Winthrop University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in special education. Undergraduates can earn a B.S. in Special Education. Winthrop graduates are eligible for three education certifications in the state of South Carolina: Special Education: Multi-categorical (PK-Grade 12), Special Education: Severe Disabilities (PK-Grade 12), and Elementary Education (Grades 2-6). Graduate students without a current teaching license can pursue an M.A.T. in Special Education. Graduate students already licensed in special education can pursue a M.Ed. in Intervention.
Accredited through the Council for Exceptional Children.
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Special Education at Winthrop University are prepared to teach students with learning disabilities, emotional and behavior disorders, intellectual disability, autism, and extensive support needs (severe disabilities). The program focuses on the inclusion of all students with disabilities into the general education setting. Special education graduates are prepared to teach kindergarten through secondary school aged children. In addition to PK-12 Multi-Categorical Special Education certification, each Special Education major graduates with the required coursework needed for add-on certification in Severe Disabilities (PK-12) and Elementary Education (grades 2-6). These credentials will greatly enhance their employment potential. In addition to completing coursework and required field experiences, teacher candidates are encouraged to become actively involved in Winthrop's chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children, engage in research with faculty and local teachers, attend and present at local, state, and national conferences, and support the work of WinthropLIFE, a full-inclusive post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
B.S. in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education + 5th Year in Special Education
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed to prepare individuals who are seeking initial certification to be a classroom teacher. Through field-focused learning in school partnership settings, candidates demonstrate evolving skills in the domains of diverse needs of learners, learning environment, technology, assessment, instruction and learner engagement, literacy, and professional learning and ethical practice.
Teachers with current licensure in education can pursue their M.Ed. Online in Special Education Intervention. Our 30-credit, 100% online program offers two tracks for licensed teachers. The Intervention track is for currently licensed PK-12 special and general education teachers seeking to provide better support to students with the learning support needs through a systematic intervention process. The Licensure track is for PK-12 general educators pursuing add-on licensure/certification in Special Education and is focused on core competencies aligned to the Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) Initial Preparation standards in K-12 Special Education.