Special Education

New students are normally required to complete the College's placement test prior to their enrollment. Students identified as needing developmental work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate developmental English and mathematics courses as part of the program.

All students are required to take two mathematics courses.

Because students will be required to observe and work with children the Program requires students to meet the requirements of the Child Protective Services Law, 23 Pa. C.S.A., § 6344 (relating to prospective childcare personnel). Students must therefore present up-to-date Pennsylvania criminal history reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history reports, Department of Public Welfare (child abuse) reports, and health clearances, clearly stating that they are eligible to work with children. (Up-to-date clearance is defined as being no more than 12 months old on the first day of working with children.) Failure to produce up-to-date clearances or a change of clearance status may result in a student's removal from the program. A student who believes that an error of fact has been made in his/her removal may appeal that decision. Information regarding the appeal procedure will be provided with the letter of removal.

To qualify for the Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree in Special Education, a student must complete a minimum of 61 credit hours as described in the following course sequence. In addition, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and a minimum grade of "C" in all Education courses.

During their matriculation in the program, it is strongly recommended that students meet with a designated Education academic advisor to choose their courses.

Students whose behavior is viewed as inconsistent with professional standards may be dropped from the curriculum pending an Education program hearing.

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

The Special Education A.A. degree program is designed to prepare students for a career teaching special education students across all school levels. This program provides a strong foundation in both the content knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary for success in a classroom setting. Students earn an Associate in Arts degree in Special Education, which is now required for many entry-level jobs in Pennsylvania K-12 schools. Most graduates then transfer to a four-year institution where they earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Education and are eligible for certification to teach special education students. It also serves as a first step for those students who wish to transfer to four-year schools so that they may earn their baccalaureate degrees in education.

Students engage in coursework that covers key concepts in special education and educational theory, while also gaining hands-on experience through teaching practica and fieldwork in local schools.

Because transfer institutions require specific courses, it is highly recommended that students consult catalogues of schools to which they might transfer along with transfer information available in the Counseling Center, as well as their advisor, to make appropriate course selections.

According to Pennsylvania mandates, under Chapter 354, students need a 3.0 GPA for entry into upper-level education courses and teacher certification programs at four-year schools. In addition, they must pass the Pre-Professional Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) before being admitted into these upper-level courses at four-year schools.

Upon successful completion of the Special Education degree program, graduates will be able to:

• Identify the relationship between historic and current public education in the United States, with emphasis on public education in urban environments.
• Develop a professional teaching philosophy informed by the study of cultural and social changes that shape contemporary practices in education.
• Communicate efficiently with specific stakeholders in education, using various communication modalities.
• Examine teachers’ roles and responsibilities including certification requirements, instructional models, classroom management, record keeping, mandatory reporting, and IDEA compliance.
• Construct and apply meaning from theoretical frameworks including adolescent development, assessment, pedagogy, and professionalism.
• Utilize effective and appropriate communication tools and skills to convey special education content knowledge.