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Special Education B.S.ED.

Special Education Program Goals

The goal of the Special Education program is to prepare teacher candidates for entry to special education professional practice with knowledge and skills and skills to practice safely, ethically and effectively with a multi-categorical population of students with special needs. Special education candidates must master appro­priate core academic subject matter as well as be prepared for the complex challenges of teaching individuals with exceptional learning needs. The Special Education program seeks to prepare students to:

Apply specialized pedagogical knowledge subject matter content.

Master appropriate core academic subject matter content.

Demonstrate instructional strategies and assessments that are developmentally appropriate for diverse learners.

Observe, document, and analyze characteristics, behaviors and learning environments of populations with special needs.

Demonstrate professional dispositions and ethical practice through collaborative interactions.

Apply effective verbal and non-verbal communication, multi-media, and using current technology skills in special­ized settings.

Special Education majors must complete 36 hours of essential studies. The following Essential Studies courses require a minimum grade of "C": COMM 110, ENGL 110, ENGL 120 or ENGL 125, GEOG 103, MATH 103 or MATH 104, and PSYC 111. Follow all prerequisites for the Teacher Education program.

A list of approved essential studies courses is available here.

Criteria for Admission, Continuance, and Exiting the Teacher Education Program

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • SLO 1: Learner & Learning: Students understand diversity in learning and developmental processes and create supportive and safe learning environments for students to thrive.

  • SLO 2: Content: Students understand subject matter deeply and flexibly so they can advance their students’ learning, address misconceptions and apply ideas to everyday life.

  • SLO 3: Instructional Practice: Students will plan instruction, utilize effective instructional strategies and technologies, and continuously assess students for mastery and decision-making purposes.

  • SLO 4: Professional Responsibility: Students will take responsibility for student learning, collaborative relationships, their own professional growth, and the advancement of the profession.

Core Requirements

A minor or second major is not required with this program.

Special Education Core Courses

SPED 300Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis

3

SPED 336/EC 336Social & Emotional Development & Guidance in ECE

3

SPED 338/EC 338Home, School, Community Relations

3

SPED 344Augmented and Alternative Communication

3

SPED 350/EDUC 350Reading Assessment and Intervention

3

SPED 351/EDUC 351Remedial Reading Practicum

1.00-2.00

SPED 382Intellectual Disabilities

3

SPED 383Intellectual Disabilities Practicum

1.00-2.00

SPED 384Emotional Disturbance

3

SPED 385Emotional Disturbance Practicum

1.00-2.00

SPED 386Learning Disabilities

3

SPED 387Learning Disabilities Practicum

1.00-2.00

SPED 388Autism Spectrum Disorders

3

SPED 389Foundations of Special Education

3

SPED 395Transition

2

SPED 396Special Education Law

3

SPED 397Assessment of Students with Disabilities

3

Total Credit Hours:47

Professional Education Courses

Professional Education Courses

EDUC 250Introduction To Education

3

EDUC 272Educational Technology

2

EDUC 290/PSYC 290Theories of Learning and Management

2

EDUC 307Math Strategies in the Elementary and Middle School Classroom

3

EDUC 318Reading in the Elementary School

3

EDUC 324/HIST 324North Dakota Studies

1

EDUC 380Teaching English Language Learners

2

EDUC 381Human Relations and Cultural Diversity

3

EDUC 390Special Needs in an Inclusive Environment

3

EDUC 400Student Teaching

10

EDUC 401Electronic Portfolio, Assessment, and Seminar

2

EDUC 401SPre-Student Teaching Seminars

0

EDUC 422/PSYC 422Educational Assessment

2

EDUC 480General Methods For Secondary Educators

4

PSYC 255Child and Adolescent Psychology

3

Total Credit Hours:43

Total Credit Hours: 126