Deaf Education is the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Kent State University's program provides students the skills needed to work with students of varying levels of hearing, and to cater lessons to the child's individual needs.

The Deaf Education program provides students with the coursework and field experiences necessary to be licensed in the field of special education in the area of deaf education. Students pursuing this program will be prepared to teach learners ages 3-21 who have been identified with hearing loss (deaf or hard of hearing).

Please contact Dr. Karen Kritzer for more information.

Deaf Education Resources

• Deaf Education Professional Resources and Organizations
• SLPI Testing
• CEC Professional Standards

The Disability Services concentration prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities who have a wide variety of support needs in a broad array of settings (e.g., vocational, residential, community).

Students in this concentration progress through highly-structured coursework and field experiences to learn evidence-based practices to teach leisure, social, adaptive and life skills to individuals with disabling conditions. Students can tailor the program to their specific interests by selecting from a wide array of elective coursework. Students who complete this program are not eligible for licensure as special educators/intervention specialists in the state of Ohio.

Students in the Disability Services concentration may apply early to the M.Ed. degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Disability Services Program Highlights

• Combined bachelor’s/master’s program with Rehabilitation Counseling
• Option to add on Minor in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Early Intervention, and/or Disability Studies (and others)
• One-to-one advising each semester to keep you on track and ensure timely graduation
• Excellent program reputation; graduates are highly sought after
• Energetic and passionate faculty who are invested in student success
• Highly structured special coursework that begins freshman year
• Extensive field experiences enable students to experience a wide range of students, settings, and professional roles
• Interdisciplinary coursework including general education, speech pathology, and nursing

For more information about the Disability Services concentration, please contact SPED faculty advisor Dr. Sloane Burgess.

The Mild to Intensive Dual License (MIDL) concentration prepares prospective special educators to become licensed by the State of Ohio to teach students with mild/moderate AND moderate/intensive disabilities in any grade, K-12. Being dually licensed in mild/moderate and moderate/intensive needs expands employment opportunities! 

The Mild to Intensive Dual License program engages students in hands-on coursework and field experiences that focus on evidence-based methods for meeting the special educational needs of children and youth with disabilities, ages five to twenty-one (grades k-12). This program is well-suited to a wide range of career interests in terms of where, who, how, and what students prefer to teach. Students are prepared to fulfill a wide range of professional roles that involve working directly with children with disabilities in a variety of settings (general education classrooms; resource or pull-out classrooms; self-contained classrooms; special/alternative schools; hospital and residential settings).

Students in this program gain competence in effective instruction, classroom and behavior management, assessment and evaluation, collaboration with other professionals, assistive technology, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and school-wide multi-tiered systems of support. This program prepares students to meet all requirements for a K-12 special education teaching license in Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs. In addition to working as teachers, some Mild to Intensive graduates secure professional positions in community-based residential and/or vocational programs for adults with disabilities. 

Mild to Intensive Dual License (MIDL) Program Highlights

• Eligible for two special education licenses; expands employment options
• One-to-one advising each semester to keep you on track and ensure timely graduation
• Excellent program reputation; graduates are highly sought after
• Option to add on Minor in Autism Spectrum Disorder or Early Intervention
• Energetic and passionate faculty who are invested in student success
• Highly structured special education coursework that begins freshman year
• Extensive field experiences  enable students to experience a wide range of students, settings, and professional roles
• Interdisciplinary coursework including general education, speech pathology, and nursing

For more information about the Mild to Intensive concentration, please contact SPED MIDL faculty advisor Dr. Andrew Wiley.

The Primary Intervention Specialist Education (PRISE) concentration prepares future Early Childhood Special Education professionals to teach and support young children with and without disabilities from Pre-K through grade 5. Graduates earn an Ohio teaching license in Primary Intervention (P-5) and are qualified to work in early intervention, inclusive classrooms, self-contained classrooms, special schools, and community-based early childhood programs.

The PRISE program engages students in hands-on coursework and field experiences that focus on evidence-based practices for supporting the developmental and educational needs of preschoolers and young children. The program emphasizes developmentally appropriate practice, IFSP and IEP implementation, specially designed instruction, coaching/teaming, and interdisciplinary collaboration, equipping graduates with the skills to effectively individualize, to teach,  and to advocate on behalf of young children and their families.

Program Overview

The PRISE program prepares students to meet the diverse needs of young learners through authentic, field-embedded experiences and faculty mentorship.

This program is ideal for students who want to:

• Support children’s development across all domains from Pre-K through grade 5

• Team with a variety of professionals in early intervention and school settings

• Implement individualized, evidence-based instruction and intervention (with expertise in IFSPs and IEPs)

• Foster inclusive environments that promote belonging, engagement, and participation for all children and families

What You’ll Learn

Students in the PRISE program gain knowledge and skills in:

• Assessment – Conducting developmental and educational assessments for eligibility, instruction, intervention, and progress monitoring.

• IFSP & IEP Development – Creating and implementing individualized plans that emphasize teaming, strengths, capacity-building, and family priorities.

• Child Development – Understanding developmental trajectories from birth through early elementary years.

• Teaming & Collaboration – Working effectively with educators, therapists, and families as part of interdisciplinary teams.

• Family Empowerment – Building trusting, empowering partnerships with families using routines-based approaches for planning and intervention.

• Evidence-Based Instruction – Applying research-supported strategies to promote meaningful learning, coaching, and progress.

• Ohio Standards & Guidelines – Using Ohio’s Operating Standards and Early Learning Standards to promote educational benefit for all learners.

Primary Intervention Specialist Education (PRISE) Program Highlights

• Ohio P-5 Intervention Specialist Licensure – Prepares graduates to serve children with disabilities and their families from birth through grade 5.

• Field-Embedded Learning – Extensive field experiences and student teaching in inclusive early childhood and special education settings.

• Expert Faculty – Learn from leaders in Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, and Inclusive practices.

• Personalized Advising – Small classes, one-to-one guidance each semester to ensure smooth progression and timely graduation.

• Commitment to Inclusion and Interdisciplinary Practices – Focus on family empowerment, interdisciplinary teaming, coaching, and learner engagement as foundations for best practices in teaching and learning.

• Career-Ready Preparation – Graduates enter the field ready for credentialing and employment in county boards, schools, inclusive classrooms, and community-based programs.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the PRISE program are well-prepared for roles such as:

• Early Childhood Special Education Teacher / Intervention Specialist in preschool or primary classrooms

• Intervention Specialist (P-5) in public, private, or charter school settings

For More Information

For more details about the Primary Intervention Specialist Education (PRISE) concentration, please contact:
Dr. Sanna Harjusola-Webb
Dr. Ching-I Chen
Early Intervention & Early Childhood Special Education
Kent State University