Use Your Passion for Teaching to Help Learners with Diverse Abilities
The College of Saint Mary special education major may be completed in conjunction with a dual major in elementary education for an endorsement to teach kindergarten through grade six. A stand-alone degree in secondary special education is available for an endorsement to teach seventh through twelfth grade. We also offer an early childhood major with a special education minor.
With your special education major from College of Saint Mary you may teach children and youth who are verified as having specific learning disabilities, speech language impairments (language verification only), behavior disorders, orthopedic impairments, autism, other health ailments and traumatic brain injury. You may also teach verified children and youth who are placed in multi-categorical programs.
The special education major supports our inclusive strategies and an endorsement in special education can be a beneficial addition to a bachelor degree in elementary education or secondary education.
Required Courses in Your Major
Requirements for Graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from College of Saint Mary
You must complete 128 credit hours for Special Education K-6 emphasis:
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 45 credit hours in elementary education major courses
- 37 credit hours in special education major courses
- 3 credit hours in supporting courses
You must complete 128 credit hours for the Special Education 7-12 emphasis:
- 45 credit hours in special education major courses
- 41 credit hours in core curriculum requirements
- 29 credit hours in secondary education minor courses
- 7 credit hours in electives
- 6 credit hours in supporting courses
Teaching Certification
Students who successfully meet state required competencies may qualify for a Nebraska Teaching Certificate. Continuous growth in knowledge, pedagogy and professionalism, as well as satisfactory performance during student teaching and completion of Praxis Content test(s) for each content area as required by Nebraska Rule is in the recommendation for certification.
It is recommended to apply for the Nebraska certification at the time of program completion. If not, rule changes in effect at time of application will need to be made up as deficiencies. Since certification requirements of various states differ, a student planning to teach in a state other than Nebraska should inquire about specific requirements for that state.
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
The Teacher Education Department is accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education (888) 285-2556.
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary
-
Submit your application and transcripts.
-
Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.
Test-Optional Admissions
CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:
- Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
- If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.
Formal Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Application for formal admission must be submitted to the Teacher Education Committee by March 1 of your sophomore year (or the second semester after you transfer). During that time, you will be evaluated and considered for formal acceptance into the teacher education program. Evaluation procedures result in acceptance, provisional status, or non-acceptance. Acceptance is granted to students who meet all of the requirements. Provisional status or non-acceptance is granted at the discretion of the committee.
Before or during your first semester of sophomore year, you will be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators Test at least once for admission into the teacher education program. Core Academic Skills for Educators test scores, academic performance, evidence of professional dispositions for successful teaching, practicum evaluations, interview, and command of oral and written language are factors considered in determining your acceptance into the teacher education program. You must provide evidence of academic competence and professional development by having attained a cumulative GPA of 2.65 in course work, providing an active digital portfolio of work that demonstrates professional and scholarly growth, having participated in the student professional organization and completing an interview with the Teacher Education Committee.
Academic Description
Use Your Passion for Teaching to Help Learners with Diverse Abilities
The College of Saint Mary special education major may be completed in conjunction with a dual major in elementary education for an endorsement to teach kindergarten through grade six. A stand-alone degree in secondary special education is available for an endorsement to teach seventh through twelfth grade. We also offer an early childhood major with a special education minor.
With your special education major from College of Saint Mary you may teach children and youth who are verified as having specific learning disabilities, speech language impairments (language verification only), behavior disorders, orthopedic impairments, autism, other health ailments and traumatic brain injury. You may also teach verified children and youth who are placed in multi-categorical programs.
The special education major supports our inclusive strategies and an endorsement in special education can be a beneficial addition to a bachelor degree in elementary education or secondary education.
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
The Teacher Education Department is accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education (888) 285-2556.
Admissions Requirements
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary
-
Submit your application and transcripts.
-
Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.
Test-Optional Admissions
CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:
- Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
- If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.
Formal Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Application for formal admission must be submitted to the Teacher Education Committee by March 1 of your sophomore year (or the second semester after you transfer). During that time, you will be evaluated and considered for formal acceptance into the teacher education program. Evaluation procedures result in acceptance, provisional status, or non-acceptance. Acceptance is granted to students who meet all of the requirements. Provisional status or non-acceptance is granted at the discretion of the committee.
Before or during your first semester of sophomore year, you will be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators Test at least once for admission into the teacher education program. Core Academic Skills for Educators test scores, academic performance, evidence of professional dispositions for successful teaching, practicum evaluations, interview, and command of oral and written language are factors considered in determining your acceptance into the teacher education program. You must provide evidence of academic competence and professional development by having attained a cumulative GPA of 2.65 in course work, providing an active digital portfolio of work that demonstrates professional and scholarly growth, having participated in the student professional organization and completing an interview with the Teacher Education Committee.
Curriculum
Required Courses in Your Major
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from College of Saint Mary
You must complete 128 credit hours for Special Education K-6 emphasis:
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 45 credit hours in elementary education major courses
- 37 credit hours in special education major courses
- 3 credit hours in supporting courses
You must complete 128 credit hours for the Special Education 7-12 emphasis:
- 45 credit hours in special education major courses
- 41 credit hours in core curriculum requirements
- 29 credit hours in secondary education minor courses
- 7 credit hours in electives
- 6 credit hours in supporting courses
Teaching Certification
Students who successfully meet state required competencies may qualify for a Nebraska Teaching Certificate. Continuous growth in knowledge, pedagogy and professionalism, as well as satisfactory performance during student teaching and completion of Praxis Content test(s) for each content area as required by Nebraska Rule is in the recommendation for certification.
It is recommended to apply for the Nebraska certification at the time of program completion. If not, rule changes in effect at time of application will need to be made up as deficiencies. Since certification requirements of various states differ, a student planning to teach in a state other than Nebraska should inquire about specific requirements for that state.
