Associate Professors Kaka and Noble, Assistant Professors Kang and Deitz
The Ohio Wesleyan University teacher preparation program in Special Education aims to produce competent and passionate teachers dedicated to meeting the needs of all students in today’s schools. As more students with disabilities are supported in inclusive classroom settings, there is great need for knowledgeable and highly skilled Intervention Specialists who are able to assist the student and their family to achieve the highest quality of life possible. The program at OWU strives to prepare special education teacher candidates who have the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary to work collaboratively with students, families, general education teachers, and related services personnel. At OWU, preservice teachers can obtain a special education license in either Inclusive Elementary Education (Grades PK-5) or Special Education Mild/Moderate Intervention (Grades K-12).
Preservice special education teachers pursue their general liberal arts education requirements while taking foundational education courses. Once accepted into the education program, preservice teachers will take a carefully sequenced set of discipline-specific courses and accompanying field experiences to prepare them for the roles and responsibilities of working in special education. Preservice teachers will pursue in-depth study of educational theory, evidence-based instructional strategies, assessment of student learning, and differentiated support for academic and behavioral goals. In addition, preservice teachers will engage in collaboration and facilitation of educational teams during field placements, as well as exploration of legal and ethical standards for the profession. Coursework includes an emphasis on strong reading and literacy instruction, subject specific methods courses, classroom and behavior intervention, collaboration, and assessment. The culminating experience for preservice teachers is a 15-week student teaching placement with a fully licensed, experienced Intervention Specialist with supervision from both university faculty and experienced educators.
Ohio Wesleyan offers programs preparing students for teacher licensure at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels. Candidates working toward the Elementary Education, Inclusive Elementary Education, Middle Childhood Education, Special Education, Integrated Science, or the secondary content areas will pursue an OWU major in Education. Candidates pursuing Music Education will complete the Multi-age Education minor.
