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We see you making a difference in the lives of children with a bachelor of science in Special Education. This degree program, open to students in both the traditional Undergraduate Women’s College and the School of Adult and Graduate Education, prepares students to deliver exceptional teaching to special needs students from grades PreK-12. 

The demand for skilled Special Education teachers continues to increase. At Cedar Crest, we help prepare students to meet this demand head-on by learning to be culturally responsive teachers, to instruct with appropriate pedagogical strategies to meet the needs of special education students and to become collaborative members of an educational team.   

Our distinctive curriculum includes: 

  • Early and ongoing field experience under the supervision of a college Special Education faculty member and Special Education mentor in the school district 
  • 14-week student teaching component in the final semester observed on a consistent basis by a faculty member 
  • 4YG advising assures traditional undergraduate women can complete the program in 4 years 
  • The opportunity to transition into our 4+1 M.Ed. program (Undergraduate Women’s College students only); Adult learners can work with their advisor to continue their education in the M.Ed. program. 

The Special Education field is a high-need area across the country.  Graduates of this program have enjoyed tremendous job placement rates. Learn how to advocate for students with diverse needs both inside and outside the classroom and become a leader in this high-demand field of education. 

High-achieving students may be approved to pursue the ESL certificate during their undergraduate years, preparing them with even more marketable skills. 

Dive A Little Deeper

Graduation Requirements

Special Education Major with Teaching Certification Pre-K – 12

Liberal Arts Curriculum and General Education (PDE) Requirements

WRI 100 College Writing (WRI-1) 3 credits
WRI-2 satisfied in major with SPE 241 The Exceptional Child
ENG 101, 102, or 120 American or British Literature (HUM) 3 credits
Humanities Elective: US History Course Recommended (HUM) 3 credits
MAT 202 Mathematics for the Early Childhood Educator (ML) 3 credits
Math Elective: MAT 110 Probability & Statistics Recommended (ML) 3 credits

Ethics LAC 3 credits

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (SS) 3 credits
Social Science Elective (SS) 3 credits
DNC 209 Creative Movement and Embodied Learning (ART) 3 credits

Art Elective (ART) 3 credits

Science Elective w/lab (SCI) 4 credits

Science Elective (No Lab) (SCI) 3 credits

CCC 206 Sophomore Experience or other GS course (GS) 3 credits

First Year Experience (Traditional Students Only) 4 credits

FYS 1XX First-Year Seminar 3 credits
CCC 101 College Life 0.5 credits
CCC 102 Exploring Your Future 0.5 credits

Electives: 18 credits

Total credits for LAC /PDE requirements and electives: 62 credits

Required Education and Special Education Courses:

EDU 100 Foundations of American Education 3 credits
EDU 102 Educational Psychology 3 credits
EDU 151 Field Experience I 1 credit
SPE 241 The Exceptional Child: Special Education Process 3 credits
SPE 245 Field Experience II 1 credit (co-requisite SPE 241)
SPE 250 Subject Area Content Access 3 credits
ECE 207  Literacy Teaching and Learning (Pre-K to Grade 5)or EDU 211 Teaching Writing 3 credits
SPE 220 Evidence-Based Approaches (pre-req SPE 241) 3 credits
EDU 214 Reading in the Content Area 3 credits
EDU 359 Teaching the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Student 3 credits
SPE 310 Intensive Reading, Writing, and Mathematics 3 credits
SPE 315 Autism: Evidence-Based Practices 3 credits
SPE 333 Data-Driven Decision-Making: Screening, Assessment & Evaluation 3 credits
SPE 344 Adaptations, Modifications, and Assistive Technology 3 credits
SPE 347 Evidence-Based Approaches for Students with Emotional Disorders 3 credits
SPE 348 Low Incidence Disabilities 3 credits
SPE 355 Field Experience III: Special Education 1 credit
SPE 356 Field Experience IV: Special Education 1 credit

Student Teaching

SPE 375 Student Teaching: Special Education 9 credits
EDU 374 Professional Education Seminar 3 credits – must be taken with SPE 375
EDU 374 Professional Education Seminar 3 credits – must be taken with SPE 375

Total Special Education Major Credits = 58 credits

Total Major Credits = 120

Please note:

  • Students may not be enrolled in any other courses during their student teaching semester.
  • Students must complete the above courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • To officially declare the Special Education major, students must successfully complete 48 credits, and meet Basic Skills Testing requirements when applicable. As of the time of this document (April 2023) basic skills testing requirements have been waived for all students who formally declare the education major through July 8, 2025. Please note that testing requirements are subject to change by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) at any time.
  • A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all education courses.
  • Students who are not proficient in oral/written communication in the English language as determined by classroom performance and the evaluation of cooperating mentor teachers in Field Experiences may be required to take additional courses to meet basic competencies in English communication.

Students may pursue the Special Education major in the accelerated 3-year degree format, completing at least 120 credits in three years (with summer study) rather than the standard four. Please see the catalog section on “3-Year Bachelor Degree” programs for details.

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Cooperative Agreements

Cedar Crest College collaborates with several academic institutions to provide our students with innovative pathways that help them succeed in their chosen fields.

Cedar Crest Accounting Students in the Classroom

How To Apply

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Cedar Crest student smiling on campus

Accreditation

Cedar Crest College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801

Faculty & Staff

Who’s teaching you is as important as the curriculum you choose.
Let’s put a face to some of the names you’ll be seeing on the course listings!

Sarah Fields

Sarah Fields

Office Manage/Coordinator of Field and Studen
Curtis Hall 223
Phone: 610-606-4666 (x3422)
Melissa Kamyab

Melissa Kamyab

Assistant Professor, Department Chair
Curtis Hall 228
Phone: 610-606-4666 (x4566)
Ivonne Miranda

Ivonne Miranda

Assistant Professor, Supervisor of Field & Student Teaching, Director of Graduate Program
Curtis Hall 225
Phone: 610-606-4666 (x3616)
Jill Purdy

Jill Purdy

Professor
Curtis Hall 226
Phone: 610-606-4666 (x3419)

Julie Borden
B.S. Special Education; Elementary Education Concentration, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
M.Ed. Reading, Kutztown University

Lynn Fuini-Hetten
B.S. Elementary Education, Kutztown University
M.S. Elementary Education; Instructional Technology Certification, Kutztown University
Principal Certification, Penn State University
Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, Wilkes University

Valerie Gulych
B.S. Psychology, Penn State University
M.S. Education, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Special Education Supervisory Certification, Penn State University
Principal Certification, CLIU 21

Deborah Hartman
B.S. Special Education and Elementary Education, Kutztown University
M.S. Special Education, Kansas State University

Donna Hibshman
B.S. Certification in Mentally/Physically Handicapped, Bloomsburg University
M.Ed. Certifications in K-8 General Education; Reading Education, Lehigh University

Michelle Johnston

B.S. Computer Science, Kutztown University
M.Ed. Master of Education, DeSales University
ESL Program Specialist Certification, DeSales University
M.A. Educational Leadership and Administration, Lehigh University
Principal Certification, Lehigh University

Leah Naylor

B.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., New York University

Kelly Rosario

B.S. Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, Bloomsburg University
M.S. Educational Leadership; K-12 Principal Certification, Wilkes University

Diana Schantz

M.S. Education Technology, DeSales University
Principal Certification, Penn State University

Amanda Strack

B.A. Criminal Justice; Political Science, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
M.Ed. Master of Education, DeSales University
M.A. Educational Leadership and Administration, Lehigh University

Melinda Watkins

B.S. Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education, Kutztown University
M.S. Education, West Chester University
Middle Level Math Certification
Reading Specialist Certification, Cedar Crest College

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