Playwork takes center stage during a special education project on campus

Special Education (PK-12) and Early Childhood (PK-4) Dual

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Students enrolled in special education have the opportunity to student teach in public schools, intermediate units, approved private schools, preschools, state centers, adjudicated environments and hospitals. Student teaching assignments are located within several select counties neighboring Bloomsburg.

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.S.Ed.
Department
College
Program Contact
Chair of the Department of Exceptionality Programs, Associate Professor
illustration of Carver Hall

Intensive pre-student teaching experiences are also available through advanced sequence coursework and professional development schools. To meet Pennsylvania teacher certification requirements, special education majors must have six credits of:

  • College level mathematics
  • College level English comprised of composition and literature

Requirements for the major include professional education course work and field based experiences leading up to (prior to) student teaching.

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Courses and Curriculum

Special Education (PK-12)

Early Childhood Dual (PK-4)

*Please see the CU degree requirements effective Fall 2023. All enrolled students can also review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion in Degree Works.

Bloomsburg University requires a minimum of 40 hours of general education coursework and General Education Points. Most general education courses are prescribed to meet teacher certification requirements in a time efficient manner.

Prescribed coursework is required for dual certification in Special Education (PK-12) and Early Childhood Education (PK-4). This includes credit hours earned through the student teaching experience. Incoming freshmen as well as internal and external transfer students into the program are required to enroll in the Department of Exceptionality Programs’ Orientation to Special Education course (one credit).

General Ed. Requirements

Please refer to the program sheets.

Professional Education Courses

Please refer to the program sheets.

• AUDSLP.432 ELL: Comm/Educational Strategies or PROFSTUD.494 ESL Strategies/Methods
• CSD.432 ELL: Comm/Educational Strategies or PROFSTUD.494 ESL Strategies/Methods
• EDFOUND.291 Principles of Teaching
• EDFOUND 406 Multicultural Educ
• PROFSTUD.414 Child, Family, & Community Engagement
• ELEMED.121 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• ELEMED.331 Teaching Science/Env Education PK-4
• ELEMED.334 Teaching Reading EC 1-4
• ELEMED.336 Teaching Social Studies EC PK-4
• ELEMED.340 Teaching Math EC 1-4
• PROFSTUD.347 Play & Expressive Arts for the Developing Child
• ELEMED. 410 Methods/Materials ECE
• SPECED.099 Co-curricular Experience
• SPECED. 100 Orientation Spec. Ed.
• SPECED.101 Introduction to Individuals with Exceptionalities
• SPECED.202 Technology for Individuals with Exceptionalities
• SPECED.206 Introduction to Early Intervention
• SPECED.275 Linking Assessment/Instruction
• SPECED.358 Methods of Instruction
• SPECED.410 Autism Spectrum Disorder Seminar
• SPECED.417 Behavior Intervention and Support
• SPECED.430 Instructional Practices PK-8 (Mod/Sev)
• SPECED.433 Literacy Instruction
• SPECED.446 Assessment Practicum
• SPECED.449 Assessment and Planning
• SPECED.450 Instructional Practices PK-8 (Mild)
• SPECED.488 Student Teaching I
• SPECED.489 Student Teaching II
• SPECED.461 Student Teaching Seminar

*Please see the BL degree requirements for students who were enrolled prior to Fall 2023 and remained in the BL Program.  All enrolled students can also review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion in Degree Works.

Minor Details

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Bloomsburg Because

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: provides information and opportunities not only for special education duel major but students interested in working with exceptional children. Our organization provides valuable interactions to learn form and to teach students with exceptionalities. This includes multiple volunteer events and organized meetings that provide information for current and popular topics in special education. SCEC is active in Special Olympics in the Town Park and provides child care at monthly meetings for parents of children with autism

Trinity Learning Community: is a collaborative endeavor developed by parents, adults with disabilities, BU and Columbia County Corporation that addresses the critical need for housing options and creative supports for adults with disabilities. Our efforts have resulted in a plan to create a unique housing opportunity that will directly improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, provide learning experiences for university students and enhance our community. The plan involved the conversion of the former Trinity Church into housing units for individuals with disabilities and housing for BU students in two adjacent homes.

The Husky Difference

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation is one of only two nationally recognized accrediting bodies for educator preparation
Accreditation
CAEP accreditation ensures we prepare new teachers to know their subjects, their students, and have the clinical training that allows them to enter the classroom ready to teach effectively.
96% +
Employment Rates
Additionally, our education majors can substitute teach in local school districts after completing 60 credits while pursuing their undergraduate degree.
College of Distinction for Education
College of Distinction
Bloomsburg has earned national recognition as a College of Distinction for its education programs, honored for its quality and high-impact teacher preparation.

Special Education Deep Dive

Be the teacher who inspires your students to greater heights

Megan Canfield
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Megan Canfield '22
Special Education
What inspired me to pursue special education?
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Dinangeli Diaz '24
Special Education
Megan Canfield
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Megan Canfield '22
Special Education
Megan Canfield

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
Early childhood elementary education major ready for graduation

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.

Cassidy Larkin '21
Early Childhood and Special Education
Jenna Beiter

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
Klohe Faatz

In high school I worked with a kindergarten class every morning and that was when I realized 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
Early childhood elementary education major ready for graduation
Jenna Beiter
Klohe Faatz
Megan Canfield
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.

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.

McDowell Institute

Special Education Contacts

Robin Drogan

Robin Drogan, Ph.D.

  • Graduate Program Coordinator of Exceptionality Programs, Associate Professor

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