At the undergraduate level, ECU offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Special Education. The B.S. degree requires the completion of 128 credit hours. Aside from the off-campus opportunities through North Carolina community colleges, ECU offers undergraduate students two options for study. First, a general curriculum track allows educators to work with special needs students pursuing secondary education through the general curriculum offered by the state of North Carolina. Second, students can pursue an adapted curriculum offered by the state which is specifically adapted to the individual needs of the students.
At the graduate degree level, ECU offers a 39 credit hour Master of Education (M.A.Ed.) program that further qualifies students to meet the needs of special needs students. Students can pursue the degree program full-time but can also study part-time while working. Pursuing the program on a part-time basis normally takes about two years. Four areas of specialization can be pursued by ECU graduate students: learning disabilities, low-incidence disabilities, mental retardation and emotional and behavioral disabilities.
In addition to the special education degree programs, ECU also offers various certificate programs specifically designed for the special education professional. The first program allows students to receive state approved license to work with children considered to be academically gifted. This program is offered in conjunction with the elementary education division of the School of Education. A second graduate certificate is offered for those wishing to work with autistic students. This is a 12 credit hour program focused on communication, research, intervention and instruction of children with autism. The third certificate program offered by ECU in special education is in the area of assistive technology. Also a 12 credit hour program, the assistive technology certificate is offered in cooperation with the university's occupational therapy department.
East Carolina University
College of Education
154 Speight Building
Mail Stop 504
Greenville, NC 27858
252-328-4260
ecu.edu