College of Education and Human Development

Department of Educational Psychology

Undergraduate programs

As an undergraduate in the Department of Educational Psychology, you can earn your degree and licensure in special education,  work towards a minor in applied psychology in educational and community settings or educational psychology research, learn ASL, or study abroad.

Undergraduate degrees and teaching licensures

Each of our undergraduate programs is designed for those who want a traditional on-campus experience and those working full-time who are looking to finish their bachelor's degree and earn their teaching license.

    Special education BS with academic behavioral strategist licensure

    Earn your bachelor's of science (BS) in special education and academic and behavioral strategist (ABS) teaching license in four years, through in-person and online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach students with mild-moderate disabilities in K-12 school systems.

    Special education BS with early childhood special education licensure

    Earn your bachelor's of science (BS) in special education and early childhood special education (ECSE) teaching license in four years, through in-person and online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with delays/disabilities in a wide variety of home, community, and school settings.

    Foundations of special education BS

    Gain expertise in the field of special education to expand its reach in schools and society. This degree does not lead to a teaching license.

    Minors

      Applied psychology in educational and community settings minor

      Increase your knowledge, skill level, and experience working with children and youth in a variety of settings. You'll become familiar with the field of educational psychology, acquire knowledge and skills conducting research and/or serving in educational and community contexts. And you'll apply your knowledge and skills through a hands-on practicum experience.

      Careers:

      This minor is a good choice for students who wish to pursue future graduate education in educational psychology, social work, counseling, college student personnel, youth development, teaching, or other related fields.

      Educational psychology research minor

      Study the psychological processes critical to education. Put your research to work— in local schools and with members of diverse communities—to help our neighbors succeed at school and work.

      Careers:

      • Faculty (after completing a PhD) training the next generation of researchers and scientist-practitioners in: psychological foundations of education, quantitative methods in education, school psychology, special education, and related fields
      • Research scientists at: universities and other educational settings, companies, government agencies, human and social service organizations, health care organizations, and research and development centers

      Special education minor

      Increase your knowledge, skill level, and experience in working with children with special needs in educational settings. As you become more familiar with the field of special education, this minor offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge in teaching methods for children with mild to moderate academic, social/emotional, and behavioral needs in order to increase their academic potential.

      Careers:

      This minor is a good choice for preservice Elementary and DirecTrack teacher candidates, Developmental and Child Psychology majors as well as others who wish to learn more about methods to help children with special needs be more successful in classroom settings.

      Certificates

        Online autism spectrum disorder certificate

        As a student in the ASD certificate program, you’ll receive specialized training in assessment, intervention, and treatment evaluation. You’ll leave the program equipped with the most effective instructional and behavioral methods for working with individuals with ASD from infancy to age 21. Additional areas of focus include: ethical issues related to treatment delivery, the need for supervision by qualified professionals, and the limits of candidates’ individual skills.

        Careers:

        • Speech-language pathologists, occupational
        • Physical therapists
        • Medical professionals
        • Social workers
        • Educational professionals, including special education majors, who would like to gain additional content knowledge about working with individuals with ASD

        Talent development and gifted education certificate

        Develop, implement, and supervise programs to teach gifted and talented students in K-12, postsecondary schools and other settings with a certificate in talent development and gifted education.

        Careers:

        • Teachers
        • School administrators
        • Education professionals
        • Other individuals with an interest in K-12 and postsecondary schools

        Language classes

        American Sign Language

        American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the fastest growing languages in the United States and is the indigenous language of the Deaf community. ASL is a natural, visual, non-spoken language with its own distinct grammatical structure. The shape, movement, and location of the hands, facial expressions and body are used to communicate with one another. ASL as a visual language, uses a different modality of communication compared to spoken languages. ASL courses at the University of Minnesota can be used to fulfill your second language requirement.

        Study abroad

        Field Experience in Denmark: Exploring Community, Culture, and Education

        Gain firsthand experience in Danish schools and communities. During your seminar, you'll: Observe classrooms, participate in field studies, and hear from local educators. Visit lively cultural centers such as Kronborg Castle and Tivoli Gardens. Explore connections between Viking history and Minnesota.

        Faculty and staff

        To connect with American Sign Language faculty, please visit the ASL program page.

        Robert Henery

        Lecturer

        Suzanne Loch

        Senior teaching specialist

        Charissa O'Neill

        Special education field placement coordinator, teaching specialist

        Kathy Seifert

        Director of undergraduate studies, teaching associate professor

        Amy Kunkel

        Assistant teaching professor, special education licensure coordinator, ABS program lead

        Jennifer McComas

        Rodney S. Wallace Professor for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

        Laura Paczkowski

        Academic advisor

        Martin Van Boekel

        Teaching assistant professor