPRETING LANGUAGE TO DEAF/HARD OF HEARING 5
PSYC 4590 PSYCHOLOGY OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN 3
SPED 3140 DISCOURSE ANALYSIS AND SOCIOLINGUISTICS FOR INTERPRETERS 3
Elective 1
Advising appointment for fall: February - March
 Credits15
Senior
Fall
SPED 3120 ACADEMIC INTERPRETING 3
SPED 4740 EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETING PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR 6
Social Science 3
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
 Credits12
Spring
Odd
SPED 3100 ENGLISH/ASL COMPARATIVE LINGUISTICS 3
SPED 4320 SIGN-TO-VOICE 3
SPED 4760 COMMUNITY INTERPRETING PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR 6
Apply for graduation
 Credits12
 Total Credits120

This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult an advisor in your major program for further guidance.


This plan is not a contract and curriculum is subject to change.


Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements:
The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year. Information based on 2023-2024 University of Nebraska at Omaha undergraduate catalog.


Placement Exams: For Math, English, Foreign Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
**Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study


GPA Requirements:
2.5 minimum GPA to remain in College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, 2.5 minimum GPA to apply to Educator Preparation Program, 2.75 minimum GPA to progress in Educator Preparation Program


# Professional education course: a grade of C or higher is required to pass the class


Graduation Requirements: 2.75 minimum NU GPA