This program is no longer accepting applications.

Candidates in Loyola's secondary special education program are prepared to provide effective services to adolescents with a wide variety of disabilities, and to take leadership roles in the field of special education. The program emphasizes research-validated intervention techniques, specialized instructional methods, differentiated instruction, comprehensive assessment, transition planning, and advanced professional skills necessary for providing quality services to adolescents with special needs, particularly those with high-prevalence disabilities such as language or learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, emotional/ behavioral disorders, and mild intellectual disabilities.

This program meets Maryland State Department of Education's requirements for initial certification in generic special education  (grades 6-12), and it is also ideal for teachers seeking advanced professional development. The program attracts applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds and careers. Once accepted, candidates meet with an academic advisor to determine a personalized program plan of prerequisites (if needed), courses, and experiences based upon prior academics, teaching, and volunteer history. Program graduates are prepared to support the comprehensive needs of students in a variety of educational settings across the middle and high school  grades and to take leadership roles in the field of special education.