Special Education: Mild & Intense Intervention P-12

Purdue University in West Lafayette

Special education meets the unique needs of individuals with disabilities by preparing professionals with the knowledge, disposition and skills necessary to effectively serve individuals with diverse needs. The undergraduate program is grounded in evidence-based practices that emphasizes creating connections between subject matter knowledge and teaching, valuing the diverse characteristics of students and the ability to address the needs of all students, and understanding the contextual aspects of teaching (e.g. the organizational and policy context).

The special education: mild & intense intervention P-12 program links courses with field experiences in partner school and non-school settings. Particular attention is given to specialized skills to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities — serving students in various school and community settings; developing individualized education programs; engaging in data-driven decision making; and developing instructional, material and environmental modifications. All these competencies are beyond the knowledge required for general educators.

A special education P-12 graduate is qualified to teach children with or at risk for disability who require mild to intense support from preschool through grade 12. Graduates are prepared to support students across a continuum of placements and to collaborate with a variety of professionals to meet the needs of students. The special education P-12 plan of study outlines the required courses to complete the degree for licensure.