Professional Organizations

Department of Special Education graduate students are encouraged to be involved in professional organizations. Participation in these organizations enable students to learn more about the field; develop strong communication and leadership skills; and network with students, faculty, and professionals locally, statewide, and nationally.

• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

  The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) works to improve the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC also has divisions for specific areas of interest, including divisions for various disability categories, early childhood, cultural diversity, secondary transition, special education administration, and research leadership.

• American Education Research Association (AERA)

  Strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.

• American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

  AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our own faculty member, Dr. Jim Thompson, will be President of AAIDD beginning in Fall 2013.