Ohio Wesleyan University has been approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to begin offering a special education major effective immediately.
Ohio Wesleyan’s new special education major prepares students to earn an intervention specialist, kindergarten-grade 12 teaching license. In addition, OWU’s early childhood education majors now are able to pursue a concentration in special education.
“Nationwide, there is a significant shortage of special education teachers,” said Amy McClure, Ph.D., chair of Ohio Wesleyan’s Department of Education. “Not only is there a shortage, but the need for special education student services is increasing. We know special education teachers improve children’s lives every day, and we are pleased to help train these vital educators.”
Those who study special education also pursue careers in school administration, hospital programs for children requiring long-term care, and public policy and advocacy, said McClure, an OWU alumna and member of OWU’s teaching faculty since 1979.
In addition to its new special education major, Ohio Wesleyan also offers education majors in both early childhood (preK-grade 3) and middle childhood (grades 4-9) education.
Ohio Wesleyan also offers education minors in adolescence to young adult (grades 7-12) and in multi-age (preK-grade 12) education, with possible licensure in several different areas.
For those seeking a post-baccalaureate program, Ohio Wesleyan enables those who already hold undergraduate degrees to earn their teaching licenses by enrolling in full-time courses in one of OWU’s undergraduate teacher licensure programs.
Ohio Wesleyan’s Department of Education is accredited by the State of Ohio Department of Education and has achieved national accreditation through the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), McClure said. In May, it also was one of just 16 colleges and universities recognized nationwide with a “Top Tier” rating from the Washington, D.C.-based National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for effectiveness in preparing future high school teachers.
“Ohio Wesleyan has been educating the nation’s future teachers for more than 100 years,” McClure said. “Our graduates are highly skilled in supporting the learning of children and young adolescents throughout the nation and world. We’re proud of their contributions and pleased to add new opportunities in special education.”
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