Presbyterian College

What you'll study

This programme blends a liberal arts foundation with specialised professional preparation in special education. You will study core education theory and practice alongside modules that focus specifically on learners with disabilities, assessment, and intervention strategies. Coursework is complemented by progressively responsible field experiences and a culminating student teaching placement in inclusive and specialised settings.

• Foundations of Education: child and adolescent development, learning theory, curriculum and instruction.
• Special Education Core: characteristics of learners with disabilities, inclusive practices, behaviour support and positive behaviour interventions.
• Assessment and Intervention: formal and informal assessment methods, individualized education program (IEP) development, response to intervention (RTI) strategies.
• Instructional Design and Differentiation: differentiated lesson planning, assistive technology, universal design for learning (UDL).
• Classroom Management and Collaboration: classroom organisation, family and community partnerships, co‑teaching models and multidisciplinary team work.
• Practicum and Student Teaching: multiple practicum experiences in early childhood, elementary or secondary settings leading to a full-time supervised student teaching placement.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical requirements include a competitive academic record in secondary study and submission of official transcripts. Additional admissions materials commonly requested are a personal statement explaining interest in special education, academic references, and a résumé or list of extracurricular and volunteer experiences working with children or young people.

Because this degree prepares students for licensure and classroom practice, candidates must be willing to complete background checks, maintain required health and immunisation documentation, and meet any state-specific certification prerequisites during the programme. Some courses or field placements may require proof of liability insurance or clearance to work with vulnerable populations.

Career prospects

Graduates typically pursue classroom roles supporting learners with special educational needs in public and independent schools. Common career paths include:

• Special education teacher (elementary or secondary settings)
• Resource or inclusion specialist within mainstream schools
• Behaviour support practitioner or paraeducator
• Transition coordinator or programme specialist for students with disabilities
• Educational consultant, curriculum developer or inclusion coordinator

With additional qualifications or graduate study, alumni may move into roles such as educational diagnostician, behaviour analyst, district-level specialist or school leadership positions. The programme also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in education, counselling or related fields.

Why study at Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College offers a personalised, small-college learning environment where education students benefit from close faculty mentorship and small class sizes. The college’s liberal arts approach ensures a broad intellectual foundation alongside specialised training in special education, emphasising ethical leadership and community engagement.

Students gain hands-on experience through partnerships with local schools and community organisations, enabling supervised field placements across a range of settings. Faculty with experience in classroom practice support professional growth, and the programme is designed to prepare graduates for the realities of contemporary inclusive classrooms and the processes required for teacher licensure in the region.