The Department of Special Education 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 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
IMPORTANT LINKS
CONTACTS
| Program | Coordinator | |
|---|---|---|
| Autism | Dr. Lucy Barnard-Brak | lucy.barnard-brak@ua.edu |
| Collaborative SPE, Undergrad | Dr. Amy Williamson | amwilliamson@ua.edu |
| Collaborative SPE, MA | Sharron Maughn | smaughn@ua.edu |
| Collaborative SPE, EDS | Dr. Lucy Barnard-Brak | lucy.barnard-brak@ua.edu |
| Early Childhood Special Education | Dr. Ragan McLeod | rhmcleod@ua.edu |
| Gifted | Dr. Jennifer Jolly | jjolly1@ua.edu |
| Multiple Abilities Program (MAP) | Sharron Maughn | smaughn@ua.edu |
| Severe Disabilities | Dr. Kagendo Mutua | kmutua@ua.edu |
| Doctoral Programs | Dr. Nicole Swoszowski | nswosz@ua.edu |
FACULTY AND STAFF
Dr. Greg Benner
Helen and Pat O’Sullivan Professor of Special Education, Implementation ScienceEmail: benner@ua.edu
Dr. Kristine Jolivette
Paul & Mary Harmon Bryant Professor of Special EducationEmail: jolivette@ua.edu
Dr. Elizabeth Michael
Clinical Assistant Professor of Special EducationEmail: elizabeth.michael@ua.edu
Dr. Courtney O’Grady
Assistant Professor, Early Childhood & Early InterventionEmail: ceogrady3@ua.edu
Dr. Elizabeth Stewart
Assistant Research Professor
Dr. Kimberly Tomeny
Clinical Associate Professor, Early Childhood Special EducationEmail: krtomeny@ua.edu
