Special Education

• Our teacher education program is nationally accredited through CAEP.
• Students get classroom experience within the first 5 weeks of the program.
• Students learn reflective practice techniques so that they continue to be the best teachers in their field, year after year.
• Students are mentored by PhD-level faculty who model being excellent educators by caring for students and calling out each students' gifts. 

At many colleges students don’t get into the classroom until their third year. At EMU it's different. 

• At EMU, teacher education students are in local classrooms, observing and learning, by their fifth week of classes.
• Local school divisions are richly diverse in culture, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
• Field experiences are embedded throughout program so that teacher education students are in the field nearly every semester.
• Students are in a classroom full-time during student teaching, and receive regular feedback and assistance from the classroom teacher and an EMU representative.
• Students may choose more than one student teaching placement to experience multiple classroom settings and locations. 
• Student teachers also participate in Reflective Teaching Seminar class which provides additional support to students during the student teaching semester and covers valuable topics such as preparing for job searches and interviews.

• The Virginia Department Of Education reported in 2017 a shortage of more than 6,000 teachers.
• Harrisonburg and Rockingham County school supervisors seek EMU teacher-education graduates.
• The average starting salary for teachers in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County Schools is $44,000
• EMU teacher-education graduates often move on to graduate school to further specialize and often give leadership in administrative leadership roles.
• 96% of 2019-20 program graduates who sought positions in education were employed in education settings and graduated with an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.66.
• 100% of program graduates pass the state licensure exams.

• Declare an education major and you may be eligible for a  $3000 renewable scholarship.
• Virginia students may be eligible for a Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG).

• 99% of undergrads receive financial aid
• The average assistance package is over $37,000
• Over $21 million in aid is awarded each year

Financial aid packages often include:

• Grants and scholarships
• Work-study positions
• Loan opportunities

Learn more by contacting  EMU's Financial Assistance Office or checking out our net price calculator.