Special Education and Communication Disorders
The mission of the Special Education and Communication Disorders department is to prepare dedicated practitioners, reflective scholars, and responsible citizens who are unique in their ability to facilitate, design, implement, and evaluate programs for individuals with disabilities. This is accomplished by creating opportunities for the acquisition and maintenance of knowledge, skills, and dispositions as prescribed by the Council for Exceptional Children, the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (for graduate program only), and state and federal regulations.
Undergraduate candidates follow a course of study with accompanying practical experiences that are grounded in theory, research, evidence-based practice, and experience. Our candidates develop essential interpersonal skills that make them valued members of collaborative, interdisciplinary teams in a variety of settings. Thus, each program of study is designed to promote problem solving skills that enable candidates to continue to broaden their skills and enhance their expertise throughout their professional career. These skills facilitate the recognition and integration of professional ethics with the individual needs and values of the communities they serve.
Accreditation
For program accreditation information, please refer to this table.
The undergraduate degree in communication disorders provides the fundamental prerequisite knowledge necessary for pursuing a graduate degree. The graduate degree is the minimal requirement for employment as a speech-language pathologist in Nebraska. The speech-language pathology graduate program provides candidates with the opportunity to acquire and maintain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions as prescribed by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC), by the Nebraska Department of Education, and by Nebraska Health and Human Services.
Contact
512 Roskens Hall
6005 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0054
402.554.2201
Students interested in becoming special education teachers must formally apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
In order to be formally admitted to a program in special education and remain in good standing, a candidate must maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or better. No grade below a “C“ will be accepted in any professional education course, or any course in the specialization area.
- Application instructions for the Educator Preparation Program.
Communication Disorders
For students pursuing the Communication Disorders major, no application is required. To continue with Communication Disorders (CDIS) courses, students must maintain a 3.0 NU GPA or higher.
Early Admission to the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program via FAST track
For information regarding early admission to the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program via FAST Track, please refer to application information online here.
Education - Special Education Dual Endorsement with Elementary Education or Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science
This program is designed for candidates preparing for careers serving children and youth with disabilities. This program is part of the educator preparation program at either the elementary or secondary level. In the educator preparation program candidates must complete a dual endorsement in special education and elementary or secondary education. The preparation meets or exceeds the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) initial level special educator preparation standards for special education teachers.
Elementary (K-6) Requirements
Secondary (7-12) Requirements
Candidates must have satisfactorily completed all required coursework prior to clinical practice.
A minimum grade of "C" must be earned in all certification requirements, endorsements, and concentrations. All grades of incomplete and any grades below "C" in these specific requirements must be removed prior to clinical practice. Candidates are responsible for contacting their advisor regarding said grades.
For courses in this major/ endorsement that require a grade of C or higher, CR/ NC is not permissible.
Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in order to be eligible for clinical practice.
Contact
512 Roskens Hall
6005 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0054
402.554.2201