The University of Lynchburg’s Master of Education in Special Education program has been approved by the Virginia Department of Education to offer courses leading to two new endorsements: Special Education Deaf and Hard of Hearing (PreK-12) and Career and Technical Education — Transition and Special Needs. Both options meet a critical need in the state of Virginia.

To be eligible for the Special Education Deaf and Hard of Hearing endorsement, students must complete the MEd in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing emphasis.

The University of Lynchburg has one of only two state-approved programs in Virginia that lead to licensure in this area. With a critical shortage of special educators across the Commonwealth, particularly in the deaf and hard of hearing endorsement category, this new emphasis will help address the need for qualified educators.

Miranda Slusser, a former American Sign Language professor at Lynchburg, and Dr. Rebecca Dilling, assistant professor of arts and sciences, played a significant role in the creation of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing emphasis.

“It deeply saddens me to realize the negative impact that the significant shortage of teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing has on students across the United States who need… specialized training and services,” Dilling said.

“However, the University of Lynchburg is now becoming a part of the solution by offering a pathway toward decreasing the shortage of trained teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing through the now state-approved and developed deaf and hard of hearing endorsement.

“As the University trains more highly specialized teachers, the needs of students who are deaf and hard of hearing across the U.S. can be met, school success can increase, and futures can be even brighter!”

Applicants for this emphasis need to meet additional admissions criteria, including four American Sign Language classes, a qualifying score of 2+ on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview, or an intermediate score on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview: ASL.

Lynchburg also is offering a path to the Career and Technical Education — Transition and Special Needs add-on endorsement. Students who complete the MEd in Special Education with an adapted curriculum specialization are now eligible for a Virginia state teaching license with endorsements in both Special Education Adapted Curriculum and the add-on endorsement in CTE — Transition and Special Needs.

This multi-endorsement will qualify educators to support students at the secondary level as they transition from high school into postsecondary education and training.

“By adjusting the curriculum, we’ve made it more efficient for teachers to earn both the Adapted Curriculum and CTE — Transition and Special Needs add-on endorsement in one go,” explained Dr. Lucinda Spaulding, program director for the MEd in Special Education.

“This not only saves time and effort but also adds significant value to their degree and ability to support students preparing for life beyond high school.”

To learn more about the Master of Education in Special Education program, visit the program’s webpage.