Overview
The Collaborative Teacher Program (CTP) leads to a undergraduate or graduate degree with certification at the Alabama Class “B,” “A,” or “AA” level, with endorsement at the elementary level as a Collaborative Special Education Teacher (K-6) and/or at the secondary level as Collaborative Special Education Teacher (6-12). Students are trained to serve students in co-taught, self-contained, and resource classrooms. Our program provides students with well balanced course work and practical experiences leading up to culmination internship. CTP interns experience student teaching in both elementary and secondary school settings.
Program Coordinator: Dr. Nicole Swoszowski
“The Collaborative Teacher Education program here at The University of Alabama perfectly aligns with the attributes of a great special education teacher. Special Education requires a teacher to be flexible and open minded to what is best for their students and the faculty within our department can be described in just that way. Entering a field as broad as special education can be daunting, but with the training and clinical experience from this program, I can say that I am prepared for a lifetime of diverse students with an array of differences.” — Ryan Knight
“The Collaborative Special Education program at the University of Alabama has given me more than just a teaching degree. It has molded me into an individual that I am proud of. This program provides not only the knowledge needed to make a difference in a child’s life, but also the passion to fight for what means the most to you. I owe so much to this university and without this program and the wonderful professors I wouldn’t be the teacher or individual that I am today.” — Maria Christine
“The collaborative special education program has prepared me exceptionally well for the real world of teaching. I have been taught how to appropriately accommodate instruction for a variety of students to receive instruction with their typically developing peers. My dream is to teach in a self-contained classroom to help the severe population make a smooth transition into society. The collaborative program has prepared me to accomplish this dream by showing me the importance of student-centered instruction, community involvement, and building positive relationships with my students and their families. As a future educator, I believe the collaborative Special Education program has helped gain the necessary skills in changing not only the lives of individuals with disabilities, but also contributing to changing the mindsets that society has on this population. I am so grateful that this department has helped me gain the confidence to have a voice in society for those people whose voices might not be heard.” — Ashleigh B.
Programs
- BSE in Special Education (certification in Collaborative Teacher Program (K-6 or K-6 & 6-12))
- MA in Special Education (certification in Collaborative Teacher Program (K-6 or K-6 & 6-12))
- MA in Special Education (alternative) (certification in Collaborative Teacher Program (K-6 or K-6 & 6-12))
- EdS in Special Education (certification in Collaborative Teacher Program (K-6 or K-6 & 6-12))
Faculty
