Special Education Teaching Degree Programs in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, special education teaching programs are commonly offered at the bachelor's and master's degree levels; one school listed in this article also offers a doctoral degree. Courses cover special needs teaching and learning, student assessment, behavior management and educational technologies.

Some programs integrate a student teaching experience, allowing participants to gain hands-on skills in the field. Particularly at the master's degree level, specializations may be available, such as special education administration, mild/moderate disabilities or severe/profound disabilities.

Applicants to a master's-level program may be required to have a certain amount of experience working with individuals who have special needs. Master's degree program applicants may also need to meet minimum GPA and GRE score requirements.

Oklahoma students who are interested in becoming special education teachers have a choice of nine public and private not-for-profit universities in the state that offer approved special education programs that will qualify them for the necessary licensing and certification. Eight of these schools and their programs are listed below.

East Central University

East Central University in Ada is a public residential university with an enrollment of close to 5,000 students. The school was founded in 1909 as a normal school, and today occupies a 135-acre campus composed of more than 35 buildings. ECU's Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education is designed to be completed in four years. Students will complete a total of 124 hours of coursework, including major related courses covering subjects like child and adolescent psychology, diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties, and educational technology. Bachelor of Science students will also be required to complete a semester of student teaching. East Central University also offers a graduate degree program in special education. Graduate students can earn a Master of Education in Special Education.

Langston University

Langston University, located in the city of Langston, is the only historically black college in the state of Oklahoma. The school was founded in 1890, a year after Oklahoma became a state. The school enrolls close to 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Langston University offers a Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education degree program. Students in the special education degree program will emerge prepared to effectively teach students with disabilities in the classroom. Some of the required courses for prospective special education teachers cover topics such as speech disorders, guidance for exceptional children, and behavior management.

Oklahoma Baptist University

Oklahoma Baptist University is a private religious institution located in Shawnee. The school was incorporated in 1910 and currently enrolls close to 2,000 students. The Princeton Review has ranked Oklahoma Baptist among the best colleges in the western U.S. for the past eight years. Oklahoma Baptist students who are interested in a career in special education can earn a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the university. The focus in this program is on learning strategies for children with disabilities ranging from mild to severe. Student teachers will learn about behavior management, classroom strategies, and IEP protocols. Graduates will be prepared to instruct special needs students in public schools or other educational settings.

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa's Oral Roberts University is a private protestant university that enrolls over 3,000 students. Oral Roberts University offers more than 75 degree programs spread among its 6 colleges. Students interested in special education can earn a Bachelor of Science through the school's College of Education. This degree program prepares future teachers to understand and meet the educational needs of disabled students using various teaching strategies and materials. The courses offered will cover methods for teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities, special education curriculum, and behavior management. The program requites 131.5 credit hours of coursework, including a student teaching internship. Students should be able to complete the B.S. in Special Education program in four years.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant is a residential college that awards bachelor's and master's degrees. The school was founded in 1909 and currently serves more than 4,000 students. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Special Education degree programs for students who wish to teach special education students.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Weatherford. The university offers associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees through its five colleges. Undergraduate students interested in majoring in special education can earn a Bachelor of Science in Education in Mild/Moderate Special Education that will prepare future special education teachers to use a variety of assessment and classroom management techniques in order to effectively teach students with mild to moderate disabilities.

Graduate students can work toward a Master of Education in Special Education degree. Students who wish to be admitted to the Master of Education program should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 and an acceptable GRE score, as well as two professional recommendations. The master's in special education prepares students to work with special education students with mild to moderate disabilities in elementary or secondary school. The M.Ed. program requires about 33 credit hours to complete, and includes a capstone project.

University of Central Oklahoma

Located in Edmond, just north of Oklahoma City, the University of Central Oklahoma enrolls over 17,000 students yearly. Established as a teaching college in 1890, UCO continues to offer education programs, including special education teaching programs. Undergraduates can major in special education teaching. Majors take classes geared towards earning Oklahoma teacher certification. Certification in specific special education fields such as mild and moderate disabilities or severe and profound disabilities is available. Learners can also pursue Oklahoma special education certification in elementary education or early childhood education.

Undergraduates must engage in special education teaching research and complete a student-teaching experience. Graduates can earn a Master of Education in Special Education degree. Participants must choose to focus on either mild/moderate disabilities or severe/profound disabilities. They gain classroom experience through practicum experiences, which provide them with the opportunity to gain experience in classroom management and teach individuals with moderate or severe disabilities. Learners also develop curricula for reading, science, social science and other subjects.

University of Oklahoma at Norman

The University of Oklahoma is a 4-year, public college located in Norman. Through its Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, UO offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in teaching special education. The 4-year Bachelor of Science degree requires 124 credit hours to complete. Course offerings include educational psychology and classroom management for teachers.

The Master of Education degree program requires 33 credit hours to complete. Classes focus on special education research techniques and issues that affect educational standards and requirements. Additionally, pupils learn to create and assess academic goals, as well as encourage social interactions among special needs students.

The doctoral program in special education takes 90 credit hours to complete. Core courses cover research methods and special education topics like special education law and attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. Students can pick from one of three concentrations: the university professor concentration, the school instructional leadership concentration, and the higher education and community support concentration.