Education - Special Education, Bachelor of Science
This program is designed for candidates preparing for careers serving children and youth with disabilities. This program prepares candidates to be special education teachers at the elementary or secondary level. The preparation meets or exceeds the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) initial level special educator preparation standards for special education teachers.
Other Information
Praxis II Content Test
All educator preparation candidates are required to receive a passing score on the Praxis II content test in each endorsement area of their preparation prior to being awarded initial teacher certification through the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).
This link will take you to the ETS website page for the Nebraska Department of Education requirements. The page lists the Nebraska requirements for each endorsement area.
Student Organizations
Allies for Sign Language
The main objective of this organization shall be to unite members and community for the purpose of fellowship, friendship and promote academic achievement; act as a resource to attract and retain deaf and hard of hearing students; provide a basis for cultural exchange among the Deaf students and the hearing students; advocate for accessibility; further the understanding of Deaf culture throughout the world; promote discussion of current trends and issues relating to deaf education; as well as provide social activities that include members of the deaf community.
For more information contact Julie Delkamiller by email at jdelkamiller@unomaha.edu or Jonathan Scherling via email at jscherling@unomaha.edu.
Student Council for Exceptional Children
Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is an organization that is dedicated to advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The student chapter is associated with the International Council for Exceptional Children. For more information contact Dr. Lisa Epp at lepp@unomaha.edu or Dr. Apryl Poch at apoch@unomaha.edu.
Contact
512 Roskens Hall
6005 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0054
402.554.2201
Elementary Education, Special Education,Bachelor of Science in Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - 34 Hours Required | ||
| Minimum of “C-“required | ||
| Fundamental Skills | 15 | |
Writing – 6 hrs. | ||
| ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | ||
| COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | ||
Oral Communication – 3 hrs. | ||
| PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS | ||
or CMST 2120 | ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | |
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING | ||
or MATH 1130 | QUANTITATIVE LITERACY | |
or MATH 1140 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS | |
or MATH 1300 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | |
Data Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
Select one from the following: | ||
| DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education course. | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 13 | |
Social Science - 3 hrs | ||
Humanities - 3 hrs | ||
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs. | ||
Arts - 3 hrs | ||
| Individual and Social Responsibility | 6 | |
Cultural Knowledge - 3 hrs | ||
Civic Knowledge and Engagement - 3 hrs | ||
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS - 78 Hours Required | ||
| **Course will satisfy UNO's General Education requirement | ||
| ^Course requires pre-requisite(s) | ||
| All of the following: | 78 | |
| MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I (^) | ||
| MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS II (^) | ||
| EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (^) | ||
| HUMAN RELATIONS FOR BIAS-FREE CLASSROOMS (** ^) | ||
or TED 2060 | EQUITY, LANGUAGE, AND CULTURAL LITERACY | |
| HUMAN GROWTH AND LEARNING (^) | ||
| PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING (^) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION (** ^) | ||
| SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES | ||
| MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: RISK FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS (^) | ||
| SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (^) | ||
| LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FOR TEACHERS | ||
| READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (^) | ||
| INTERACTIONS AND COLLABORATION (^) | ||
| BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (^) | ||
| TEACHING AND ASSESSING READING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (^) | ||
| TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS: ELEMENTARY (^) | ||
| TEACHING OF SCIENCE: ELEMENTARY (^) | ||
| EFFECTIVE DATA COLLECTION FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DECISIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (^) | ||
| PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (^) | ||
| METHODS AND MATERIALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | ||
| CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (^) | ||
| ELECTIVES | ||
| Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours | ||
Secondary Education, Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements - 34 Hours Required | ||
| Minimum of “C-“required | ||
| Fundamental Skills | 15 | |
Writing – 6 hrs. | ||
| ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | ||
| COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | ||
Oral Communication – 3 hrs. | ||
| PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS | ||
or CMST 2120 | ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | |
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING | ||
or MATH 1130 | QUANTITATIVE LITERACY | |
or MATH 1140 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS | |
or MATH 1300 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | |
Data Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
Select one from the following: | ||
| DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education course. | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 13 | |
Social Science - 3 hrs | ||
Humanities - 3 hrs | ||
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs. | ||
Arts - 3 hrs | ||
| Individual and Social Responsibility | 6 | |
Cultural Knowledge - 3 hrs | ||
Civic Knowledge and Engagement - 3 hrs | ||
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS - 78 Hours Required | ||
| **Course will satisfy UNO's General Education requirement | ||
| EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (^) | ||
| HUMAN RELATIONS FOR BIAS-FREE CLASSROOMS (** ^) | ||
or TED 2060 | EQUITY, LANGUAGE, AND CULTURAL LITERACY | |
| DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN ADOLESCENCE (^) | ||
| PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING (^) | ||
| MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I (^) | ||
| NUMBER SENSE, ALGEBRA, AND GEOMETRY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION | ||
| YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION (** ^) | ||
| SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES | ||
| MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: RISK FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS (^) | ||
| READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (^) | ||
| SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (^) | ||
| LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FOR TEACHERS (^) | ||
| TRANSITION PLANNING (^) | ||
| INTERACTIONS AND COLLABORATION (^) | ||
| BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (^) | ||
| SECONDARY CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT (^) | ||
| LITERACY AND LEARNING (^) | ||
| EFFECTIVE DATA COLLECTION FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DECISIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (^) | ||
| METHODS AND MATERIALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (^) | ||
| PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (^) | ||
| CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (^) | ||
| ELECTIVES | ||
| Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours | ||
Update to: Special Ed K-12 (remove ELSE and SESE)
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.
Elementary Education, Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Education Four Year Plan
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 1150 or ENGL 1140 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I or COLLEGE WRITING AND RHETORIC I WITH SUPPORT | 3 |
| CMST 1110 or CMST 2120 | PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | 3 |
| Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| MavEd Humanities | 3 | |
| MavEd Cultural Knowledge | 3 | |
Attend Welcome Week events; other campus events | ||
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1160 | COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | 3 |
| SPED 1500 | INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| TED 2100 | EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS | 3 |
| TED 2200 or TED 2060 | HUMAN RELATIONS FOR BIAS-FREE CLASSROOMS or EQUITY, LANGUAGE, AND CULTURAL LITERACY | 3 |
| MavEd Arts | 3 | |
| Apply to EPP by March 1 deadline | ||
Advising appointment for fall: February - March | ||
Join a student organization. Consider joining Student Council for Exceptional Children. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| Natural and Physical Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Civic Knowledge and Engagement | 3 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| TED 2300 | HUMAN GROWTH AND LEARNING | 3 |
| TED 2400 | PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING | 6 |
| SPED 2300 | SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS | 3 |
| Data Literacy | 3 | |
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
Identify professional organization to get involved with. Begin resume development. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MTCH 2000 | MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I | 3 |
| SPED 4810 | BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS | 3 |
| SPED 4230 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FOR TEACHERS | 3 |
| Elective to degree | 3 | |
*May be taken any summer or semester before clinical practice | ||
Advising appointment for fall: February - March | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| MTCH 2010 | MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS II | 3 |
| TED 3350 | TEACHING AND ASSESSING READING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS | 6 |
| TED 4330 | TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS: ELEMENTARY | 3 |
| TED 4340 | TEACHING OF SCIENCE: ELEMENTARY | 3 |
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
MUST have 2.75 minimum NU GPA to progress in Educator Preparation Program. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPED 3020 | EFFECTIVE DATA COLLECTION FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DECISIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 4640 | METHODS AND MATERIALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 4000 | PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 4710 | INTERACTIONS AND COLLABORATION | 3 |
| SPED 3250 | SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
Advising appointment for fall: February - March | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPED 4150 | READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: RISK FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS | 3 |
| Elective for Degree | 3 | |
| Elective for Degree | 3 | |
| Elective for degree | 2 | |
Take Praxis II- SPED #5355 | ||
Advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
Apply for clinical practice at beginning of fall term. | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPED 4720 | CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 12 |
Apply for graduation | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult an advisor in your major program for further guidance.
This plan is not a contract and curriculum is subject to change
Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year. Information based on 2025-2026 University of Nebraska at Omaha undergraduate catalog.
Placement Exams: For Math, English, Foreign Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
**Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study
GPA Requirements:
2.5 minimum GPA to remain in College of Education, 2.5 minimum GPA to apply to Educator Preparation Program, 2.75 minimum GPA to progress in Educator Preparation Program
# Professional education course: a grade of C or higher is required to pass the class
Graduation Requirements: 2.75 minimum NU GPA
Secondary Education, Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Education Four-Year Plan
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 1150 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| QUANT LITERACY | 3 | |
| NATURAL SCIENCE | 4 | |
| SPED 1500 | INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION (SOCIAL SCIENCE) | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1160 | COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | 3 |
| CMST 1110 or CMST 2120 | PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | 3 |
| ARTS | 3 | |
| TED 2100 | EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS | 3 |
| HUMANITIES | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE FOR DEGREE | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE | 3 | |
| DATA LITERACY | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE FOR DEGREE | 3 | |
| TED 4660 | YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE | 3 |
| TED 2200 | HUMAN RELATIONS FOR BIAS-FREE CLASSROOMS | 3 |
Apply for the educator preparation program before October 1, 2026 | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| TED 2380 | DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN ADOLESCENCE | 3 |
| TED 2400 | PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING | 6 |
| MTCH 2000 | MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I | 3 |
2.75 NU GPA | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ELECTIVE FOR DEGREE | 3 | |
| SPED 4710 | INTERACTIONS AND COLLABORATION | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| TED 3550 | SECONDARY CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| TED 3690 | LITERACY AND LEARNING | 3 |
| MTCH 2020 | NUMBER SENSE, ALGEBRA, AND GEOMETRY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 4810 | BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPED 3020 | EFFECTIVE DATA COLLECTION FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DECISIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 4640 | METHODS AND MATERIALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 4000 | PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| SPED 4230 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FOR TEACHERS | 3 |
| SPED 3250 | SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPED 4650 | TRANSITION PLANNING | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: RISK FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS | 3 |
| SPED 2300 | SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS | 3 |
| SPED 4150 | READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES | 3 |
| ELECTIVE FOR DEGREE | 2 | |
Apply to Clinical Practice | ||
Praxis II #5355 (151) | ||
Update Resume | ||
All course needs to be completed prior to SPED 4720 | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPED 4720 | CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 12 |
Apply for Degree/Graduation | ||
Graduating with 120 credits | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult an advisor in your major program for further guidance.
This plan is not a contract and curriculum is subject to change
Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year. Information based on the 2025-2026 catalog.
Placement Exams: For Math, English, Foreign Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
**Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study
GPA Requirements:
2.5 minimum GPA to remain in College of Education, 2.5 minimum GPA to apply to Educator Preparation Program, 2.75 minimum GPA to progress in Educator Preparation Program
# Professional education course: a grade of C or higher is required to pass the class
Graduation Requirements: 2.75 minimum NU GPA