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Special Education

Course Code
SPED 225  Credits
Title Individuals with Exceptionalities 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course traces the path of disability laws beginning with the Civil Rights movement and preceding court cases and provides an introduction to the recognition, incidence, educational, and lifelong needs of individuals with exceptionalities. Personal and societal views regarding cultural and linguistic diversity will be explored. A wide range of educational services are studied with emphasis on the shared responsibility of all professionals in education, community, and professional settings, and introduces students to the wide-range of professionals involved with exceptional individuals. 



Course Code
SPED 402  Credits
Title Characteristics of Students with Mild Disabilities 
Prerequisite SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A study of definitions, identification, assessment, characteristics, educational strategies, and program models for children and youth with high-incidence, mild disabilities. The course will specifically focus on the high-incidence disabilities of Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, High Functioning Autism, Mild Developmental/Cognitive Disabilities, and other mild disabilities such as Other Health Impairments and ADHD. 



Course Code
SPED 403  Credits
Title Methods: Mild Disabilities 
Prerequisite SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Course addresses teaching theories, strategies and techniques for teaching students with mild disabilities including Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, High Functioning Autism, Mild Developmental/Cognitive Disabilities and other related mild disabilities such as Traumatic Brain Injury and Other Health Impairments (ex: ADHD). Course covers teaching methods across specific content areas as well as assistive technology and other teaching practices(ex: co-teaching). 



Course Code
SPED 404  Credits
Title Best Practices in Teaching I 
Prerequisite SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course represents the first in a sequence of two courses designed to deepen students’ understanding of current educational best practices. Emphasis will be placed on systems utilized for prereferral and referral, including the use of data; common differentiated instruction practices such as Universal Design for Learning and positive behavior supports; and the development of collaboration and communication skills. Students will be expected to apply grade level content standards to classroom and individualized plans for instruction. 



Course Code
SPED 410  Credits
Title Methods and Strategies of Special Education Assessment 
Prerequisite STL 388 SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course will cover basic concepts of assessment and the assessment process and procedures that are utilized in data-based decision making and program planning for students with disabilities in an academic or functional curriculum. This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to select, ethically administrate, score, interpret, and report results from various standardized and non-standardized assessment tools used in the field of special education as well as to utilize data for progress monitoring and educational decision making. This course will also review the legal and cultural contexts of assessment in special education. 



Course Code
SPED 410L  Credits
Title Special Education Lab 
Prerequisite STL 388 SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Supervised practicum experience in middle school or high school special education setting. To prepare students to work at this level this lab will focus on teaching strategies and program analysis as well as strongly focus on assessment strategies. SPED 410 is to be taken concurrently. Prerequisite and concurrent course substitutions require instructor consent. 



Course Code
SPED 413  Credits
Title Best Practices in Teaching II 
Prerequisite SPED 225 SPED 404 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course is the second in a sequence of two courses focused on current best practices in teaching students with identified needs. The course places emphasis on the use of technology including assistive technology in a variety of instructional settings. Students will also expand their knowledge of instructional strategies and lesson planning connected to state and/or Common Core standards. 



Course Code
SPED 413L  Credits
Title Special Education Field Experience 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Course is taken currently with SPED 413: Best Practices in Teaching II. Students will complete a field experience in a special education setting. Focus of the field experience will be assessment, methods, and instructional environment. 



Course Code
SPED 414  Credits
Title IEP Policies and Methods 
Prerequisite SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description This course will address key issues regarding the collaborative development of the Individual Education Plan (IEP). The IEP is the cornerstone of services for students identified as having a specific disability in need of special education services. Students will learn best practices for collaborative IEP development and creation. The development of a clearly written document including all parts of the IEP will be drafted and finalized into accurate, sound documents. 



Course Code
SPED 419  Credits
Title Biomedical Aspects 
Prerequisite SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course is designed to help you understand medical aspects and terminology, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, kinesiology, neurology, secondary health care issues, accompany specific physical and health disabilities, specific condition needs, managing personal physical care, first aid techniques, and evacuation procedures. Prerequisite substitutions require instructor consent. 



Course Code
SPED 430  Credits
Title Foundation of Reading and Writing Methods 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description In this first of two literacy intervention courses, candidates will learn pedagogy that supports the development of reading and writing. By knowing and understanding the foundation of literacy & literacy instruction, candidates will begin to explore instructional practices, focusing on developing a holistic framework for teaching. 



Course Code
SPED 431  Credits
Title Survey of Autism Spectrum Disorders 
Prerequisite SPED 225 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course is designed to immerse the learner in text, research, and data describing the characteristics and defining qualities of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The significance of early identification and intervention across the five primary autism spectrum disorders will be analyzed. Best practices for intervention including collaboration, communication, and observation strategies will be introduced. 



Course Code
SPED 436  Credits
Title Communication Strategies & Social Skills for Students with ASD 
Prerequisite SPED 531 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course will focus on identifying and meeting the social and communication needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Course participants will learn to develop effective interventions and education strategies for teaching communication skills while addressing and supporting the development and the maintenance of social skills. Curriculum content will address skills across environments. 



Course Code
SPED 443  Credits
Title Consultation and Collaboration in Special Education and Human Services 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Understanding and development of professional consultation and collaboration skills to initiate and apply appropriate and effective teaming techniques for assessment, intervention, and evaluation via transdisciplinary approaches for special needs students/clients and their caregivers. This course should be taken concurrently with Practicum course or Student Teaching. 



Course Code
SPED 445  Credits
Title Methods of Reading Intervention 
Prerequisite SPED 225 SPED 430 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Second in a series of two methods courses where candidates will learn and apply knowledge and pedagogy that support the development of reading and writing in children with disabilities. By knowing and understanding the premise of literacy development and intervention, candidates will explore effective instructional, assessment, and intervention practices. 



Course Code
SPED 447  Credits
Title Physical & Health Disabilities 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course is designed to provide you with up-to-date information on the needs of the students in your school who have experienced periods of poor health or physical adversity. This course provides you an understanding of how students' illnesses or disabling condition affect their everyday lives. Prerequisite substitutions require instructor consent. 



Course Code
SPED 451B  Credits 8-10 
Title Student Teaching: SLD 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Student teaching in public school settings for pupils with specific learning disabilities. Prerequisite substitutions require instructor consent. Licensure coursework must be completed prior to enrollment in this course. 



Course Code
SPED 451C  Credits 8-10 
Title Student Teaching: E/BD 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Student teaching in public school setting for pupils with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. Prerequisite substitutions require instructor consent. Licensure coursework must be completed prior to enrollment in this course. 



Course Code
SPED 451D  Credits 8-10 
Title Student Teaching: Developmental Disabilities 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Student teaching in public school elementary or secondary setting for pupils with mild/moderate disabilities. Prerequisite substitutions require instructor consent. Licensure coursework must be completed prior to enrollment in this course. 



Course Code
SPED 452E  Credits 1-2 
Title Senior Level Field Experience 
Prerequisite Successful completion of all previous practicum experiences 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Supervised field experience for Elementary Inclusive Education students. This experience takes place the semester just before student teaching. Students will demonstrate proficiency in knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to successfully student teach the following semester.