This program is designed for students who seek an elementary or cross-categorical teaching license to teach children with special needs in the K-12 classroom setting. The format and courses of this regionally accredited and Arizona-approved program are designed to maximize the content knowledge that the teacher candidate will possess upon graduation. Courses are taught by experts in their respective fields who share knowledge and experience in areas of learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, and other physical and cognitive impairments. All courses are directly aligned with the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) principles, the Association for Childhood International standards, and/or the Council for Exceptional Children standards. Opportunities are provided to apply concepts, theories, and research throughout the program. Assignments within each course guide students through observational and practice-based experiences. Teacher candidates must have access to a K-12 special education classroom to complete the program assignments. Graduates of the program are prepared to work with special needs populations and implement individualized educational plans to accommodate the students' various learning, behavioral, and social needs. Teacher candidates must be prepared to complete a full-time, 16-week student teaching component at the end of the program. Eight weeks of student teaching are completed in a regular education setting and 8 weeks are completed in a resource room, self-contained class, or in a special school for students with disabilities. These special education settings must include at least three or more of the following disability categories: intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, physical/health impairments, and they must be completed with a certified special educator. Teacher candidates are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval. Teacher candidates should consult the Grand Canyon University Catalog, the University Policy Handbook, and an academic advisor to obtain information regarding current policies and procedures inherent in a teacher licensure program.
