Special Education Major

Major Courses (49 credits minimum):

A grade of C or better is required in each course as well as a minimum grade point average of 2.5. The professional education component in special education consists of three specific areas of classwork. Each subsequent area has the previous area as a prerequisite. Area I courses are those that can be taken prior to admission to Becoming a Complete Professional I. Area II courses are those that require admission to Becoming a Complete Professional I.  Area III courses require the student to be eligible for Becoming a Complete Professional II. 

Early and continuous experiences with children in school settings are included throughout the professional education component and are an integral part of the professional courses. These practicum experiences are required to successfully complete each professional course. A practicum experience may be required of any SPED designated course. Students completing a double major with another teaching area may be exempted from some of these courses.

Area I (9 credits):

• SPED 203 - Preschool Special Education 3 credits
• SPED 226 - The Exceptional Learner in the Regular Classroom 3 credits
• EPSY 202 - Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence 3 credits

Area II (28 credits):

• SPED 215 - Behavior Management 3 credits
• SPED 216 - Collaborative Teaching 3 credits
• SPED 314 - Math Strategies and Assessment 3 credits
• SPED 318 - Differentiated Reading 3 credits
• SPED 321 - Special Education Law and Procedures 3 credits
• SPED 400 - Secondary School, Community, and Family Interactions 3 credits
• SPED 425 - Advanced Behavior Management 3 credits
• CIMT 400 - Teaching III 3 credits
• CIMT 400L - Teaching III Practicum 1 credits
• EPSY 341 - Education in a Multicultural Society 3 credits

Area III—Student Teaching (minimum of 12 credits):

• SPED 405 - Supervised Student Teaching in Elementary Education Inclusive Setting and Special Education Resource Setting—Mild Intervention 5-13 credits
• SPED 457 - Special Education Capstone 3 credits

NOTE:

Students who will complete the Special Education Major as a double major with Elementary Education do not need to take SPED 457 or SPED 318. Students completing the Special Education Major with a secondary content area do not need to take SPED 457 or SPED 203.