Special Education BA
- Major
- BA
- In-Person
- Denver
- Greeley
- Liberal Arts Concentration
- Licensure: Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21)
4 Years
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Program Overview
UNC graduates have nearly a 100% placement rate with school districts and other employers.
You can become a special education teacher! Gain specialized training to teach K-12 students with a broad range of special needs. Work with thoughtful professors who are award-winning experts in the field.
You’ll gain hours of classroom experience, giving you real-world preparation to manage your own classroom after graduation.
- Liberal Arts Concentration: 79 major credits that give you a foundation in the latest technology, theory and developments in special education.
Liberal Arts Concentration – Degree Requirements
- Licensure Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21): After 76 major credits, take 22-24 credits for licensure.
This 18-credit minor is meant to work with any major or teacher licensure program other than Special Education.
Four-year plans help you see what it would look like to graduate with a Special Education degree in four years.
Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance.
Concentrations
Choose to complete licensure to become a special education teacher or focus on theory and practice by concentrating in liberal arts.
Not sure if you want to teach? This concentration does not include student teaching in the final semester or K-12 teaching licensure upon graduation. Instead, focus on being prepared in theory and practice!
This concentration requires completion of the Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP). You’ll end your college career with a semester student teaching. You will end as a licensed special education teacher!
This licensure is also available at the Center for Urban Education in Denver.
Why Special Education?
Learn from Experts
Our faculty bring knowledge from all over the world to teach the latest and most relevant aspects of special education.
Placement after Graduation
Almost 100% of our students are placed in school districts after graduation.
Best Buddies
This is part of a national organization creating one-on-one friendships between students and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Alumni in Special Education
Alumnus
“[There is] a side of me that always wants to help the ones that need the most help. To be a special education teacher you need a lot of empathy and commitment because that community requires a lot of it. It takes a lot of energy from you, and I knew I wanted to help them feel part of the community.”
Fernando Beltran, '24
Special Education
What is Licensure?
A teaching license is Colorado’s way of certifying you’re qualified to teach. It shows you’ve completed the required coursework, passed state exams and gained classroom experience. Think of it like a driver’s license, but for teaching.
Our Special Education program includes everything you need for 5-21 licensure. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply for your Colorado Initial Teacher License and start your teaching career.
If you have questions about Licensure, email Licensure@unco.edu
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Special Education
We prepare the next generation of confident, skilled, and compassionate special education professionals through outstanding teaching, dedicated mentorship, and pioneering research guided by national leaders in the field.
- 970-351-2691
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