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Undergraduate Studies
Bachelor of Science in Education: Special Education
General Education requirements (46 hours required):
Students entering college first time, Fall 2002 should refer to the Introductory section of this bulletin for their General Education Requirements.
English and Communication (9 hours)
Englsh 1100, Composition
Commun 1030 or Commun 1040
Englsh 3100
Math (6 hours) 1150, Structure of Mathematical Systems I
Science (8-9 hours)
Biology (Laboratory)
Physical Science (Laboratory)
Humanities (8 hours)
Music 3770, Introduction to Music for the Elementary School Teacher (Recommended) plus two courses from art, music, philosophy, or literature
Social Science (18 hours)
Psych 1003, General Psychology
Hist 1001, American Civilization, or Hist 1002, American Civilization
Pol Sc 1100, Introduction to American Politics
Econ 3052, Microeconomics for the School Curriculum
Sociol 1010, Introduction to Sociology, or Any Anthropology course
Geog 1001 or 1002
Program Requirements (80 hours)
Related Area Requirements (6 hours)
Phy Ed 3430, Elements of Health Education
Phy Ed 3261, Physical Activity of the Exceptional Learner
Program Requirements (24 hours)
Level I: Exploring Education as a Profession
Tch Ed 2210, Introduction to Teaching
Tch Ed 2211, Introduction to Schools
Tch Ed 2212, Introduction to Learners
Level II: Analyzing the Nature and Process of Education
Tch Ed 3310, Introduction to Instructional Methods
Tch Ed 3312, Psychology of Teaching and Learning
Tch Ed 3313, Psychology of the Exceptional Child
Tch Ed 3315, Literacy Learning and Instruction
Cns Ed 3220, Counseling Individuals with Special Needs
Spc Ed 4315, Speech and Language Problems Exceptional Children
Spc Ed 4342, Transitions Issues and Planning
Spc Ed 3345, Education Programs for Students with Disabilities
Ed Rem 3721, Psychoeducational Assessment and Evaluation (3)
Level III: Synthesizing Theory and Practice in Education
Ele Ed 3336, Teaching Language Arts and Reading, N-9
Ele Ed 4246, Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School
Ele Ed 4253, Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School
Ele Ed 4341, Teaching Science in the Elementary School
Must take the following 6 credit hour course during the same semester as Special Education Professional Internship ( Spc Ed 4989 )
Ele Ed 4342, Addressing Needs in Mathematics Teaching & Learning (3)
Spc Ed 3346, Literacy Assessment & Reading for Students with Special Needs (3)
Spc Ed 3349, Cross Categorical Special Education II (3)
Spc Ed 4989, Special Education Professional Internship
Student Teaching
Spc Ed 4990, Student Teaching in Elementary Education (6)
Spc Ed 4991, Student Teaching in Special Education II (6)
Note: Spc Ed 4990 and Spc Ed 4991 must be taken during the same semester.
Attention education majors: Professional education courses must be completed with a grade point average of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C.
Graduate Studies
Master of Education: Special Education
The M. Ed. Program in special education includes a representation of the important core knowledge in Special Education. The primary goal is to empower professionals to be thoughtful teachers who use best practice when working with students with disabilities. Research and data-based decision making are emphasized throughout the program. Graduate students will translate research into practice in multiple courses and learn to analyze multiple types of assessment data. The M. Ed. Program in Special Education consists of an initial required core of courses; an opportunity to develop an area of specialization; and a capstone or exit course.
When graduate students are accepted into the program they are required to have their transcripts analyzed for state certification discrepancies. Students who wish to be certified in cross-categorical disabilities will be required to fulfill general certification requirements as well as graduate coursework. Upon completion of this advanced degree, professionals will have developed an in-depth knowledge-base related to
- various learning contexts within and outside of the school setting
- the multiple influences on educational practices in schools
- the characteristics and instructional needs of learners with disabilities
- assessment strategies for monitoring instruction
- instructional best practice
- using research to direct practice in the classroom
- diversity
- contexts that affect student learning
- the powerful interactions between setting events and specific learner outcomes
- a life-perspective of students with exceptional learning needs that addresses the need to successfully meet the needs of young children who transition into kindergarten as well as preparing older students for their transition into adulthood.
1) Required Core (9 hours)
Students are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study.
Tch Ed 6010, Examining History, Community, and Social Justice in Education (3 hours)
Tch Ed 6020, Teacher Action, Advocacy & Leadership (3 hours)
Tch Ed/Ed Psy 6030, Instruction, Learning & Assessment (3 hours)
2) Required Research Course (3 hours)
Ed Rem 6040, Educational Research for Teachers (3 hours)
3) Special Education Concentration (12 hours )
Spc Ed 6325, Advanced Behavior Management (3)
Spc Ed 6415, The Law & Special Education (3)
Ed Psy 6545, Consultation in Schools and Other Settings (3)
Spc Ed 6441, Instructional Methods for Exceptional Learners
4)Special Education Concentration Electives (6 hours):
Students may select at least 6 hours in one of the following concentration areas or any combination of 6 hours of special education electives with the approval of their advisor..
Positive Behavior Support
Spc Ed 6435, Schoolwide Systems of Positive Behavior Support (3)
Spc Ed 6436, Individual Systems of Positive Behavior Support (3)
Cross Categorical
Spc Ed 6345, Characteristics of Cross Categorical Disabilities (3)
Spc Ed 6349, Education of Learners with Cross Categories Disabilities (3)
Developmental Disabilities
Spc Ed 6430, Characteristics of Developmental Disabilities (3)
Spc Ed 6431, Education of Learners with Developmental Disabilities (3)
Learning Disabilities
Spc Ed 6443, Characteristics of Learning Disabilities (3)
Spc Ed 6444, Education of Learners with Learning Disabilities (3)
Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
Spc Ed 6450, Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (3)
Spc Ed 6452, Education of Learners with Emotional/Behavior Disabilities (3)
Early Childhood Special Education
Spc Ed 6462, Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education (3)
Spc Ed 6463, Curriculum, Methods, and Materials for Early childhood Special Education (3)
Disability Studies
Spc Ed 6410, Families and Schools in Inclusive Communities (3)
Spc Ed 6411, Law, Policy and Bureaucracy in Education and Disability Studies (3)
5) Capstone Course (3 hours)
Students must enroll in the capstone course during their last semester.
Tch Ed 6910, Teacher Action Research Capstone (3)
Total hours: minimum 33 credit hours
Total hours: minimum 33 credit hours
Career Outlook
The employment outlook for special Education teachers continues to be favorable, especially in certain positions. In addition to special classroom teaching, graduates of the area have been employed as resource‑room teachers, clinical diagnostic personnel, itinerant teachers, Educational resource teachers, consultants, Educational therapists, and sheltered workshop evaluators, and in various supervisory and administrative positions in agencies and schools. In combination with counseling, Educational psychology, physical Education, or other areas, careers can be planned in such occupations as vocational evaluator, counselor for special‑needs individuals, and special physical educators.