Academic Program

Special Education

Bachelor of Science Degree

As a field, special education provides direct and indirect services for individuals with disabilities. Some services provided by people in the field of special education include K-12 education, rehabilitation for occupational development and daily independence, community-based case management, disability advocacy, school and individualized consultation services and various other services related to individuals with disabilities and their families. Through education, community awareness and ecologically based service delivery, the focus of special education is to enhance and better the lives of all individuals with disabilities.

Freshman Admission Requirements

All incoming freshmen entering in the 2010-11 academic year must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Graduate in the top 10% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 17 ACT or 820 SAT
  • Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
  • Graduate in the top 60% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT

Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including: 

  • College preparatory English (4 units)
  • College preparatory math (3 units)
  • Science (2 units)
  • Social science (2 units)
  • Foreign language (2 units same language)
  • Fine arts (1 unit)
  • Additional units from above (2 units)

Advancement in all education programs consist of a two-step process. The first step is admission as an education major, typically as an entering freshman or transfer student. The second step involves application to the Professional Cohort, which occurs during the second year for all Early Childhood, Middle School or Special Education majors. Secondary Education students apply to the Professional Cohort during the third year. During the Professional Cohort, additional documentation must be submitted to faculty prior to placement in an internship.

Transfer Admission Requirements

All transfer students must have completed the high school course requirements listed above.

All transfer students must apply and be admitted to the college and, separately, to the professional cohort.

  • All transfer students must meet the GPA requirement of 2.7.
  • All transfer students who have accumulated more than 90 credit hours and who meet the transfer requirements must also apply to the professional cohort. (Students apply during the academic year prior to their cohort year.)

Application Information

Program Code: 18BSED-SPED

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall quarter - June 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.

Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall quarter - August 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.

Students applying for admission after closing dates may be referred to Raymond Walters College or Clermont College.

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that quarter.

Program Requirements

Duration

Full-time program duration: 4 years

Majoring Details

The special education program at the University of Cincinnati provides education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. Specific goals of the program vary by degree level. At the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels, the program is focused on educating teachers to use evidence-based practices and meet licensure requirements for K-12 intervention specialists. Specifically, program participants are required to complete course and field experiences to meet the prerequisites for mild to moderate and moderate to intense disability licensure. The master’s program is focused on providing teacher-leaders in the area of special education. At the doctoral level, the program is focused on providing leading scholars for service in academic careers.

Advancement in the program consists of a three-step process. The first step is admission to the college as an education student. The second step involves admission into the professional cohort, which occurs during the second year (i.e., sophomore status or its equivalent). For more information about the cohort selection process and criteria, please contact an academic advisor. During year two, education students who meet requirements for advancing in the program must attend a mandatory information meeting during fall quarter and in early winter submit a completed application for admission to the special education cohort that begins the following fall quarter. Enrollment is limited; admission is competitive.

Once admitted into the cohort, students take their professional education courses. During the third year, students also complete a practicum. The third step of the admission process occurs during this year. During the fall quarter of the third year, students must attend a mandatory information meeting. In late winter, students must submit a completed application for admission to the internship that begins the following fall quarter.

Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program requirements, students earn a bachelor's degree from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). After passing state required Praxis tests, students are eligible to apply for a state of Ohio teaching license (mild/moderate and moderate/intense) in special education.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

  • Complete all required course work and program requirements.
  • Attain at least a 2.8 grade point average.
  • Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
  • File formal application for the degree by the posted quarter of graduation deadline.

Accreditation

The educator preparation programs at the University of Cincinnati are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition, the special education program is accredited by the Council for Exceptional Children. This program has been determined to meet the Ohio reading mandate and is aligned with the Ohio content area standards.
Student Success Factors

Candidates who succeed in special education demonstrate:

  • a history of academic success;
  • the ability to collaborate with others, including those from diverse populations;
  • leadership characteristics;
  • responsible, caring, fair, honest and ethical behavior;
  • a commitment to social justice and a diverse society;
  • a history of good critical thinking and problem solving;
  • enthusiasm for working with children and adults with disabilities; and
  • a commitment to equity and the betterment of individuals with disabilities.
Career Possibilities
In general, graduates of the special education program work as intervention specialists (teachers) in various K-12 education settings, including schools, hospitals, vocational training facilities and other institutions providing educational services for individuals with disabilities. Some graduates of the special education program work as advocates and/or case managers for social agencies.

Core Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.Curriculum sheets for each combination of licensure areas are available by contacting the Undergraduate Student Services Center.

Opportunities

Formed as the Teachers College in 1905, the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services continually merits local, state and national recognition. Recent commendations include:

  • Special education program was recently ranked 10th in most productive research programs by the Chronicle of Higher Education
  • UC is one of 96 institutions across the United States ranked as a level 1 research institution (classification: RU/VH) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
  • Accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education
  • The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) was recently ranked 78 in U.S. News & World Report
  • The Best Practice Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) 
  • Consistently high scores by candidates on state-mandated licensure exams; our candidates have a 100 percent pass rate on the Praxis II licensure tests

In addition, the special education program provides small classes, talented faculty and extensive field clinical experiences.

Experiential Learning

Required teaching experience