In accordance with our accreditation agency, the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP), the following information is provided on this website.
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 students 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 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
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
| 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. Kristen Lamb | knlamb@ua.edu |
| Multiple Abilities Program (MAP) | Sharron Maughn | smaughn@ua.edu |
| Severe Disabilities | Dr. Kagendo Mutua | kmutua@ua.edu |
| Ph.D. | Dr. Sara McDaniel | scmcdaniel@ua.edu |
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
Doctoral Degrees
IMPORTANT LINKS
FACULTY & STAFF
Deb Bonner
Accounting Specialist, Dean’s Office and Administrative Assistant, Special Education
Carol Donovan
Professor of Literacy Education and Multiple Abilities, Special Education
Robin McWilliam
Professor of Early Intervention & Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education
Kagendo Mutua
CrossingPoints Program Executive Director and Professor of Severe & Profound Disabilities, Special Education
Courtney O’Grady
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood & Early Intervention, Special Education
Nicole Swoszowski
Department Head and Professor of Multiple Abilities, Special Education
Amy Williamson
CrossingPoints Program Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor, Special Education