To rise to the challenge of rapid social changes and to deepen the professional knowledge, our department has established the graduate program since 2001. Teachers Colleges have been well known for nurturing outstanding teachers at elementary school level. However, the mission of our graduate program is expected to go beyond this traditional characteristics. Accordingly, it aims to re-crew those excellent elementary normal/special classroom teachers and those enthusiastic individuals in different fields, who are interested in updating their knowledge, renewing their teaching strategies, in provoking their research potentials and in caring those children with special needs. When graduate students complete their degree, they can serve at all kinds of careers such as teaching, research and all other related fields such as institutions for individuals with special needs.
Our undergraduate program not only offers a general special education program but also provides three sub-fields under this program: giftedness, special education for children with special needs and social work. When undergraduates try to complete the general program requirements, they can fulfill the basic requirements to get a certificate as a special educator in their focused area at the same time. In addition to teaching, they may also serve as researchers and coordinators or social worker of special education programs in public school settings, institutions or related fields. Pursuing graduate degrees in all educational areas opens other career opportunities for our undergraduates.
In addition to the theory, our undergraduate program emphasizes practical experiences. This program offers many practicum activities for the undergraduates to help them become familiar with the real school environments and real children with special needs in both regular classes and special classes at the elementary school level. Moreover, it helps these undergraduates build their professional spirits and abilities. Our programs emphasize the development of a positive and supportive learning environment for all the students both in graduate and undergraduate levels. All faculty are available every day to offer consultations to ease the learning or living difficulties for all the learners. Our faculty work hard to establish an example for all the learners that “we care” and “we will be here for you even when you get out of school”. We are gentle but firm in keeping the quality of future teacher preparation.