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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the employment opportunities in special education?

A: There are critical shortages of special education teachers and related services personnel in every state in the country. Many school districts will hire teachers for special education positions who are certified in elementary or secondary education based on a commitment to complete a special education teacher education program. The nation’s universities are also experiencing a high demand for special education professors who hold a doctoral degree in special education.

Q: Why should I consider UNC for my professional development in Special Education?

A: The special education program at UNC was established in 1954. The rich tradition of excellence in programs, faculty members, and graduates is recognized at the state, national, and international levels of impact. The School of Special Education produces the largest number of graduate program completers in the entire University.

Q: At what degree levels does UNC offer special education programs?

A: The School of Special Education offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education, all areas of specialization within Special Education at the Master of Arts degree level of study, a post-MA licensure program in Special Education Administration, and a doctoral degree program in Special Education that prepares leadership personnel.

Q: If I already hold a Masters degree and licensure in a particular area of special education, can I obtain a non-degree licensure for further certification?

Yes, all of our programs can be taken for non-degree licensure if you already possess a Masters degree in another area. We suggest you look at each program area, and also read the FAQ for Special Education: Generalist Non-Degree Licensure located on our website.

Q: How do I get started in locating the program that is best for me?

A: We encourage you to become familiar with all material on the School of Special Education web page. You will find helpful information and resources, along with the contact information for the appropriate faculty member(s) who can assist you with any questions or concerns.

Q: How long does it take to complete a teacher preparation degree program in special education?

A: For individuals enrolling in the undergraduate degree program in Special Education, the program of 126 semester credits can be completed in eight semesters, provided a full load of 15-16 credits is completed each semester. For graduate students, the rate of program completion depends on whether the individual is a part-time or full-time student. Part-time students typically require 3 years to complete their program based on the
assumption that 1-2 classes are completed in fall and spring semesters and 3-4 classes are completed in summer semesters. Full-time graduate students can complete an MA degree in two years or less.

Q: Are classes offered online or on campus or both?

A: All undergraduate courses are offered on campus and through a cohort program provided to the UNC Urban Education Center in Denver. Graduate courses for Gifted/Talented are offered on campus only. Graduate courses are offered both on campus and online for the Generalist MA. It is possible to take the entire Generalist program online but each semester you must register early for these courses as they are first come, first served. Degree programs in Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Early Childhood, and Special Education Administration are offered online only. Doctoral courses are offered on campus only. All graduate courses are offered at nights or on weekends to accommodate working students. In addition, cohorts in Generalist and Gifted/Talented have been established in Denver at the UNC Urban Education Center. Please check the overview of Graduate Programs for further information.

Program	On Campus	Online	Denver cohort
BA Generalist	X		X
MA Generalist	X	X	X
MA Vision		X
MA Deaf/Hard of Hearing		X
MA Gifted/Talented	X		X
MA Early Childhood		X
Lic. Sped Administration	X	X
Doctoral Special Education	X

Q: What does the program cost?

A: There are a variety of tuition rates and program fees, dependent on Colorado residency status, graduate/undergraduate program focus, and part/full-time status. The tuition rates are subject to change each year by the UNC Board of Trustees, and up-to-date information on costs can be found at the UNC Burser’s Office web page that can be accessed at http://www.unco.edu/acctservices/bursar/index.htm. Courses taken in conjunction with the Denver cohort cost approximately $100 more per credit hour.

Q: How do I apply for admission to a special education program of study?

A: Graduate applications for admission are found at the UNC Graduate School’s web page: www.unco.edu/grad, and undergraduate applications for admission are found on the Admissions Office page: http://www.unco.edu/admissions/index.html. Full instructions for admission can be found under the Overview of Special Education programs.

Q: Are there sources of financial support available to UNC students?

A: There are a number of guaranteed loan programs and targeted student scholarships available to students at the graduate and undergraduate program levels in the area of special education. The process of application can be found at the Office of Financial Aid web page: http://www.unco.edu/ofa/index.asp.

Q: Do I need to apply in person or meet with a faculty member prior to applying?

A: No, it is very easy to apply online to any program. After you have studied the information on the Special Education website, feel free to call or email any of the professors or the School Director with further questions. You will find the telephone numbers and email addresses listed for all School of Special Education faculty members on our web page.