The Special Education program at Portland State University provides students with an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in special education and a Preliminary Teaching License with an endorsement in special education. This program is the only undergraduate teacher preparation licensure program in special education in the state of Oregon.
PSU's Special Education bachelor's degree is unique in that it offers preparation to teach students across a wide range of ages, including students age 3 through 21 and those who have more significant disabilities requiring extensive supports.
The undergraduate licensure program significantly reduces the cost of licensure for students and more directly addresses the critical shortage of these teachers across the state of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
PSU's Special Education faculty are committed to our students, improving education in Oregon and across the country, and fostering strong partnerships with community agencies.
The special education major requires 64 credits, including practicum and field experiences. Download a list of program requirements (PDF). To major in special education, you must apply and be accepted to the major.
Special Education Minor Overview
PSU's special education minor prepares aspiring special education teachers to enter a graduate teacher education program and be licensed to teach Special Education. You'll be introduced to the skills and knowledge required for those wanting to teach students with special needs at either the elementary or secondary level. In addition to a core set of courses, you'll choose electives from a range of departments, including math, special education, psychology, child and family studies, and speech and hearing sciences.
The minor in Special Education is intended for students who plan to enter a graduate teacher education program and be licensed to teach Special Education. While the minor is not a requirement for admission to the PSU College of Education's Special Education program, it does include all the prerequisites and highly recommended courses for admission to the program. Students seeking a license for teaching special education must complete a graduate-level program. The College of Education recommends students for teacher licensure at the completion of the Special Education program.
The bachelor's degree in Special Education is part of the largest Department of Special Education in Oregon and is accredited through both the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the state of Oregon's Teacher and Standards Practices Commission.
Our faculty bring students a wide range of expertise in special education including instructional methods such as autism, positive behavior support, inclusion, assessment, early intervention/early childhood, the transition to adulthood, and visual impairments. PSU's faculty are deeply involved in improving special education services and instruction in Oregon and across the country. They do this through the development of research-based curricula and teaching methods, setting up model classrooms and programs, and building collaborative relationships within schools and between schools and the community. Their research has led to improvements in education for students with and without disabilities.
Our program welcomes collaboration and values community-based partnerships to support children, youth, families, school districts, and agencies throughout the state. These partnerships include both mutual collaboration to support pre-service teacher candidates and recent graduates as well as outreach and service to local school districts and community agencies.
Graduates of the Special Educator License + BA/BS program are eligible for an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License with an endorsement in Special Education. This license enables candidates to teach students ages three through 21 (grades pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade) with a wide range of disabilities.
Accreditation
The Special Education Bachelor's degree at Portland State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the state of Oregon's Teacher and Standards Practices Commission.