Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders

Competitive, Qualified, Ready to Work

UNO's Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders (SECD) is home to nationally ranked and unique student-centered programs. Our commitment to academic rigor assures you will be prepared for the challenges of your future occupation. The majority of our graduates are employed in high-demand areas such as speech-language pathology, special education and sign language interpreting upon graduation.

  • Dr. Mitzi Ritzman

    Associate Professor Dr. Mitzi Ritzman co-directs The Transitions Program, a peer-mediated social learning skills program providing opportunities for young adults on the autism spectrum. Read more

  • Dr. Julie Delkamiller

    Listen to Associate Professor Dr. Julie Delkamiller discuss her strong UNO ties, previous role as a high school teacher at the Iowa School for the Deaf, and her philosophy on education on a recent episode of Faculty Focus. Learn more

  • Sister Rosemary

    Special Education Alumna and founding member of the nonprofit Reading Drive for Africa, Sister Rosemary Arrah, has spent the last five years working with UNO students to provide books to youth in her native Cameroon. Read more

  • global engagement

    Committed to Enhancing Communities Locally and Globally Learn more

We offer:

Bachelor's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology, Sign Language Interpreter, Special Education, and Early Childhood Inclusive.

Master's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and Special Education

We have partnered with Educational Leadership to offer the new Special Education Supervisor endorsement.

Our commitment to accessibility includes distance-friendly options. Graduate programs in Behavior Intervention Specialist, Inclusion/Collaboration, and Special Education are all available online.

We recognize that learning is not exclusively restricted to the classroom. A combination of clinical experiences and service opportunities will support your academic coursework. This year alone, our on-campus Speech-Language Hearing Clinic, staffed by UNO faculty and students, provided more than 1,300 hours of clinical services.

At UNO you will benefit from an engaged and dedicated faculty as well as a metropolitan environment. Our department and UNO has strong ties within the Omaha community allowing for opportunities that increase your readiness for your future career and life in an ever-changing world.

Why Choose UNO?