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Special Education B.S.ED.

Special Education Program Goals

The Special Education program aims to prepare teacher candidates for professional practice by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to work safely, ethically, and effectively with students who have diverse special needs. Candidates will master core academic subjects and be ready to face the complex challenges of teaching individuals with exceptional learning needs. The program focuses on preparing students to:

  • Master core academic subjects.
  • Apply specialized pedagogical knowledge.
  • Use developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and assessments.
  • Observe, document, and analyze characteristics and behaviors of students with special needs.
  • Demonstrate professional dispositions and ethical practices through collaboration.
  • Utilize effective communication, multimedia, and current technology 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 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

EC 336Social & Emotional Development & Guidance in ECE

3
EC 338Home, School, Community Relations

3
EDUC 350Reading Assessment and Intervention

3
EDUC 351Reading Assessment and Intervention Practicum

2
SPED 289Foundations of Special Education

3
SPED 300Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis

3
SPED 344Augmented and Alternative Communication

3
SPED 382Intellectual Disabilities

3
SPED 383Intellectual Disabilities Practicum

2
SPED 384Emotional Disabilities

3
SPED 385Emotional Disabilities Practicum

2
SPED 386Learning Disabilities

3
SPED 387Learning Disabilities Practicum

2
SPED 388Autism

3
SPED 395Transition

2
SPED 396Special Education Law

3
SPED 397Assessment of Students with Disabilities

3
Total Credit Hours:46

Professional Education Courses

EDUC 250Introduction To Education

3
EDUC 272Educational Technology

2
EDUC 290Theories of Learning and Management

2
EDUC 307Elementary and Middle School Math Methods

3
EDUC 318Elementary Reading Methods

3
EDUC 380Teaching English Language Learners

2
EDUC 381Human Relations and Cultural Diversity

2
EDUC 390Special Needs in an Inclusive Environment

3
EDUC 400Student Teaching

10
EDUC 401Electronic Portfolio, Assessment, and Seminar

2
EDUC 401SPre-Student Teaching Seminars

1
EDUC 422Educational Assessment

2
EDUC 480General Methods For Secondary Educators

3
PSYC 255Child and Adolescent Psychology

3
Total Credit Hours:41

Total Credit Hours: 126