About

Can you picture yourself helping students in a school setting? Are you interested in challenging yourself using critical thinking and problem solving to provide the best possible educational opportunities to students with special challenges?

The special education program area offers an exciting array of undergraduate, graduate, and licensure-only special education programs, both on-campus and through distance education (online and through SECU Partnership East). The BS in special education adapted curriculum (AC) requires foundations curriculum and professional courses, with an emphasis on effective teaching practices, authentic assessment, technology integration, and serving students with diverse learning needs and backgrounds. The BS in special education adapted curriculum leads to K–12 licensure.

The AC program prepares you to work with children with more significant cognitive disabilities who are pursuing an adapted curriculum. Program courses in AC provide a common core of the general knowledge and skills necessary for beginning teachers. Candidates in the special education AC program access a wide array of elective courses focused on related services such as social work, adapted physical education, recreation, sign language, or occupational therapy.

The special education program area works in partnership with the educational community in the development of these professional special educators. The special education program at East Carolina offers a rich combination of mentoring and course work coupled with extensive field-based practices to prepare you to teach students with special learning needs. You will learn about specific learning characteristics for students with disabilities, research-based instructional strategies and methods, and assessment practices designed to provide ongoing formative data for effective student learning. Along with early and ongoing field-based practicum courses, you will work closely with faculty, master teachers and university supervisors. That extensive educational experience means you will be empowered with the theory and the practice that will make you an expert in your field.

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.

ECU Advantage

Special education at ECU includes an active student organization, the Student Council for Exceptional Children. By joining the SCEC, members surround themselves with others who have a passion for serving their community and individuals with exceptionalities. The SCEC also provides opportunities for professional and personal development by gaining experience through working with individuals with exceptionalities through community events.

Special education at ECU includes the Irene Howell Assistive Technology (IHAT) Center which offers hands on experiences with the use of assistive technology integrated into all special education courses. The IHAT Center is dedicated to professional development, research, and service around assistive technology topics and issues.

ECU is the largest producer of special education graduates in North Carolina. Our alumni have gone on to enjoy successful careers in a variety of school settings, and many of them have received state and national awards for their service and expertise.

What You Will Study

Program Director: Chris Rivera (104 Rivers Building; 252-328-6865; riverac@ecu.edu)

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • ART 3850 - Art in the Elementary School OR
  • Any approved general education fine arts course

  • COMM 2020 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication OR
  • COMM 2410 - Public Speaking

  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra OR
  • MATH 2127 - Basic Concepts of Mathematics OR
  • any 2000 level or above general education mathematics course

  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology

  • PSYC 2777 - Ethnocultural Psychology OR
  • SOCI 1010 - Race, Gender, Class
  • Any approved general education fine arts course
2. Professional studies - 21 s.h.
  • EDTC 4001 - Technology in Education
  • EDUC 3200 - Foundations of American Education
  • READ 3301 - Reading Instruction in the Primary Grades
  • SPED 2123 - Early Experiences for Prospective Teachers
  • SPED 4320 - Communication and Collaboration in Special Education
  • SPED 4324 - Internship in Special Education
3. Core - 44-45 s.h.
  • SPED 2000 - Introduction to Exceptional Children
  • SPED 2200 - Introduction to Students with Disabilities in the Adapted Curriculum
  • SPED 3001 - Assessing Students with Disabilities
  • SPED 3003 - Academic Instruction for Students in the Adapted Curriculum
  • SPED 3004 - Managing the Learning Environment
  • SPED 3005 - Instructional Programming in Special Education
  • SPED 3006 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Students with Disabilities
  • SPED 3007 - Managing the Physical Needs of Learners with Disabilities
  • SPED 3200 - Instructional Methods for Students with Disabilities in the Adapted Curriculum
  • SPED 3209 - Instructional Practicum for Students with Disabilities in the Adapted Curriculum
  • SPED 4000 - Technology in Special Education
  • SPED 4001 - Instructional Programming and Transition Planning in the Adapted Curriculum
  • SPED 4100 - Issues and Strategies for Students with Disabilities in the General and Adapted Curricula
  • SPED 4300 - Practicum in Special Education
    • Select 2 courses, each from a different content area below.
      a. Adaptive physical education
      • KINE 3904 - Adapted Aquatics
      • KINE 4303 - Physical Activity Programs for Individuals with Developmental, Emotional, and Learning Disabilities
      • KINE 4903 - Physical Activity Programs for Individuals with Orthopedic, Neurologic, and Sensory Impairments
      • or any course(s) approved by the program coordinator
      • or any course(s) approved by the program coordinator
      b. Communicating with students with disabilities
      • ASLS 2020 - Sign Language Studies I
      • SPED 2420 - Introduction to Manual Communication for Students with Disabilities
      • SPED 3603 - Language and Communication for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Other courses as approved by the program coordinator
      • or any course(s) approved by the program coordinator
      c. Expanding special education
      • SPED 3600 - Issues, Trends, and Laws in Disability
      • SPED 3602 - Introduction to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • SPED 3750 - Global Studies in Special Education
4. Cognates - 14 s.h.
  • LING 4710 - TESOL Theories and Principles OR
  • MATE 3050 - Mathematics and Methods for Grades Pre-K-2
  • MATE 3051 - Field Experience in Mathematics Grades K-2
  • MATE 3060 - Mathematics and Methods for Grades 3-6
  • SCIE 3216 - Teaching Science in the Elementary School
5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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