Special Education (K-12)

The special education program is a professional preparation program that gives you an in-depth understanding of disabilities in addition to knowledge of the developmental, academic, and social needs of children and adolescents. Students planning to teach children with disabilities must complete the professional core as outlined by the Department of Education and follow the course of study specifically designed for either the Interventionist (K-8 or 6-12) or Comprehensive (K-12) licensure area. This comprises a full semester of integrated professional practicum experience and one full semester of student teaching in public school settings.

Degree Requirements

B.S. Major in Special Education

(K-8 Interventionist; 6-12 Interventionist; K-12 Comprehensive)

Program Coordinator: Dr. Aundrea McFall

126 HOURS

For a complete listing of requirements for graduation, see Academics: Degree/Graduation

   
I. Liberal Arts Core Requirements  34 hours 

listed in this catalog under Academics: Liberal Arts Display

Limit III. A. Behavioral Sciences to SOC 241 General Sociology

Limit III. B. BIO:  100, 105, 110, 111, 112, or 211 (must include related lab)

Limit III. C. 1. History to HIS 221 American History I or HIS 222 American History II

Limit III. C. 2. Critical and Creative Works to Literature (ENG 215, 225, or 235)

Limit III. C. 3. Humanities Capstone to HUM 495 Values in Human Thought 

 

II. Additional Liberal Arts Core Requirements for the Major

6-7 hours

A. Choose one (1) of the following Fine Arts courses:

3 hours

ART 110

Art Appreciation 

(3)

ART 201  Introduction to Photography (3) 

ART 234

Introduction to Creativity (W)

(3)

MUS 110

Music Appreciation

(3)

MUS 214

The Development of American Music 

(3)

THE 160

Introduction to Theatre

(3)

THE 265

Acting I 

(3) 

THE 299A  New York Theatre Survey (3)
     

B. Choose one (1) of the following Science courses:
(must include related lab)

3-4 hrs

PHS 111

Physical Science I OR

3

PHS 112

Physical Science II 

(3)

 OR:

   

CHE 121

General Chemistry I  WITH

(3)

CHE 121L

General Chemistry II Lab 

(1) 

     

III. Major Professional Core for Special Education (K-12):

43 hours

EDU 130 Introduction to Education (W)
 3
EDU 250  Professional Reflective Seminar I  2
PSY 201  Child Development and Lab   3
PSY 306  Educational Psychology (W)   3
     
     Must be admitted to Teacher Education to take the following:  
EDU 310  Literacy I: Emergent Literacy Methods Across Content Areas 
EDU 311  Literacy II: Literature and Literacy (W)  
EDU 327  Tests and Measurement 
EDU 330  Teaching Mathematics: Methods, Strategies, & Techniques  
EDU 350*  Professional Reflective Seminar II   1
EDU 428*  Classroom Management 
RDG 312  Literacy III: Teaching Literacy 
     
     Must be admitted to Student Teaching to take the following:  
EDU 448  Student Teaching, K-12  12 
EDU 450  Professional Reflection and Planning Seminar III 


 

IV. Choose one (1) of the following areas of emphasis:

9 hours

A. K-8 Interventionist:

EDU 415*

Literacy IV: Teaching Methods Across Content Areas

(3)

SPE 347 

Practical Applications in Special Education 

(3) 

SPE 461

Characteristics and Needs of Exceptional Children I

(3)

OR:

 

B. 6-12 Interventionist:

EDU431E*

Educational Methods, Strategies, and Techniques, Secondary

(3)

SPE 449 

Transitional and Vocational Education 

(3) 

SPE 471

Characteristics and Needs of Exceptional Children II

(3)

OR:

 

C. K-12 Comprehensive:

EDU 415*

Literacy IV: Teaching Methods Across Content Areas

(3)

SPE 471

Characteristics and Needs of Exceptional Children II

(3)

SPE 483 

Health and Related Issues 

(3) 

 

IV.  Additional Required Courses for Licensure:

27-30 hours

HEA 216  Personal Health   3

MAT 206

Real Number System

 3

POL 231

American Government

 3

SPE 240  Special Education Foundations (W)   3
SPE 348  Technology and the Special Education Teacher   3 
SPE 441  Differentiated Instruction and Intervention   3
SPE 444  Managing Behaviors of Students with Special Needs   3 
SPE 447  Assessment in Special Education   3 
SPE 448  Consultation with School, Family, and Community   3 
     
Plus one (1) of the following: 0-3 hours 

HEA 217

First Aid and CPR   OR
First Aid/Red Cross Certification

(3)

(0)

 

VI. Electives (including additional Bible)

7-9 hours

   
*These courses must be taken together the semester prior to student teaching.