Special Education
Seeking compassionate, creative and resilient individuals who are strength-focused and committed to making a difference in the lives of students with exceptionalities and their families.
Special Education Programs-MAT, Added Endorsement, MA/MS
Special Education MAT with Oregon Teacher Licensure
Offered as a Master of Arts in Teaching with Oregon Teacher Licensure
The Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program is for those seeking to teach special education in kindergarten through high school. When completed, the Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program results in a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and recommendation to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices commission for an Oregon teaching license with a Special Education endorsement. The Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program is a two year program which starts in September. For those at a distance from Ashland, courses are available via Zoom (video technology). Recommendation for the teaching license requires completion of a final Professional Teaching Portfolio assessment as well as passing the National Evaluation Series (NES) examination in special education in accordance with the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.
Candidates seeking admission to the Special Education Preliminary Licensure Program must have a bachelor’s degree and at least a 3.0 GPA. They must also have taken a Foundations of Special Education course and a Mathematics for Elementary Teachers course (Math 211) and have documented experience working with children, preferably children experiencing disabilities.
To Apply to the Program:
Applications for the 2025 program are available! The priority deadline is January 17, 2025. Apply today!
To apply for the Special Education Preliminary License Program you will need to submit:
Application to the SPED Preliminary Teaching License Program to the SOU School of Education
Application for Graduate Admission to the SOU Office of Admissions
Both applications need to be completed.
Email the completed Special Education Preliminary License Program application to Anita Caster at caster@sou.edu – or mail it to:
Applications Coordinator
School of Education
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland, OR 97520
Special Education Added Endorsement
The Special Education Added Endorsement Program is for candidates who hold, or are eligible to hold, an Oregon teaching license and wish to add the special education endorsement to that existing license.
Courses are offered via Zoom for those who live outside the Rogue Valley. Recommendation for the endorsement requires completion of a work sample and passing the National Evaluation Series (NES) examination in special education in accordance with the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.
Candidates can also opt to earn the Master’s in Education degree by completing additional coursework. Those wishing to apply to the Special Education Added Endorsement program do so through the Master’s in Education (MSEd) application process.
Career Opportunities & Outlook
Contact the School of Education
SOU Education Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6936
– Questions About The SOU Education Program? –