Special Education (B.A.)

FAST FACTS ›

  • By passing the PRAXIS tests for elementary education, students may add an endorsement to the special education certification to teach in elementary education.
  • Our student teaching internship exceeds the state’s certification requirements.
  • Our students exceed the state’s minimum requirement for field hours before student teaching.
  • Our students meet requirements for highly qualified status as a special educator as defined under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
ABOUT.

A major in special education prepares you to be a professional who works with students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades pre-K through 12. Our program focuses on research-validated instructional and assessment practices. You’ll have practical applications from your first classes through your senior year. Field experiences will provide you with opportunities to work with children and adolescents who have learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders and intellectual disabilities. These experiences occur across various placement settings, including both elementary and middle/high school levels, which allows you to apply your knowledge and skills in real-life situations. In the last year of the program, the practical experiences culminate in a two-semester sequence of field-based training under the mentorship of school and University supervisors. 

CLASSES.

What you'll study:

You’ll learn about formal and informal assessment strategies, IEP planning and implementation, and principles of effective lesson design and delivery across content areas. During the third year of the program, your courses will focus on characteristics/procedures for learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities and autism, as well as early intervention and educational assessment. You’ll also take general education methods courses in teaching reading, science and social studies.

During the final year of the program, your special education courses will focus on teaching reading and mathematics to students with disabilities, managing behavior and addressing the needs of students at the secondary level. Our program emphasizes carefully sequenced and supervised field experiences, which address students with disabilities at different ages and abilities and within numerous public school educational settings.

You’ll spend 10 hours in the field in early intervention as a sophomore and approximately 30 hours in conjunction with courses offered during the third year of the program. More than 160 hours are associated with the senior-year field experience. The spring semester of the final year in the program includes a full-time, 12-week student teaching placement in a public school. You’ll also present an electronic portfolio highlighting major performance assessments across the program and your accomplishments in clinical teaching during the field experiences and student teaching. 
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

The Eugene T. Moore School of Education is committed to providing all students with purposeful, challenging and diverse experiences. It is through a range of carefully constructed, challenging and classroom-based instruction and field-based experiences that students recognize the inherent dignity and value of all individuals, promote equity in education and advocate on behalf of children, families and communities.

Internships and Research Projects:

RESEARCH:
Clemson’s Creative Inquiry program provides you a chance to participate in undergraduate research projects with our special education faculty.
CLEMSONLIFE:
ClemsonLIFE™ Program provides a college-campus postsecondary experience for students with intellectual disabilities. Clemson students serve as LIFEmentors who assist the program’s students in reaching their potential.
JOIN:
This student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children, affiliated with the International CEC, promotes positive outcomes for individuals with disabilities and organizes an annual Special Olympics for local Oconee and Pickens counties.
BASEBALL:
The community-based Clemson Challenger League Baseball program serves children with physical and/or mental disabilities. Player participation and development are key elements, as well as improving fitness, self-esteem and social skills.
TOPSOCCER:
Become a “buddy” for the community-based TOPSoccer program, which serves children with physical and/or mental disabilities.
HONOR:
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society dedicated to scholarship and excellence in education. Clemson’s Mu Upsilon chapter is the oldest chapter in the state and fosters mutual cooperation and professional growth.

Connect with Other Students:

CAREERS.

What are students doing at graduation?*

40%

Employed

32%

Grad School

28%

Seeking Employment

0%

Other

Where are students headed at graduation?*

Recent employers and job titles*

  • Alston Middle School — Special Education Teacher
  • Harford County Public School System — Special Educator
  • Dorchester School District 2 — Special Education Teacher
  • Florence School District 1 — High School Teacher

Recent graduate schools and sought degree types*

  • Clemson University — Master’s
  • Mercer University — J.D.

Common Career Areas**

  • Pre-K through 12th grade
    • Teaching
    • Administration
    • Special Services
      • Reading
      • Title 1
      • Guidance Counseling
      • School Psychology
      • School Social Work
      • Occupational and Physical Therapy
      • Audiology and Speech Pathology
      • Library/Information Services
      • Curriculum Supervision
      • Subject Area Supervision
*Represents only Clemson University graduates who completed Michelin Career Center surveys from 2009 to 2011.
**Used w/permission from Univ. of Tennessee.
FIND OUT MORE.

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact as well as our admissions office.

Antonis Katsiyannis, Special Education Coordinator
864-656-5114 — antonis@clemson.edu