About our Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate All-Level (EC-12) Generic Special Education Certification Program

Welcome!

The faculty and staff in the Department of Special Education welcome you. We are pleased that you have chosen the University of Texas at Austin to pursue the remainder of your preparation in special education teaching and we look forward to working with you over the next four semesters.

Preparing Exceptional Professionals to Teach Exceptional Students

In today’s increasingly diverse society, students with disabilities need highly qualified special education teachers who can design and implement effective programs and services that can facilitate positive academic and social outcomes. Concurrently, teacher education professionals provide instructional and assistive technology, promote inclusive education and social justice for all children and youth, and maintain high expectations for student success and equity.

The all-level special education certification program was created to respond to graduates’ needs in order to begin teaching careers in the school system. Graduates who want to teach in a variety of settings for individuals with disabilities, including a PPCD, an ED/BD environment, or a resource room for students with learning disabilities, will have the foundations necessary to become a successful and effective teacher. Throughout the course of your undergraduate study in special education teaching, you will discuss issues related to family and community involvement, cultural and linguistic diversity, individualized and appropriate education, and a lifespan focus. At the conclusion of the program, students are prepared to teach children and youth with mild to moderate disabilities as well as children and youth with severe and/or multiple disabilities.

The undergraduate teacher certification program in generic special education provides all-level (EC-12) certification. Certification seekers must complete a 133-hour Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Learning and Development with a 24-hour academic specialization in Special Education. The department also enrolls students who hold an undergraduate degree and wish to pursue teacher certification in all-level generic special education. The teacher certification program standards align with TexES standards for certification and licensure in Texas.

Brief descriptions of our faculty and their interests can be found in the SPED Faculty directory. For more information regarding our program and admission requirements, you may wish to visit the College of Education Undergraduate Programs section and the Undergraduate Advising page