Doane University

What you'll study

The programme combines a liberal arts foundation with professional preparation in special education, assessment and instructional methods. You will study child and adolescent development, learning theory, assessment and measurement, behaviour support, differentiated instruction, and curriculum adaptation for students with mild to moderate disabilities.

• Foundational coursework: child and adolescent development, educational psychology, diversity in education, and methods of instruction.
• Specialist coursework: assessment and diagnostic techniques, behaviour management and positive behaviour support, instructional strategies for students with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and emotional/behavioural disorders.
• Applied topics: inclusive classroom practices, assistive technology, transition planning, literacy intervention, legal and ethical issues in special education, and collaboration with families and related service providers.
• Field experiences: progressive practicum placements in local schools, classroom observations, co-teaching opportunities and a culminating student teaching placement that provides supervised experience in inclusive and specialised settings.

Programme structure

The degree typically includes general education requirements, major-specific courses and sequential practicum placements. Courses are designed to build from theory to practice, culminating in supervised student teaching and a capstone portfolio or licensure preparation seminar.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical admissions expectations include a competitive high school record with coursework in English and mathematics and a GPA that reflects readiness for university study. Doane considers applications holistically, including academic transcripts, a personal statement of interest in teaching, and academic or character references.

Because this is a professional licensure pathway, applicants will need to meet additional requirements before field placements and certification, such as background checks, health clearances (for example immunisation or TB screening where required), and any state-mandated assessments for teacher preparation. Standardised test requirements may be optional or considered as part of the overall application; check with Doane’s admissions and teacher education office for current expectations.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles in elementary and secondary schools, special education programmes and community services. Common career paths include:

• Special education teacher in inclusive or self-contained classrooms
• Resource or support teacher working with small groups or individualised instruction
• Paraprofessional or instructional assistant
• Behaviour interventionist or classroom behaviour specialist
• Transition coordinator, advocating for students moving between school, work and community settings
• With further study or certification: educational diagnostician, special education coordinator, or district-level specialist

Graduates are also prepared for continued study in graduate programmes in special education, educational leadership or related fields.

Why study at Doane University

Doane offers a small-college environment with close faculty mentoring and personalised support through its teacher education programme. Students benefit from strong partnerships with local school districts that provide a range of practicum and student-teaching placements across diverse classroom settings.

The programme emphasises hands-on, practice-based learning and reflective professional development, helping candidates build classroom management skills, data-informed instructional planning and collaborative family-school relationships. Doane’s integrated liberal arts curriculum supports broad critical thinking and communication skills that are valuable in educational settings.

Finally, the programme prepares students for state licensure processes and helps coordinate the clinical experiences and documentation needed for certification, while career services and alumni networks support job placement and professional growth after graduation.