Two people pose for a photo at Kent's Fest at CU-Lock Haven in 2017.

Special Education

  1. Academics
  2. All Programs
  3. Special Education

The Special Education program is designed to prepare you for certification to teach students with disabilities from PreK-12.

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.S.Ed.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
Department
College
Program Contact
Chair of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Exceptionality Programs, Associate Professor
Illustration of Mountain

Students who complete the program with certification have the opportunity to student teach in public schools, intermediate units, approved private schools, preschools, etc. Multiple field-based experiences are also available through advanced sequence coursework and practicum placements. Student teaching assignments are located within select PA counties.

MEd Special Education student standing at a whiteboard

Program Overview

  • Customize your education and create additional career options through a selection of minors and certificates like Child Life Specialist (minor and certificate), Educational Technology (minor), Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness (certificate), ESL (minor and certificate), and Dual Certification programs.
  • Students have the opportunity to substitute teach after completing 60 credits.
  • Includes specialized training in non-academic barriers (social, emotional and mental health, suicide prevention) through the McDowell Institute for Teacher Excellence.
  • Students gain over 150 hours of school-based experiences prior to Student Teaching.
  • Courses are taught by faculty — not graduate assistants—with extensive experience in PK-12 schools as teachers, supervisors, principals, curriculum directors, and superintendents.
  • Continue your climb in one of our graduate programs like the M.Ed. Reading, M.Ed. Special Education, M.S. School Counseling, or M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction. Our graduate programs can enhance your existing skills and knowledge as an special education major, increase your earning power, and prepare you for a leadership role in your field.
Illustration of Mountain

The Student Experience

Awards and Recognitions

The Special Education program at Commonwealth University has continuously received national recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children.

Field Experiences

One of the unique aspects of the Special Education program at CU is the vast amount of field experience hours that are embedded into the course sequence. Special Education majors at CU participate in a wide variety of field experiences beginning in their freshman year.  By their senior year, pre-service candidates will have gained 100 hours of experience in the schools prior to starting student teaching placements.

High Impact Experiences

When pre-service candidates enter their senior year, they culminate their degree with a semester-long student teaching experience. For dual majors in SPEC/ PreK-4, student teachers will have one placement in general education (PreK-4) and one placement in special education (PreK-12).

Clubs and Organizations

Best Buddies: is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC): is a student organization aligned with the professional organization, Council for Exceptional Children. SCEC provides valuable interactions to learn from and to teach students with exceptionalities. This includes multiple volunteer events and organized meetings that provide information on current and popular topics in special education. SCEC actively engages with Special Olympics and other community organizations.

Trinity Learning Community: is a collaborative endeavor developed by parents, adults with disabilities, CU, and Columbia County Corporation that addresses the critical need for housing options and creative support for adults with disabilities. Our efforts have resulted in a unique housing opportunity that directly improves the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, provide learning experiences for university students, and enhancing our community.

Facilities

Pre-service candidates who enroll in the Special Education program at CU have the opportunity to actively engage in technology-equipped classrooms to empower their instructional skills as future educators.  In addition, students are given access to dedicated hands-on learning materials, such as assessment kits and manipulatives, in order to effectively prepare instructional designs for PreK-12 students.

The Uncommon Difference

CAEP logo
CAEP Accreditation
CAEP accreditation ensures we prepare new teachers to know their subjects, their students, and have the critical training that allows them to enter the classroom ready to teach effectively.
96%+
Employment Rates
Opportunities exist for education majors to substitute teach in local school districts after completing 60 credits while pursuing their undergraduate degree.

Careers

There remains a growing demand for special education teachers, particularly in rural and inner-city school districts. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the overall demand will continue to be driven by increasing enrollment and a continued need for special education services.

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Teacher/Caseload Manager
  • Behavior Specialist/Interventionist
  • Early Intervention Specialist
  • Educational Consultant

Continue to Explore

Klohe Faatz '22

In high school I worked with a kindergarten class every morning and that was when I realized that it was my goal to become a teacher. I loved spending time with the students and watching them learn throughout the year. I chose early childhood education, because I think it's important students get a positive impact at a young age to create a positive school career.

Klohe Faatz '22
Early Childhood and Special Education
Kylie Garmin

"Being part of the Special Education program at Lock Haven has been such an awesome experience. The professors are super supportive and always there to help, and the hands-on opportunities have really prepared me for the classroom. I’ve learned so much about working with students with different needs, and I feel confident and excited to make a difference in their lives."

Kylie Garmin '26
Early Childhood & Special Education
Cole Neff '20 (left) sits in front of the Husky statue with his wife.

I've been prepared through observations, practicum experience, and student teaching. I've seen many different environments of teaching, all different than the next. All environments have inspired me to become the best educator I can, all thanks to Bloomsburg.

Cole Neff '19
Early Childhood and Special Education
Jenna Beiter '21

Bloomsburg's education program prepared me to be the teacher I aspire to be by ensuring experience in the classroom from freshman year through senior year. It's been incredibly beneficial to observe and participate in various classroom settings over the years as well as learn 'behind the scenes' tips from these amazing educators.

Jenna Beiter '22
Early Childhood and Special Education
Megan Canfield '22

Bloomsburg's education program has helped prepare me in more ways than I could've ever hoped. The program got me into classrooms from the very first semester and has showed me what the best educators look like. I feel more confident than ever, especially after the Danville Practicum, to not only enter student teaching but also to enter the field after graduation.

Megan Canfield '22
Early Childhood and Special Education
Kylie Garmin
Cole Neff '20 (left) sits in front of the Husky statue with his wife.
Jenna Beiter '21
Megan Canfield '22
Klohe Faatz '22
McDowell Institute

McDowell Institute

The McDowell Institute is dedicated to supporting the facilitation of social, emotional, and behavioral wellness of children, youth, and young adults across school and community settings. This mission is accomplished through training, technical assistance, and information dissemination.

Learn More

Meet the Faculty

Maureen Walsh

Maureen Walsh

  • Chair of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Exceptionality Programs, Associate Professor
  • Bloomsburg
drogan

Robin Drogan

  • Graduate Program Coordinator of Exceptionality Programs
  • Bloomsburg
260x300-Brooke-Lylo

Brooke Lylo

  • Associate Professor of Special Education
  • Bloomsburg
CommonwealthU University Employee

Kayla Mohney

  • Associate Professor of Special Education
  • Lock Haven

Applying to This Program

Apply

  • Application Process

    Review the step-by-step process whether you're a first-year student, transferring to CU, or more.

  • Apply Now

    By starting your application, you gain access to your personalized application portal to view your progress.

  • Scholarships

    As the largest comprehensive university in north central and northeastern Pennsylvania, CommonwealthU works hard to provide a world-class education that consistently rates among the best values in the nation.

Explore More