Biology - Major in Biology Program

Students choosing to major in Special Education (PreK-12) must dual major in Early Childhood Education (PreK-4).

SPE 250 Cognitive Development of Diverse Learners

This course is designed to introduce all categories of disability. Specific attention will be given to the potential cognitive, physical, social, behavioral, and language differences in children with disabilities. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to lecture, case study discussions, and writing instruction. Students will be expected to write two papers (totaling 3,000 words) researching various aspects of disability. Writing instruction will be provided throughout this course. The instructor will provide substantive written and/or oral feedback through individual writing conferences, which will be held throughout the semester. In addition, this course has a two hour per week required field experience. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Course restricted to Education majors. 3 credits.

SPE 255 Special Education Processes and Procedures

This course will begin with a historical overview of the field of special education, including key legislation and litigation that drives current practice. Assessment tools for diagnosing disability will be introduced, as well as assessment tools for documenting student progress. In addition, collaboration and communication skills essential for working as a part of the special education team will be practiced and further developed. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to lecture, field experiences, and hands-on experience with various assessments. Two hours per week of fieldwork is required. 3 credits.

SPE 260 Evidence Based Effective Instruction in Educating Students Identified with a High Incidence Disability

This course is designed to provide in-depth study of the high incidence disabilities (i.e., specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and other health impairments). Specific attention will be given to the etiologies of various diagnoses, their prevalence, and their characteristics. Students will be prepared to offer special education using a least restrictive environment-school wide delivery model. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to: lecture, case study discussions, project based learning, and text analysis. Prerequisites: SPE 250, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

SPE 263 Intensive Math and Content Area Intervention Approaches

The focus of this course will be on systematic, direct instruction approaches for teaching mathematics to students in grades PreK-8 who perform below grade level. In addition, this course will address adaptations and accommodations for the content areas of social studies, science, and health for those students with disabilities who read below grade level and therefore, have difficulty reading grade level text. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to hands on activities, lesson planning, small group work, and application projects. Prerequisites: SPE 250, permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

SPE 266 Evidence Based Effective Instruction in Intervention Approaches Educating Students Identified with a Low Incidence Disability

This course is designed to provide in-depth study of the low incidence disabilities (i.e., autism, developmental delay, multiple disabilities, deaf-blindness, visual impairments, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, traumatic brain injury). Specific attention will be given to the etiologies and medical aspects of these diagnoses, their prevalence, and their characteristics. Instructional planning and assessment of student progress for these populations will be emphasized. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to lecture, case study discussions, research papers, and text analysis. Prerequisites: Restricted to education majors. 3 credits.

SPE 269 Positive Behavioral Supports - Evidence Based Behavioral Intervention and Prevention

This course will begin with study of behavior theories and researchers, as well as principles of applied behavior analysis. Students will learn how to use functional assessment of student behavior to hypothesize the functions of behavior and to plan appropriate and positive interventions. Students will learn how to measure and record behavioral data. Focus will be on prevention of problem behavior as well as how to manage challenging behaviors, both from a classroom and a school wide perspective. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to lecture, case study applications, field experiences, lesson plans, and research papers. 3 credits.

SPE 350 Services and Strategies in Secondary Special Education

This course is designed to enrich special education pre-service teachers' skills in working with students beyond grade 8. Topics will include transition services and age-appropriate instruction and reinforcement. Pre-requisite: SPE-250 and SPE-255 3 credits.

SPE 360 Intensive Language Arts Intervention Approaches

The focus of this course content will be on intensive language arts interventions for those students with disabilities who need systematic, direct instruction in order to become competent readers and writers. A variety of literacy programs will be examined, as well as language arts strategies and approaches which have been found effective for struggling readers. The requirements for a writing process course will be fulfilled through a case study paper and a research paper. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to case study papers, research papers, student presentations, simulations, field experiences, hands-on experience with various literacy programs, and lesson plans. Prerequisites: Restricted to education majors. 3 credits.

SPE 363 Assessment in Special Education

This course will involve an in-depth examination of assessment, to include universal screenings, diagnostic assessments to diagnose disabilities, authentic assessments, and benchmark, formative, and summative tools. Students will practice administering and scoring various assessments. They will analyze student progress data and use that data for writing IEP goals and for instructional planning. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to text analysis, field experiences, case study analyses, and hands-on experience with various assessments. Prerequisites: Restricted to education majors. 3 credits.

SPE 366 Collaboration and Communication - Advocacy, Leadership, and Ethical Practice

This course will begin with an examination of the professional and ethical standards expected of both general and special educators. Review of special education legislation and litigation will be conducted as it relates to safeguarding student health and welfare and in order that special education certifiers will have the knowledge to effectively advocate on behalf of their students with disabilities. In addition, collaboration and communication skills will be practiced and further developed through co-teaching opportunities and participation on special education teams. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to field experiences, class discussions, simulations, and reflective writing. Fulfills requirement: Oral Communication. Prerequisites: Restricted to education majors. 3 credits.

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