Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers a program in special education for students wishing to become teachers and administrators for special needs children. Along with a bachelor's and master's degree program, the school also houses a doctorate program. Students who already earned a masters degree have the opportunity of taking classes toward a certification in behavior analysis; however, this certification requires 18 months of internship. The school offers students two professional organizations for possible membership, Vanderbilt Association for Behavior Analysis and the student affiliate of the Council for Exceptional Children. Vanderbilt ranks atop the U.S. News and World Report rankings as the leader in collegiate education programs.
Vanderbilt University
Peabody College
Peabody #329
230 Appleton Place
Nashville, TN 37203
615-322-7444
vanderbilt.edu
The Teachers College at Columbia University provides future teachers with an interest in educating special needs students with a comprehensive curriculum designed in research, policy and practice. Students learn a variety of strategies and evaluation methods for use when teaching students with special needs, including visually impaired children, autistic children and mentally disabled children. The university provides two research centers for its teaching candidates: the Dean Hope Center and the Center for Opportunities and Outcomes for People with Disabilities. The school also offers separate specializations, including a focus on kindergarten through grade six and children with severe disabilities. In 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Columbia University's education program the second best in the country.
Columbia University
Teachers College
Special Education
525 W 120th Street
New York, NY 10027
212-678-3880
columbia.edu
Ranked in the top five educational programs in the country, the University of Oregon's College of Education provides a whole department dedicated to special education. Through their studies, students prepare for a career that improves the quality of life for children with physical or mental disabilities. The department offers four specializations: communication disorders and sciences, early intervention, special education and school psychology. Upon graduation, the degree qualifies students for special education teaching employment or for work in services for adults with disabilities. The department attracts undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree, master's candidates and doctoral candidates interested in advanced research and administration.
University of Oregon
Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences
College of Education
5261 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
541-346-5521
uoregon.edu