About the program
The Secondary Dual Educator Program (SDEP) prepares you to meet the academic needs of all students in your middle and high school classroom by integrating the pedagogy of general and special education at the secondary level. Completing this intensive dual-focus program puts you at the forefront of a growing trend in education that recognizes the diverse, dynamic and multifaceted perspectives that today’s youth bring to the classroom. Rather than seeing education as a one-size-fits-all approach, you will learn to expect and embrace the inevitable diversity encountered in your classroom. See the role and function of secondary teachers differently from those who receive their preparation through a single-focus program. Become an innovative teacher who envisions your responsibility as a collaborator, co-teacher, and consultant who can do whatever it takes to meet the needs of all students within inclusive settings. You will be able to use specialized instructional methodology and content area expertise to differentiate instruction and develop curriculum accommodations. Receiving this dual preparation will enable you to give all students fuller access to science, mathematics, English, social studies, and other content areas taught at the secondary level.
You will also learn about systemic inequity and how it operates in school systems. Understand how teaching is a political act that can either promote inequity or inhibit it. Believe that every student deserves access to the general education curriculum and experiences. Through critical discourse, readings, and reflection, work to identify and critique the ways in which differences can be supported successfully and appropriately.
SDEP field experience
Every term includes field experiences in middle/high school settings. Placements in special education and general education as well as collaborative teaching experiences prepare you to bring together content knowledge and specialized supports to make content accessible to all students within inclusive classrooms.
Year 1:
First term – observe in both general education and special education settings (10 hours/week)
Second term – apply new knowledge and skills directly with students who have individual education plans (IEPs) (10 hours/week)
Third term – half-time student teaching in special education (20 hours/week)
Year 2:
First term – work with students with more significant disabilities and co-teach in an inclusive content classroom (10-hour practicum/week)
Second term – half-time student teaching in general education (20 hours/week)
Third term – full-time student teaching in general education (40 hours/week)
Our graduates
Our graduates become high school and middle school special educators (e.g., co-teacher in content area, resource room teacher) and high school or middle school general educators in content areas (e.g., teacher of social studies, biology, art, physical education, etc.). Because SDEP is a dual-licensure program, you will have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings and positions in middle and high schools. Choose among opportunities such as special educator, general educator in a content area classroom, and co-teaching. Emerge as a collaborative leader in a school that has both the mindset and the toolbox to promote inclusion and equity. Develop skills that are always in high demand; many SDEP graduates receive multiple job offers upon program completion because principals recognize the growing need for educators with the ability to work with the wide range of diversity in our 21st-century classrooms.
Why PSU?
PSU is the public research university for the Portland metro area. As much as it is known for theory and research, PSU is known for its commitment to forward-thinking progress, inclusive goals, and supporting diverse communities. SDEP fits perfectly within this framework. The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) highlighted PSU’s SDEP in the 2019 Research-to-Practice Spotlight Series. AACTE calls SDEP a program demonstrating “exemplary clinical partnerships and practices.” The Alliance for Excellence in Education has called SDEP a “promising example.”