Minnesota State University-Mankato

This program is flexible and designed to fit your needs, with a personalized Plan of Study based on your preferred course load and pace. You’ll learn essential teaching strategies, how to support students with disabilities, and take courses focused on your specific licensure area.
The program emphasizes real-world experience, so you’ll build practical skills to work confidently in different classroom settings. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to meet licensure requirements and succeed as a special education teacher.

You’ll gain real-world experience by working directly with students in school settings. This is a required part of the program based on state guidelines. Most courses include assignments that involve time in a classroom.

If you’re already working as a paraprofessional, you can usually complete these activities in your own school.

These hands-on experiences help you apply what you’re learning in class, build practical teaching skills, and prepare you to meet the needs of today’s students. 

The program’s curriculum is grounded on the principle of infusing culturally responsive, social justice, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices throughout its courses. 
 
You'll develop the awareness, knowledge and skills you need to support the diverse socio-cultural, racial, ethnic and language backgrounds of your future students.

• The curriculum focuses on respectful and welcoming teaching practices.
• Throughout the program you’ll learn how to support students from different backgrounds.
• Materials and activities encourage reflection on a wide range of viewpoints, including your own.
• You’ll learn how to create supportive classrooms and address unfair treatment through your teaching.  

Experienced special education faculty guide you through the program, offering support and feedback along the way. 

During your field experiences, you’ll build relationships with teachers and mentors that often last beyond graduation. This strong support system—from both the university and schools—helps you grow as a teacher. 

Even after you graduate, you’ll have a network of people to turn to for advice, ideas and support in your teaching career.

The program continually improves by using the latest research and feedback from students, graduates and school leaders. It follows proven teaching practices and partners with national organizations to keep coursework relevant. You'll learn practical skills like teamwork, lesson planning and supporting all types of learners. The program grows with input from people like you, so you're well-prepared for today’s classrooms.