RSED Description

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RSED Overview

Over 55 million people in the United States have a disability and the number affected more than doubles when we consider their families and significant others. Rehabilitation and Special Education's mission is to positively affect the quality of life for these individuals at all ages. Toward this end, the department dedicates itself to the pursuit and accomplishment of excellence in instruction, research, and outreach.

The department adheres to Auburn University 's mission to provide outstanding programs in instruction, research, and outreach. Based on criteria such as quality and production, RSED was ranked 23^rd among the university's 68 academic departments, a "high priority" designation according to the university's 21^st Century Plan. This designation has added value since it comes from a university consistently ranked among the top 50 public universities in the country, as reported in U.S. News and World Report's issue of America's Best Colleges.

DEGREES	B.A., B.S.	M.Ed. M.S.	Ph.D.
Early Childhood	X	X*	X
Special Education	X	X*	X
Rehabilitation	X	X*	X

*offers a distance education option

RSED's academic programs prepare competent professionals who are committed to improving upon the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Early Childhood Special Education and K-12 Collaborative Teaching are both state-approved certification programs. The undergraduate program in Rehabilitation is one of 12 nationwide that is chartered with the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). The graduate program in Rehabilitation Counseling is also CORE accredited, and continues to be ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News and World Report.

Since 1990, an RSED faculty of 12 has yielded over 1,300 graduates to assume roles of prominence in their careers serving individuals with disabilities. Through the undergraduate and master's programs, competent and committed students are prepared for practitioner roles in special education and rehabilitation. Through the Ph.D. program, professionals are prepared for careers in research and instruction in higher education, or leadership roles in administration and policy-making at the state and national levels.

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