Advocate in the Classroom

All children can learn. With our bachelor’s degrees emphasizing special education, you will learn about the characteristics of mild to severe disabilities, the application of assessments, and the development of all learners. You will gain first-hand experience with assistive technologies that you'll use in your future classroom. As a special education teacher, you will make a difference in the lives of exceptional learners.

Special Education teacher interacting with student in a classroom.

See Yourself Succeed With a Degree in Special Education

Female teacher with elementary age girl at school desk.

Career Readiness

Reinforce your confidence and skills to become an effective special education teacher through field-based experiences in real-world classroom settings.

Female teacher instructing college students in classroom.

Distinguished Faculty

Work with excellent, supportive faculty to cultivate the skills and knowledge you’ll need to work with students of all abilities.

Frank Young Education North building.

Advice as You Need it

Visit our Mentor Center in the Frank Young Education North building for support and information to help reach your career goals.

A professor interacting with students in a classroom.
Three students working on a computer together.

Hands-on Training

Gain experience at the Assistive Technology Lab, designed to assist and empower individuals with disabilities and educate future teachers.

Focus Your Passion

Choose from two special education teaching certification options.

Teacher Certification, EC-6 with Special Education

This track prepares you to work primarily with students with disabilities in early childhood through sixth grade classroom settings. Completing this program and passing all TExES exams certifies you to teach special education in the state of Texas.

All-Level Special Education

This track prepares you to work with students with disabilities in all grade levels and in both general education and special education classrooms. Completing this program and passing all TExES exams certifies you to teach special education in the state of Texas.

Assistive Technology Lab

As a collaboration among the Department of Psychology and Special Education, the Center for Information Technology Excellence, and Velma K. Waters Library, this unique facility features multiple examples of assistive technology specifically designed to empower individuals with disabilities and educate future teachers.

Faculty Spotlight

Becky Adams, M.Ed.

Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers possible!

Gilbert “Gil” Naizer, Ph.D.

My focus is pre-service teacher education, in-service teacher professional development and methods o…

Michelle Hanks, M.Ed.

Texas A&M University-Commerce has influenced my career in that my students are eager, willing, and r…

Belinda Rudinger, Ed.D., ATP, CATIS

Even your hardest day in special education is filled with meaning. Driving home each day, you know t…

What you will learn

A degree in special education offers the opportunity to:

  • Develop strategies to promote student achievement in language, reading and math.
  • Gain knowledge about disabling conditions and their effects on learning.
  • Ascertain how to provide instruction while addressing students’ learning needs.
  • Administer behavioral assessments, promote behavioral management and develop interventions when needed.
Young woman in classroom with pen and paper.

Careers

At East Texas A&M, a degree in special education gives you in-demand skills and knowledge. As a graduate, you will be well-prepared for your successful teaching career. Our special education program boasts a nearly 100% employment rate throughout Texas!

Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries

Special education teachers, secondary school
$61,710
Special education teachers, middle school
$61,440
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
$60,460
Special education teachers, preschool
$60,000

US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2020

Potential Employers

Job placement and satisfaction are high in our education program. In fact, regional school districts often seek out our graduates. Check out a few of the school districts where our students have taught. Discover where you belong!

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Course Delivery

Our bachelor’s degree program in special education offers you a flexible way to earn your degree. You may take classes online or face to face. Many of our courses are offered at the main campus in Commerce, at the Mesquite Metroplex campus, at Navarro Partnership in Corsicana, or at the Collin Higher Education Center in McKinney.

Student Organizations

Student Council for Exceptional Children, Chapter 211

Student Council for Exceptional Children is a local chapter of the national Council for Exceptional Children. This organization consists of East Texas A&M students who have an interest in children with special needs and those who are considered gifted and talented. Our goal is to improve educational professional standards and to increase awareness of children with exceptionalities.

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Undergraduate Program Costs

Program Costs

Tuition and fees for undergraduate students taking 12 credit hours are $4,212 for Texas residents and $9,108 for non-residents.

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