School of Special Education
The School of Special Education offers one of the most comprehensive training programs for special educators (undergraduate, master's, doctoral) in the nation. UNC is the only institution in a six-state region that offers degree programs in special education in all areas of exceptionality. Special programs associated with special education include the Summer Enrichment Program for the Gifted and Talented, the Bresnahan-Halstead Center on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and the Kephart Memorial Child Study Center and an annual symposium in Vail, Colorado featuring renowned speakers.
Faculty in Special Education are nationally recognized, have published in their respective areas, presented papers at prestigious conferences and have many of their publications translated into several foreign languages. Numerous program and research grants provide support for professional development and student scholarships at the graduate levels.
American Sign Language — English Interpretation B.A.The American Sign Language-English Interpretation program is an online (with summer onsite requirements) baccalaureate degree program that prepares majors to provide competent interpreting services between individuals who are deaf and use ASL as their primary means of communication, and individuals who are not deaf and do not know sign language. Graduates of this program will be prepared to interpret in a range of low-risk settings with professional autonomy and be work- and/or certification-ready.
For degree and program requirements, see:
American Sign Language – English Interpretation B.A.
The curriculum consists of recommended Liberal Arts core requirements, courses in professional teacher preparation, courses in special education theory, practice, and pedagogy and courses in Liberal Arts Core content to ensure teachers have the breadth of knowledge needed to be a special education teacher. Strong emphasis is placed on literacy and mathematics in both Liberal Arts Core requirements and content area coursework. Students are required to take technology courses; and the use of technology is incorporated into the special education coursework. The program is organized around nine themes including individual differences (disabilities, culture, and language), interpersonal/collaborative skills, direct instruction, legal responsibilities/processes, organizational/systemic processes, behavioral management, knowledge and access of resources, inquiry skills, and implementation of special educator roles. Topics emphasized within these themes include normal developmental learning, general assessment concepts, foundational characteristics of disabilities, service delivery models, and technology.