Special Education

Mission Statement

Through the development of collaborative skills, pedagogical knowledge, personal dispositions, practical applications, and professional teaching, the mission of the Special Education program is to prepare and assist candidates in applying concepts and teaching in a variety of general and special education PreK–12 environments.

The Bachelor of Science in Special Education program at Cumberland University has been designed with input from teacher education partners to meet the Tennessee Department of Education's requirements for endorsements in special education.

The program has been specifically designed to ensure graduating teacher candidates will meet the academic and developmental needs of all students during their first year teaching and thereafter.

Students interested in Special Education may choose from the following endorsement options:

Special Education - Comprehensive K-12
Special Education - Early Childhood PreK-3
Special Education - Interventionist K-8
Special Education - Interventionist 6-12

Students in this program must be admitted to STEPP I to be considered a candidate for licensure and must meet STEPP requirements at key checkpoints in their program. The STEPP and its requirements are described fully on the University website. Cumberland University students who wish to become teacher candidates must see a Educator Preparation Programs advisor for more information on teacher candidacy.