Learn the art and science of teaching special education for young people from birth to age 21. At the University of Minnesota, we are D-R-I-V-E-N to to prepare the next generation of scientist-practitioners to be:

• Data-based collaborators who deliver
• Robust, rigorous, relentless instruction to address
• Individual differences and needs, adding
• Value to student outcomes using
• Evidence-based practices and believing
• No problem is unsolvable

Our program is designed by leaders in the field of special education who train our teacher candidates, using the IDEAL Problem Solving Model to:

1. Identify the problem
2. Define the problem
3. Explore alternative solutions
4. Apply solutions
5. Look at the effects of solutions

Academic and Behavior Strategist (ABS) teaching licensure

The ABS license program leads to eligibility to obtain an initial teaching license or an additional license added to another teaching license to expand the age range and/or types of students a teacher is licensed to teach. An ABS license qualifies you to work with students in K-12 schools or age 18-21 transition programs who may have a broad range of mild to moderate disabilities in the following areas:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Developmental disabilities
• Emotional and behavioral Disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Other health disparities

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) teaching licensure

In the DHH program, you'll receive the training you need to teach students, birth through age 21, with diverse backgrounds and hearing levels. Our graduates earn the qualifications needed to apply for licensure in the state of Minnesota as an initial or additional license and the skills needed to improve education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and their families. You’ll leave the program ready to incorporate best practices into teaching, help students develop their identities, and promote respect and equity for ASL/English and cultural diversity.

Early childhood special education (ECSE) teaching licensure

Help young children with developmental delays and disabilities succeed. In the ECSE program, you'll prepare to teach young children, birth through age six, with a variety of developmental delays and disabilities. This program leads to eligibility to obtain an ECSE license as either an initial teaching license or an additional license added to another teaching license to expand the age range and/or types of students a teacher is licensed to teach. You'll leave the program with the skills to: identify the need for early intervention; provide research-based services to children and their families in their home, school, and community settings; and, ultimately, help children and families successfully transition to kindergarten.

Add an online autism spectrum disorder certificate

Help young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. The now fully online ASD certificate program helps educational professionals gain additional expert knowledge and skills for working with individuals with ASD from birth to age 21. While the program does not prepare you to be a licensed teacher in the field of ASD, it does provide a focused set of expertise and an additional credential that may be embedded into other teacher licensure or MEd degree programs with minimal additional coursework.