Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6)

Elementary Education and Special Education (K-6)

Student working with elementary students in classroom
Schools are experiencing a shortage of teachers, and the demand for those with certification in both elementary education and special education is high. With a Bachelor of Science dual degree in elementary education and special education (K-6), you will develop the necessary skills to make a difference in the lives of young children with special needs.

The Nebraska Difference

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Scholarships

CEHS awards more than $200,000 annually in scholarships to incoming students.

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1-to-1 Advising

Your assigned advisor will support you with academic planning throughout your time at Nebraska.

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Career Coaching

Career coaches can help you plan for a meaningful career built upon your degree program.

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Program Features

Student Teaching 

Gain experience leading a classroom during a semester-long student teaching experience prior to graduation that incorporates both general and special education. 

Leadership Development

Become an educational leader prepared to work with diverse learners, schools and communities.  

Global Experiences 

Observe and analyze STEM instructional practices in Finnish and Estonian classrooms or take an in-depth look at the educational system in Costa Rica during faculty-led global experiences. 

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Notable Courses

Fundamentals of Child Development for Education (EDPS 250)

Explore human development concepts and principles of cognitive and social/emotional development through early adolescence. Understand biosocial forces affecting children’s behavior and development related to education.

Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (TEAC 308)

Cover the scope, content and organization of the mathematics curriculum, development, use and sources of instructional materials and teaching procedures.

Multicultural Education (TEAC 330)

Intro to historical, sociological and philosophical foundations of multicultural education. Explores and models attitudes toward diversity, cultural knowledge, curricular resources and multicultural instructional practices for diverse PK-12 populations.

Introduction to Special Education (SPED 201)

Learn basic concepts related to the education of exceptional learners, including historical factors, legislative statutes and instructional models.

Reading and Writing Disabilities: Elementary Students + Practicum (SPED 415 and 415A)

Learn to assess and teach early literacy skills in small groups and 1-to-1. Apply classroom learning by tutoring children at the Schmoker Reading Center.

Behavior Management (SPED 454)

Learn to manage student behavior. Functional assessment of and strategies for preventing behavior problems. Techniques for increasing prosocial behavior and non-aversive interventions.

Huskers Do Big Things

Internships

  • Youth coordinator, Lincoln YMCA
  • Student teacher, Lincoln Public Schools

Careers

  • First grade teacher, Lincoln Public Schools
  • Special education teacher, Millard Public Schools
  • LIFE skills special education teacher, Jefferson Intermediate School

Graduate Schools

  • M.A. Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, Elementary Teaching Specialization, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.Ed. Special Education, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.A. Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, Innovative Learning Technologies Specialization, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Ph.D. Educational Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Elementary Education and Special Education (K-6) major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Contact Name
Dijon DeLaPorte
Contact Title
Director of Recruitment
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Phone
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