North Carolina Central University

Departments | Special Education

The mission of the Department of Special Education is to prepare teachers to effectively teach and nurture students with special needs, to address issues of language and cultural diversity, and to collaborate with parents, other professionals, and students in the delivery of evidence based educational programs.

CRT - Culturally Responsive Teachers for Exceptional Children

The Department of Special Education at NCCU is offering financial support for graduate students to earn a degree in special education, initial and advanced license in special education and dual license in a content area.

Through a four year grant from the Office of Special Education Programs, the scholarship/loan program supports the graduate education of teachers with a focus on preparing culturally responsive teachers.

The CRT grant reimburses all tuition and fees for participants, provides money for books, and money for travel to professional conferences. Students repay the scholarship/loan by working in special education two years for every year (21 hours) that is funded.

More information on the CRT Grant

Special Education Programs

The Department of Special Education prepares graduates to be professional educators and leaders in the field of special education for students with mild disabilities in the licensure areas of birth-kindergarten, behavioral-emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, mental disabilities, visual impairments, orientation and mobility, and deaf/blind disabilities. Graduates demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of all special educators as defined by The Standards for the Preparation and Licensure of Special Educators, The Council for Exceptional Children, the initial and advanced competencies of the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction, and the Standard for Beginning Teachers of the Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium.

Degree Programs

Master's of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
a) The Master's of the Arts of Teaching is a 39 hour program for students who have a background in education, but do not have a license in special education. The program provides students with initial license competencies in knowledge of special populations, adapting curriculum, assessing students, writing IEP's and instructional methodology. After completion of the basic courses, students take courses in applied research, leadership and technology with advanced study of current research and policy in special education.

b) In addition, students with limited or no background in education will need up to 15 hours of pre-requisites prior to enrolling in the MAT program. Upon completion of the program, students receive an M license in their concentration area.

Master's of Education (M.Ed.)
The Master's in Education is a 33 hour program for students who have initial licensure in one of the concentration areas in special education and at least one year of teaching experience. Courses offer students an opportunity for applied research, advanced technology, development of leadership skills, and advanced study in special education with an emphasis on understanding and using current research and policy.

Licensure Only Program

Students may apply for a Licensure Only Program in the Special Education General Curriculum through the NCTEACH program or the Department of Special Education. Information and application packages for the NCTEACH program can be obtained from Katrina Billingsley at (919) 530-7292 or kbillingsley@nccu.edu. Information and application packages for the Licensure-Only Program through the Department of Special Education can be obtained from the department secretary at (919) 530-7291 or Graduate Admissions at (919) 530-6478.

More Information

For information and applications, contact:

Department of Special Education
School of Education
712 Cecil Street
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 530-7291