As an Intervention Specialist major at UD, you will prepare to teach students with mild to intense disabilities from Kindergarten through 12th grade. This comprehensive four-year program combines coursework in development, collaboration, content, law, and instructional practices. Upon completion, you will earn two Ohio teaching licenses: Intervention Specialist Mild to Moderate K-12 and Intervention Specialist Moderate to Intense K-12.

The program offers flexibility to add additional credentials to your teaching license, allowing you to enhance your expertise and resume. You may choose to pursue a minor, such as, but not limited to, Disability Studies or Social Work, or a university certificate in areas like Dyslexia, Urban Teacher Academy, Catholic Education, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Alternatively, you can earn a state endorsement in Preschool Special Needs. These credentials will enrich your professional qualifications and prepare you to teach in diverse educational settings.

Your education includes on-campus lecture-style courses combined with hands-on application alongside your peers. The program features 800 field hours in local schools, which is double the state of Ohio’s requirement. These extensive field experiences will enhance your readiness for your full-time student teaching placement. During this time, you will receive formative supervision to support your ongoing growth and development as an educator.

800
field hours in local school districts
100%
of undergraduate students are employed, in grad school or in a full-time service program within six months of graduation
96%
first-time pass rate for Ohio Resident Educator license

A High-Quality Education

Observation & Field Experience

Student Organizations

Teach in U.S. or Abroad

800 Hours in the Field

From year one, undergraduate students are in one of our partnering local schools, logging observation hours as part of their coursework and exposure to the profession of teaching. Field-based experience continues during years two and three. The field experiences in the first 3 years gives students well over 100 hours of learning in the field. Student teaching (internship) takes place during year four, which is over 600 hours in a gradual release model.

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Service Opportunities With Fellow Teacher Education Students

Be a part of UD student organizations created especially for teacher education majors. Opportunities include tutoring at local elementary schools, attending teaching conferences (national, state & local) and participating in professional development programs.

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Where Will Our Programs Take You?

Graduates work in a variety of public and private educational settings. Many go on to earn advanced degrees or pursue careers as principals and superintendents. We have alumni teaching all across the country and around the world.

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Visit Campus

Interested in learning more about the Intervention Specialist (Special Education) program? We'd love to meet with you. Schedule an academic appointment by contacting sehsadvisingoffice@udayton.edu. You can also choose to schedule a general campus tour and admission presentation.

Campus Tour and Admission Presentation

Featured Programs and Initiatives

Urban Teacher Academy

Prepares students who are interested in urban teaching to be culturally competent educators that can understand and respond to the needs and challenges of urban students, families and schools.

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Undergraduate research

Students participate in the University of Dayton's annual Stander Symposium, a campus-wide event that allows students from all disciplines to showcase their intellectual accomplishments.

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Study Abroad

Summer programs in Ireland, England and Italy offer opportunities to explore museums, churches and schools through the lens of an educator. The Malawi Practicum allows opportunities to gain graduate-level research and fieldwork experience in Africa.

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Lalanne

Specialized program for teacher education graduates pursuing a master's degree at UD. Lalanne teachers benefit from two years of mentored teaching experience and live in community with other Lalanne teachers.

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Experiential Learning

Real-World Experience

Through practical learning opportunities like classroom observation and student teaching (internship), you can build your resume, gain practical experience and prepare for a successful career.