Special Education Specialization

A pathway into the fulfilling and dynamic field of elementary special education open to undergraduate education majors at the University of Maine, the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine at Augusta.

Program Highlights

  • Become certified to teach special education in Maine
  • A curriculum that is aligned with state and national standards
  • Faculty with decades of experience preparing educators to serve children with exceptionalities and their families

About

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Special education teachers are in high demand in Maine and beyond. To meet this critical need and help serve Maine’s students, families and communities, the University of Maine, the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine at Augusta have teamed up to provide a comprehensive program that offers a pathway into the exciting and rewarding field of special education. The UMaine, UMM and UMA programs are aligned with state and national standards, and feature top-notch faculty adept at preparing educators to work with children who have exceptionalities.

Core Courses

  • SED 302 Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities
  • SED 420 Special Education Law
  • SED 425 Assessment in Special Education
  • SED 435 Program Planning in Special Education
  • SED 445 Behavior Support and Intervention
  • SED 455 Transition Issues for Students with Disabilities

Plus two electives:

  • SED 202 Communication and Collaboration in Special Education
  • SED 330 Math Methods in Special Education
  • SED 362 Typical and Atypical Expressive and Receptive Language
  • SED 365 Differentiated Instructional Strategies
  • SED 370 Teaching Reading and Writing to Children with Special Needs
  • SED 380 Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Students interested in further study in special education have the option of applying credits earned in the area of concentration to our 4+1 program. This program allows students to earn their bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from UMaine in five years. For more information, visit the 4+1 Accelerated M.Ed. in Special Education page at UMaineOnline.

To Apply

Applying for admission to the University of Maine is easy. Just go to go.umaine.edu/apply/

For more information

To learn more about the undergraduate program in elementary education at UMaine, please contact the Advising Center at advisingcenter@maine.edu.