• Collaborative Special Education

  

• Multiple Abilities Program

  

• Early Childhood Special Education

  

• Autism

  

• Gifted and Talented Education

  

• Severe Disabilities

  

The Department of Special Education (and Multiple Abilities) serves, advocates, and seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals, their families, educators, and employers by helping each student to realize their potential. Our ultimate goal is to instruct and equip teachers with knowledge using research-based practices that prepare them to meet the needs of student from birth into adulthood through home, school and community. Our department faculty, staff, and students conduct research and leverage evidence-based interventions and assessments to support collaborative, inclusive, equitable approaches across home, school, and community, with a focus on the strengths and needs of all children, students, educators, and families.

Department Head:  Dr. Nicole Swoszowski

Main Office:  201 Autherine Lucy Hall

Degrees

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

• Special Education
  • with certification in Collaborative Special Education
  • with certification in Early Childhood Special Education
  • with certification in Multiple Abilities Program 

MASTER OF ARTS

• Special Education
  • with certification in Autism
  • with certification in Collaborative Special Education
  • with certification in Early Childhood Special Education
  • with certification in Gifted Education
  • with certification in Severe Disabilities

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST

• Special Education (online)
  • with certification in Collaborative Special Education
  • with certification in Early Childhood Special Education 
  • with certification in Gifted and Talented  

DOCTORAL DEGREES

• EdD in Special Education (online)
• PhD in Special Education

CERTIFICATES

• CrossingPoints Certificate in Occupational Studies (CCOS)

Important Links

• SPEMA GA Application
• MAP Application
• SPEMA Comprehensive Exams Application

Contacts

Faculty and Staff

• Dr. Lucy Barnard-Brak

  Professor, Autism

  

  Email

  lucy.barnard-brak@ua.edu

• Dr. Greg Benner

  Helen and Pat O’Sullivan Professor of Special Education, Implementation Science

  

  Email

  benner@ua.edu

• Lisa Burgess

  Instructor, MAP

  

  Email

  lmburgess1@ua.edu

• Dr. Carol Donovan

  Professor, Literacy Education & MAP

  

  Email

  cdonovan@ua.edu

• Dr. Robin Ennis

  Professor, Special Education

  

  Email

  incoming fall 2024

• Dr. Marissa Filderman

  Assistant Professor, Collaborative Special Education

  

  Email

  mjfilderman@ua.edu

  Profile

• Dr. Olivia R. Hester

  Clinical Research Assistant Professor

  

  Email

  orhester@ua.edu

• Dr. Kristine Jolivette

  Paul & Mary Harmon Bryant Professor of Special Education

  

  Email

  jolivette@ua.edu

• Dr. Kristen Lamb

  Assistant Professor, Gifted Education

  

  Email

  knlamb@ua.edu

• Dr. Erica O. Lee

  Clinical Research Assistant Professor, Whole Child

  

  Email

  eolee1@ua.edu

  Profile

• Sharon Maughn

  Instructor, MAP

  

  Email

  smaughn@ua.edu

• Dr. Sara McDaniel

  Professor, Collaborative Special Education

  

  Email

  scmdaniel@ua.edu

  Profile

• Dr. Ragan McLeod

  Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education

  

  Email

  rhmcleod@ua.edu

• Dr. Robin McWilliam

  Professor, Early Childhood Special Education

  

  Email

  ramcwilliam@ua.edu

  Profile

• Dr. Elizabeth Michael

  Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education

  

  Email

  elizabeth.michael@ua.edu

• Dr. Kagendo Mutua

  Professor, Severe and Profound Disabilities

  

  Email

  kmutua@ua.edu

• Dr. Kimberly Odom

  Clinical Assistant Research Professor, SPEMA

  

  Email

  kpodom@ua.edu

• Dr. Courtney O’Grady

  Assistant Professor, Early Childhood & Early Intervention

  

  Email

  ceogrady3@ua.edu

• Dr. Lauren Rollins

  Assistant Research Professor

  

  Email

  jlhart@ua.edu

• Dr. Sara Sanders

  Assistant Research Professor, SPEMA

  

  Email

  sara.sanders@ua.edu

• Dr. Carol Schlichter

  Professor Emerita, MAP

  

  Email

  cschlich@ua.edu

• Dr. Elizabeth Stewart

  Assistant Research Professor

  

  Email

  incoming fall 2024

• Dr. Nicole Swoszowski

  Department Head and Professor, Multiple Abilities Program

  

  Email

  nswosz@ua.edu

• Dr. Kimberly Tomeny

  Clinical Associate Professor, Early Childhood Special Education

  

  Email

  krtomeny@ua.edu

• Dr. Amy Williamson

  CrossingPoints Program Coordinator

  

  Email

  amwilliamson@ua.edu

• Delores Willis

  Administrative Assistant II

  

  Email

  dwillis@ua.edu

• Tamela Wilson

  Administrative Assistant II

  

  Email

  twilson@ua.edu