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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (April 7, 2010) –To prepare teachers for one of the fastest-growing areas in education, Milligan College will begin offering a joint special education and preschool/early childhood (PreK-3) licensure program this fall.
The special education licensure is available to undergraduate students who are completing their bachelor’s degree and licensure in early childhood education. Teachers who are already licensed in PreK-3 can also earn the special education licensure through Milligan’s M.Ed. program.
“Our students have expressed an interest in special education licensure,” said Dr. Lyn Howell, associate professor and chair of education at Milligan. “We have seen a great demand for this, from our students and local schools. I have talked to principals, and they are uniformly excited that Milligan has been approved to offer this licensure.”
Students pursuing the licensure must complete additional coursework in special education and an extra practicum. During the practicum, they work in both a school setting and a private setting, such as a community organization or hospital. Students can earn the special education licensure in the same amount of time it takes them to complete their bachelor’s or master’s degree at Milligan.
The timing for Milligan’s program could not be better, as projected employment increases through the year 2012 indicate special education positions will increase faster than all other occupations, according to CareerOverview.com, a comprehensive career and job search resources guide.
“Local principals have indicated to us that many of the current special education teachers are in the baby boomer generation, and they will be retiring,” Howell said.
While there is a shortage of special education teachers, there is no decline in students who require special education.
There is a particular need for early childhood special education teachers, stemming from legislation promoting early intervention and special education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Reports also indicate a greater demand for special education teachers in the South and West, a result of projected increases in overall student population.
“Milligan’s mission is to make a difference and help people fulfill their own goals and impact society,” Howell said. “The special education licensure is an important piece of that. It allows people who have a heart for special education to pursue it at Milligan. And it allows Milligan to fill a need in the community.”
For more information about Milligan, visit www.milligan.edu or call 800.262.8337.