Special Education (BS) – General Curriculum K-12

About

Special education teachers work with students with disabilities including learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism and other disabilities. Appalachian State University’s Special Education (BS) – General Curriculum K-12 prepares students to teach children and youth who will likely complete North Carolina public schools general curriculum requirements for career prep, college/tech prep, or college prep diploma. These students may have learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, traumatic brain injury and other health impairments or disabilities.

This program is part of the Department of Reading Education and Special Education and leads to North Carolina teaching license in Special Education: General Curriculum K-12.

After Graduation

Graduate school: This degree offers an Accelerated Master's Program at Appalachian. Students can begin taking courses toward a master's degree in special education or master’s in reading education as a senior; after they complete their undergraduate program, they can finish their master’s degree with approximately one additional year of coursework. In addition, students can take directed elective hours in the master's program to complete graduate certificates in Autism, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, and Reading Education or a combination, resulting in well-prepared and highly marketable special education professionals.

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

Alumna Profile: Katie Thermann ’19 ’20

“I chose App State because of the professors. They really do care about us and our success in life. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.”
– Katie Thermann, who completed her bachelor’s and earned a master’s degree in special education through Appalachian’s Accelerated Admissions program
Faculty Profile: Dr. Aftynne E. Cheek
“I chose to come to Appalachian because the university as a whole is very student focused. …I understand the importance of getting to know each student individually so I can help them become the best teacher for students with disabilities.”

– Dr. Aftynne E. Cheek, assistant professor
Alumni Profile: App State leads nation in board certified teachers

For the sixth consecutive year, App State tops the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ list of “Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs,” leading the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — 2,211.

Courses

Program of Study
Four Year Guide

Click on the pdf of your major
NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

Minors

No minor is required for the degree; however, this program offers a minor in Special Education, General to other majors.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Appalachian Educators – Open to all education majors. It sponsors service events and provides professional development and leadership opportunities.

Kappa Delta Pi – The national honorary education fraternity

Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) – Promotes programs and service projects and prepares future leaders in the education of exceptional children and youth.

AppVocates – A group of students who volunteer with Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program, a innovative campus program that provides students with intellectual disabilities access to a 2-year college education.

View all student organization contacts

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society. Opportunities for education majors include international student teaching.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Appalachian’s Teacher Education Program is required.

Apply

Visit

Connect

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

The Reich College of Education has one of the state’s top-rated teacher education programs and is recognized consistently in the annual Institution of Higher Education Performance Report by the North Carolina State Board of Education.
A nationwide shortage of special education teachers means plenty of opportunities for graduates.
Graduates are regarded as well-trained to teach special education in public and private schools.
The Special Education program has close faculty-student cooperation, which enhances students’ growth and development.
Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

Camp Director
Case Manager
Child Development Center Director
Child Development Specialist
Communications Specialist
Community Service Agency Director
Drug Rehabilitation Official
Educational Advocate
Educational Diagnostician
ESL Teacher
Family Services Social Worker
Group Home Director
Juvenile Court Counselor
Learning Center Administration
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Peace Corps Volunteer
Recreational Therapist
Rehabilitation Counselor
Special Education Consultant
State Education Official
State Hospital Worker
Teacher
Test Preparation Instructor
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

View more career possibilities

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Contacts

Reich College of Education

Department of Reading Education and Special Education

Dr. Aftynne E. Cheek
Undergraduate Program Director
cheekae1@appstate.edu
828-262-7833

Department of Reading Education and Special Education
The Department of Reading Education and Special Education offers innovative programs focusing on all facets of reading, writing, language arts and specific areas of special education. The Anderson Reading Clinic provides direct services to children with reading disabilities. Learn more at https://rese.appstate.edu.

Reich College of Education
Approximately 2,400 students
- The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. It houses five departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Family and Child Studies, Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies, and Reading Education and Special Education.
Teacher preparation
- Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
- Appalachian offers the largest undergraduate teacher preparation program in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. There is at least one RCOE graduate working in every county in North Carolina.
- The Reich College of Education is recognized consistently in the annual Institution of Higher Education Performance Report by the State Board of Education.
Close ties to public schools
- The Appalachian State University Public School Partnership – which includes 125 schools in nine surrounding districts – provides sites for student teachers and interns as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.
- The Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, located in Walkertown, North Carolina, serves over 300 K-5 students. The Academy provides a balanced education through the implementation of research-based practices, state-of-the-art literacy instruction, and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.
Graduate programs
- The School of Graduate Studies’ Accelerated Admission program, in which select undergraduate students can fulfill both undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year toward the completion of a graduate degree program, is offered in: higher education, reading education and special education.
- Other education-related master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.