Special Education Minor

Support individuals with diverse learning abilities and behavioral challenges with a minor in Special Education.

No matter what type of teacher you want to be, you will have students with disabilities and special needs in your classroom. UND's Special Education minor prepares you to understand and effectively teach those students so they can reach their potential.

Program type:: Minor
Format:: On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:: 1-2 years
Credit hours:: 20

Why minor in Special Education?

Part of being a 21st century educator is knowing how to successfully teach those with challenging behaviors and diverse learning abilities. Our goal is to support you in meeting these professional expectations and their integration in the general education classroom.

A minor in Special Education is the perfect supplement to your undergraduate major. You'll understand the challenges students with special needs go through, and how to help them reach their full potential. You'll learn from a highly qualified and diverse group of faculty members with extensive experience teaching and working with special-needs children and their families.

Take courses in special education at one of our partner universities in Europe during a semester abroad.

Jobs in Special Education

Job prospects for special education teachers are excellent due to the rising enrollments of special education students and shortages of qualified teachers. Job openings are expected as a result of teacher retirements or career changes.

By declaring a minor in Special Education you will:

Advance your skill set and teaching efficacy which improves job performance and professional satisfaction.
Gain knowledge in school-wide support services, collaboration and inclusion facilitation.
Be better prepared to work with individuals with varied abilities and their families in a range of health, human services and educational settings.
Be positioned to study Special Education in the Master’s program at UND which equips teachers for highly specialized training and salary advancement.

What majors pair well with a Special Education minor?

Combining a Special Education minor with certain majors can enhance your understanding of diverse learning needs and broaden your career opportunities in the field of education and support services. Here are some bachelor's degrees that complement a Special Education minor:

Elementary Education Degree: An Elementary Education major provides foundational knowledge and teaching strategies for working with students in grades K-6, which can be invaluable when paired with a Special Education minor for addressing the diverse needs of students in inclusive classrooms.
Secondary Education Degree: A Secondary Education major focuses on teaching specific subjects to students in grades 7-12, and pairing it with a Special Education minor can prepare educators to support students with disabilities in secondary school settings.
Early Childhood Education Degree: Early Childhood Education majors focus on teaching and supporting young children, and when combined with a Special Education minor, educators are equipped to address the needs of children with disabilities in early childhood settings.

Minor in Special Education at UND

The minor fulfills eligibility criteria to teach special education in North Dakota.
Better prepares future educators by increasing knowledge and building confidence to teach challenging behaviors and diverse learning abilities.
Take a variety of specialized courses in this customizable program, with online options available for introductory courses.
Understand this field through evidence-based instruction.
Be a part of Graduate Research Achievement Day or the College of Education & Human Development Research Conference.