Undergraduate Special Education Program

Special Education teacher preparation at Baylor is an undergraduate program leading to certification in All-Level Special Education. The program is guided by the overriding belief that, "All children can learn, if they are carefully taught." "Careful" instruction is understood in two ways: (1) instruction that is "full of care," i.e., provided in an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance; and (2) instruction that is "careful" in its attention to the learning needs of the student, i.e.,guided by its effect on student learning and evaluated in terms of student success.

Since special education is mandated for ages 3-21, an acute teacher shortage exists in many areas. The high demand for Special Education teachers is expected to remain. In Texas, All-Level Special Education teachers will be able to teach classes for children with disabilities ranging in severity from mild to severe and ranging in age from 3-21.

Available Undergraduate Certificate Options:

All-Level Special Education
This program prepares a candidate to teach only students with exceptional learning needs from early childhood through twelfth grade. Field experiences focus on students with varying levels of disability ranging from mild to severe, such as learning disabilities, autism, mental retardation, and physical disabilities. The Texas certificate is called Special Education EC-12.

Elementary EC-6 with Special Education Supplement (Available to students enrolled in 2008)
This supplement to EC-6 course work prepares a candidate to teach both general education students in early childhood through sixth grade as well as EC-6 students with exceptional learning needs who spend the majority of the school day in general education classrooms. The focus of field experiences is on students with mild disabilities such as learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, attention deficit disorder, and mild mental retardation. The Texas certificate is called Special Education Supplemental.

For more information regarding the All-Level Special Education Program and the Elementary EC-6 with Special Education Supplemental Program contact:

Pat Arredondo, M.S.E.
Interim Director, Programs in Special Education
Baylor University
One Bear Place 97301
Waco, TX 76798-7301
(254)710-6167 (Office)
(254)710-3265 (Fax)