The shortage of special education teachers in Minnesota is significant and growing. The Department of Educational Psychology is stepping up to meet the demand in two ways that begin this fall.
A new B.S. in special education responds to the legislature’s mandate for academic behavioral strategist (ABS) initial licensure. Candidates will prepare to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities and earn the K–12 ABS teaching license.
The program also creates a pathway for those who want to go on to a master’s. Learn more on the web or contact Kathy Seifert at seif0074@umn.edu.
The Minnesota Board of Teaching also approved a first-of-its-kind type of delivery of the existing special education M.Ed. program in emotional and behavior disorders (EBD). Northeast Metro District 916 approached the college, looking for a way to help current staff stay on the job while gaining professional development needed for licensure.
Professor Jennifer McComas got to work adapting the EBD master’s program for onsite delivery to a cohort of 20–30. Four more districts joined the effort. The individuals who start this fall were recommended by their districts and accepted into the U program. The cohort is full, but McComas says future cohorts in EBD and other areas are possible.
