Lateral Entry, Add-on Licensure
Special Education: General Curriculum

Program Description

Overview

The Special Education: General Curriculum Licensure (SPED: GC) Program prepares teachers with competencies to instruct students with learning disabilities, emotional/behavior disorders and mild mental retardation in school settings. The program provides an interdisciplinary approach to the education of students with disabilities in inclusive learning environments. Faculty members are specialists in the disciplines of psychology, early intervention, special education and literacy.

In recent years, the program has drawn students from a geographical area that extends east to west from Johnston County to Guilford County and north to south from Vance County to Hoke County. Teachers from more than a dozen different NC school districts have been enrolled in the program.

The SPED: GC program includes eight courses (22-23) credit hours) that are completed by most students over four semesters.

Licensure

The program meets the requirements for the new NC licensure standards in grades K-12 as well as for the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) General Curriculum standards.

Students who complete the program and the appropriate PRAXIS tests will be recommended by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) for licensure at the "A" level.

Admissions

Fully licensed teachers (Standard Professional I or II) may add the Special Education area. Employed or prospective lateral entry teachers with licensure area Special Education: General Curriculum may complete their licensure requirements. Prospective lateral entry teachers may be admitted provisionally and will be required to pass the Praxis II examinations in order to be eligible for employment.

Program Contacts

Melissa Miller, Program Coordinator
melmillr@email.unc.edu
(919) 843-1979

Cadie Blalock, Program Assistant
ceblaloc@email.unc.edu
(919) 843-4409