Miami University introduces new Inclusive Education major

Miami University is introducing a new Inclusive Education major to address the current needs of local classrooms, including educators who are proficient in teaching students with and without disabilities, those who speak English as a second language, and students who come from different cultural and social backgrounds. The Bachelor of Science in Education with blended licensure will prepare students for four credentials: Primary Education PK-5, Special Education Mild to Moderate Intervention K-12, Special Education Moderate to Intensive Intervention K-12, and TESOL Endorsement.

According to an article on Miami University’s website, Ashley Cartell Johnson, who serves as the assistant chair of Educational Psychology and the Inclusive Special Education program coordinator, was quoted as saying of the new major, “Schools need and desire educators who can teach diverse groups of students, work in collaborative teams, and foster positive and inclusive environments. By creating a blended Inclusive Education major, we are modeling what we hope to see in the field: cohesion rather than separation between general and special education. Not only does this approach prepare our teacher candidates to be more effective educators, but it also makes them more marketable to schools seeking versatile teachers.”

The new major will prepare individuals to work with students of varying abilities, treat them all with respect and honor their humanity, and provide all students with an equitable and accessible education. Individuals will receive fieldwork opportunities and will take courses that will teach them to develop accessible curricula and implement them inside their open classrooms.

Amity Noltemeyer, the dean of the College of Education, Health, and Society, said, “In today’s diverse classrooms, teachers who have training and experience working with a range of learners are increasingly valued. Students pursuing this major will be in high demand and have a range of employment opportunities, and they will be able to effectively serve learners with a variety of educational needs.”

The webpage for the Inclusive Education major notes that students will take courses like Human Development and Learning in Social and Educational Contexts, Exploring Disability Studies, Phonological Awareness and Phonics, Inclusive Methods I: Moderate/Intensive, and Capstone: Data-Based Decision-Making and Intervention, among others.

For more information about Miami University, visit the school’s website.