Degrees & Licensure
Undergraduate Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education (K-12)
The undergraduate special education program has two tracks which reflect the special education initial teacher licensing system in North Carolina. The Special Education General Curriculum track prepares teachers to provide research-validated instruction and behavior supports to maintain students with disabilities enrolled in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study at grade level. The program of study emphasizes intensive and explicit individual and small group instruction for students with disabilities who are achieving below grade level in basic skills; implementation of positive behavior supports for students with disabilities; collaboration with general education teachers to maintain students with disabilities in the standard curriculum at grade level; leadership in special education procedures and policies; and consultation with general education teachers, parents and other professionals.
The Special Education Adapted Curriculum track prepares teachers to provide research-validated instruction, learning supports, and behavior supports to assure appropriate progress of students with disabilities in an adapted course of study reflected in their Individual Education Programs. The program of study emphasizes intensive and explicit individual and small group instruction in communication, self-help, and social skills for independent living; intensive and explicit individual and small group instruction in functional academic abilities and occupational skills; knowledge of language arts and mathematics skills taught in the standard course of study and its extensions; implementation of positive behavior supports; collaboration with general education teachers to support participation of students with disabilities in the general curriculum as appropriate; leadership in special education procedures and policies including school and community transitions; and consultation with general education teachers, parents and other professionals.
Program information available at http://www.uncw.edu/ed/degree_under.html
Licensure Areas
Students who have previously earned degrees (including lateral entry teachers)
may earn licensure in any of the above areas by completing required courses
as determined by an advisor.
Checklist For Completing Licensure Requirements
Alternative Pathways to Teaching