Special Education Teaching Minor
Prepare to teach diverse learners with developmental disabilities.
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Empower Every Learner to Reach Their Full Potential
The Special Education Teaching Minor at Concordia University Irvine prepares you to support and teach students with diverse learning needs and developmental disabilities. You’ll learn to adapt lessons, design individualized education plans (IEPs), and create inclusive classrooms where every student can thrive.
Through coursework focused on assessment, collaboration, and literacy instruction for diverse learners, you’ll develop the skills and empathy needed to serve children across a wide range of abilities.
Whether you plan to pursue an Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Support Needs Credential or simply want to make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities, this program equips you to teach with understanding, patience, and purpose.
Note: EDSP 204: Introduction to Teaching Diverse Populations is needed for program acceptance, which is required before you can take any EDSP 400-level classes. EDSP 301: Typical and Atypical Development of Diverse Learners is also needed if you’re planning to earn a credential.
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Meet Our Faculty
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Cari Chittick
Director of Lutheran Teaching Programs and LCMS Placement, Professor of…
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Kathy Mueller
Administrative Assistant to the Dean/Assistant Director of Events and Partnerships
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Sandra Mercier
Director, MAEd Learning, Design, and Technology & Curriculum & Instruction
FAQs
What can I do with a Special Education Teaching Minor?
This minor provides foundational preparation for those who want to teach or support students with mild to moderate disabilities. It pairs well with majors such as Liberal Studies, Psychology, or Behavioral Sciences and can serve as a pathway toward earning a Education Specialist Mild Moderate Support Needs credential.
What is the job outlook for special education teachers?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for special education teachers was $64,270 in 2024. Employment is projected to decline slightly through 2034; however, about 37,800 openings are expected each year as teachers retire or move into other roles.1
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Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (Viewed Oct. 30, 2025).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.