Special and Inclusive Education Major

Prepare for inclusive classrooms. Broaden your expertise. Teach where you're needed.

If you’re ready to make a real impact in the classroom, the bachelor’s degree in special and inclusive education at the University of Northern Iowa is your path forward.

This major gives you the depth, focus and hands-on experience needed to lead students of all learning abilities as a special education teacher in special education classrooms and general education classrooms. You’ll build strong expertise through engaging coursework, early and ongoing clinical experiences and mentorship from expert faculty — all within the foundation of Iowa’s leading teacher preparation program.

When you complete this degree, you'll qualify for licensure in three Iowa endorsements:

Instructional Strategist I (Mild/Moderate, K–8)
Instructional Strategist I (Mild/Moderate, 5–12)
Instructional Strategist II (Intellectual Disabilities, K-12)

For a discipline with ongoing demand, that's good for you and for your future school districts!

student teacher at desk with student with headphones on

Co-Teach

Extensive opportunities in inclusive classrooms

99%

Nearly 100% placement of recent grads

Once I got into my special education field experiences, I realized it was the perfect place for me to be. I'm now graduating from UNI with a job already lined up as a K-3 special education teacher and I am so beyond excited."

Emily Heagel

'23 BA, Elementary special education teacher, Central Springs CSD

Courses, Endorsements & Careers

Courses

Coursework prepares you to teach and lead in inclusive general education and special education classrooms. You'll gain clinical experiences in the field specific to special and inclusive education for multiple age levels in addition to coursework regarding legal, advocacy and assistive technology practices. A sampling of courses includes:

Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners
Services to Families with Children with Developmental Delays or Disabilities
Including Children with Special Needs into the General Education Programs
Introduction to Special Education: Legal, Advocacy, and Assistive Technology Practices and Issues
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Differentiated & Intensive Methods in Literacy & Mathematics
Construction and Behavior of Humanistic Supports
Specialized Assessment and Instruction for Students with Disabilities
Creating and Sustaining Positive Inclusive Learning Environments
Method courses in literacy and mathematics (K-8) or inclusive learning (5-12)

Endorsements

The major in special and inclusive education meets the requirements to qualify for three endorsements in Iowa:

Endorsement 260 Instructional Strategist I Mild/Moderate Disabilities, K-8 (#260)
Endorsement 261 Instructional Strategist I Mild/Moderate Disabilities, 5-12 (#261)
Endorsement 264 Instructional Strategist II Intellectual Disabilities, K-12 (#264)

You will apply for your teacher licensure and endorsement approval upon completion of your degree.

Careers

This major gives you flexibility in leading the classrooms that fit your interests and school district needs. Examples of careers this major and advanced education can lead to include:

Instructional strategist
Special education director
Reading specialist
IEP case manager
Instructional coordinator
Curriculum developer
Assistive technology specialist

For Special & Inclusive Education Majors

Content Minors

By adding a minor in a general education content area like math or reading, you expand your capabilities to teach in a school district, particularly in collaborative settings.

Math Teaching Minor (K-8)

Literacy Education Minor (K-8, 5-12)

Beyond the Classroom

Let's Get Real

The high quality of UNI’s special and inclusive education major is anchored in clinical experiences in the field to help you meet the needs of students from various cultural and language backgrounds and/or with disabilities. Count on two internships and student teaching with experiences specific to this major:

K-8 and 5-12 grade levels to meet endorsement requirements
Varied classroom environments, working with students of different ages and abilities in special and general education settings.
Learn and do as you pair methods (how to teach) courses specific to this major and your internships during the same semester.
Professional development school. Take methods classes from UNI faculty on site at local schools and then work with kids in K-12 classrooms.

Student with teacher in small study group

Finding Support

Several focused scholarships are available as well as numerous general scholarships for UNI or College of Education students, including:

Mildred H. Wood Elementary/Special Education Scholarship
Alice Suroski Special Education
Dr. Gary M. Clark & Patricia Sitlington Endowed Scholarship
Melvin and Viola Reimer Endowed Scholarship

Awards vary; most offer up to $1,000 a year and are renewable. Easy next step: fill out the Universal Scholarship Application for undergraduate students. And be sure to check out other loan and student employment opportunities.

Scholarships & Assistantships

Student teacher working with two students in class

Council for Exceptional Children

Be part of the Council for Exceptional Children and gain additional knowledge -- and networks -- in the field of special education. This student organization works to advance the education of individuals with exceptionalities and to promote related educational, scientific and charitable purposes in support of the Iowa Chapter CEC and its efforts on behalf of persons with exceptionalities.

CEC

COE Student Organizations

UNI student teacher working with student

Clinical Experience

Let's Get Real

K-8 and 5-12 grade levels to meet endorsement requirements
Varied classroom environments, working with students of different ages and abilities in special and general education settings.
Learn and do as you pair methods (how to teach) courses specific to this major and your internships during the same semester.
Professional development school. Take methods classes from UNI faculty on site at local schools and then work with kids in K-12 classrooms.

Scholarships

Finding Support

Several focused scholarships are available as well as numerous general scholarships for UNI or College of Education students, including:

Mildred H. Wood Elementary/Special Education Scholarship
Alice Suroski Special Education
Dr. Gary M. Clark & Patricia Sitlington Endowed Scholarship
Melvin and Viola Reimer Endowed Scholarship

Scholarships & Assistantships

Student Organizations

Council for Exceptional Children

CEC

COE Student Organizations

For Other Teaching Majors

Special Education Minors

Interested in special education, but as a complement to your primary teaching major for teaching elementary, middle level or high school? Our special education minors offer you that ability and remain among the top minor choices at UNI.

Early Childhood Special Education Minor

Special Education: Instructional Strategist Minor

Other Pathways in Special Education

This special and inclusive education BA is for incoming freshmen and transfers seeking a four-year, on-campus degree. Other pathways to gain skills and grow your career in special education at UNI include:

Bachelor of Arts

Purple Pathway for Paraeducators, an accelerated path for working paraprofessional educators to complete their BA degree. Qualifies you for endorsements in elementary education and special education education strategist I endorsement. ‌

Advanced Studies Certificate