• To offer market driven courses and programmes in special needs education.
• To increase training opportunities for teachers in special needs education.
• To develop efficient, effective and creative personnel for inclusive education.
• To produce highly qualified special educators.
• To engage in research and create awareness on the rights and needs of learners with special needs.

Entry Requirements
Entry requirements will be as set out by the senate from time to time. A candidate for the B.Ed in Special Needs Education must satisfy the minimum entrance requirement or any of the following equivalents:

• KCSE with an aggregate of C plus (C+).
• Grade C (plain) in KCSE or its equivalent and a Diploma with a minimum of a credit in special needs education either in Distance Learning or Residential training from any recognized educational institution.
• KCE Division II, or Division III with PI/SI/Diploma, in regular or special education from any recognised educational institution.

Duration of the Course and Programme of Study
The programme extends over a period of four academic years, but a student may take a
shorter time through institutional unit transfer or credit waivers. To graduate with a Bed Special Needs Education (secondary   option) degree a student must have studied and passed a minimum of 62 units including credit waivers where applicable. Likewise to graduate with a B.Ed SNE (primary option) degree a student must have studied and passed a minimum of 62 units including credit waivers where applicable.

Mode of Study
Students admitted in the programme will study under ONE of the following modes:

• FULL TIME Residential
• FULL TIME Institutional-Based
• Open-eLearning

Examinations
University examination regulations shall apply.

Degree Pattern
Students can choose one of two degree patterns: the B.ED in SNE Primary option or the B.ED in SNE secondary option.

Secondary Option
This option is designed for students who wish to teach in secondary schools. Students who choose this option shall be required to take sixty-two (62) units: five (5) University common units, sixteen (16) education units, sixteen (16) units in special needs education, sixteen (16) units in a major teaching subject, and eight or nine (8-9)  units in another teaching subject (minor).

Primary Option
This option is designed for students who wish to teach in primary schools.  Students who choose this option shall be required to take sixty two (62) units: five (5) university common units, twenty-one (21) education units, which include 7 subject methods units, and twenty eight (28) special needs education units and a minor in subject of specialization as existing in the department of B.Ed program for example English or Kiswahili.

What the Department is currently embarking on
The Department has revised the undergraduate curricular both primary and secondary options in line with the major employer of our graduates - Teacher Service Commission (TSC) and private schools.  This means that any student who intends to teach in primary school – inclusive program or secondary upon completion is well taken care of and in line with government policy on Inclusion Education (2009).  The revised curriculum will be offered during school – based and regular programs.

Revision of the Postgraduate
Revision of Masters Program is on advance level.  We intend to have masters with project and masters with thesis which will be 18 and 14 units respectively.  Currently, The Masters in Special Needs Education is by thesis only.  We offer the course both in full time and school-based programs.

New Course: Postgraduate course in Psycho-Educational Assessment
The Department through the Directorate of teacher education has developed a very unique but useful course for assessors. 
Assessment of children and youth with special needs is a crucial component in education for learners with special needs.  The Department appreciates what the Ministry of Education has done so far in ensuring that children and youth are assessed in the Educational Assessment and Resource Centres (EARCs) for better placement and intervention.  To improve on the assessment of children and youth the department has developed a two year Postgraduate Diploma course in Psycho-Educational Assessment.  The course targets the following graduates:

• Those with Bachelor of Education and Master of Education in Special Needs Education.
• Bachelor of Education and Master of Education –
• Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Guidance and Counselling.
• Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts in Sociology.
• Doctors and Nurses, social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists with first degree.

PhD with Coursework
The development of PhD curriculum is at advance stage and it is hoped that it will be launched in 2013.

Collaboration with other institutions
The Department of SNE is open to collaborations through the Centre of International Programmes and Collaboration.  So far we are collaborating with Stadi Za Maisha – an Education Trust dealing children and youth who are gifted and talented.  We have 5 other potential collaborations on way and we hope they shall be finalized in 2013.