Walden University’s New Special Education Offerings Address Growing Demand

Minneapolis—May 19, 2011—With nearly six million students nationwide in need of special education, according to the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics, there is a growing demand for qualified educators to work with exceptional students. Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership has developed two new online special education offerings, an Education Specialist (EdS) in Special Education and a Doctor of Education (EdD) with a specialization in Special Education, to help address the needs of professionals in the field of special education.

Curricula in both programs were designed to align with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)’s Advanced Role Content Standards and reflect some of the latest developments in learning, the brain, specialized instruction and inclusive practices. The programs focus on increasing effectiveness when advocating for children with special needs, evaluating program and intervention efforts, and improving the knowledge and skills of special education and regular teachers.

The CEC recently recognized Walden University with its first virtual student chapter. The CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. The newly formed CEC student chapter at Walden will develop programs to support its students preparing for a career in special education, support the outreach activities they undertake in their communities, enhance the professional preparation of future special educators and engage Walden alumni to provide mentorship.

The EdD with a specialization in Special Education is designed for educators who want to improve the quality of special education services provided in schools, districts and agencies. This specialization’s curriculum focuses on key issues in the field of special education, such as leadership and policy, program development and assessment, and ethical practice and allows educators to gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical trends and issues impacting special education today.

The EdS in Special Education, an advanced graduate-level program, is designed for individuals who seek a specialist role in public and private schools or community service agencies, positions that are becoming more essential due to a shortage of special education teachers. The curriculum includes an emphasis on research methodology to help educators more effectively evaluate and improve special education programs and instruction.

The new offerings join the Riley College of Education and Leadership’s portfolio of special education programs and specializations, which includes the MS in Education with a specialization in Special Education, Teacher Preparation Program with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Special Education Endorsement Programs and PhD in Education. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu/education.

About Walden University
For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 42,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 55 campus-based and online universities in 28 countries.

Walden offers more than 50 degree programs with more than 225 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org.