Special Education

Requirements & Courses

  • Special Education — Learning Disabilities (K-12 Major only) (Secondary or Elementary)

    Thirty-six credits which must include:

    1. EDC-150 (2 cr) with 105 (1 cr).
    2. EDC-250 (3 cr) with 205 (1 cr).
    3. EDC-255 (4 cr), 350 (4 cr), 355 (4 cr).
    4. EDC-450 (3 cr) with 405 (1 cr).
    5. EDC-453 (4 cr) and EDC-455 (3 cr) with 495 (6 cr).
    6. For certification, take and pass the MTTC Special Education — Learning Disabilities test.
    7. For Secondary Education majors, a candidate must complete the Secondary Education Program, a content endorsement area, and the Special Education Program to become endorsed in Special Education - Learning Disabilities. 

    No course graded below 2.0 (C) may count toward a Special Education — Learning Disabilities K-12 Major; a 2.75 GPA is required.

    It is highly recommended that Secondary Special Education candidates pass MTTC content test for their Teaching Major / Minor. Mathematics and English are recommended additional endorsements for Special Education Majors. 

    Special Education majors do not take EDC-373

Courses

  • EDC
    105
    .
    Introduction to Special Education-Field
    1 credit
    Prerequisite: EDC-150 concurrently
    Learn to identify patterns of students’ strengths and weaknesses, and specify intervention strategies to assist in learning. Introduction to the process of developing, implementing, and evaluating the progress of an IEP. Includes 30 hours of Elementary/Middle/High placement. Pass/Fail only. Required for Special Education K-12 major. Winter only. Graded Pass/Fail Only.
  • EDC
    150
    .
    Introduction to Special Education
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105 concurrently
    Introduction to characteristics and categories of exceptional children, birth through adulthood. Learn the rules and regulations concerning provision of special education and related services. Discussion of historical and legal issues. Learn to develop, implement, and evaluate the progress of an IEP. Required for Special Education K-12 major. Winter only.
  • EDC
    205
    .
    Intro to Learning Disabilities - Field
    1 credit
    Prerequisite: EDC-105 and 150; EDC-250 concurrently
    Work with children identified with a learning disability and collaboratively plan interventions/services including diagnosis, assessment, and specific remedial techniques. Experience the IEP process including the creation of goals and objectives which frame special education children’s learning. Identify and discuss rules of confidentiality. Includes 30 hours of Elementary/Middle/High placement. Pass/Fail only. Required for Special Education-Learning Disabilities K-12 major. Winter only. Graded Pass/Fail Only.
  • EDC
    250
    .
    Introduction to Learning Disabilities
    3 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105 and 150; EDC-205 concurrently
    Includes the study of the characteristics of children with learning disabilities and interventions/services for these individuals including diagnosis, assessment, and specific remedial techniques. Understand and implement research based theories and philosophies through lesson planning and field placement. Discussion of correlating factors leading to identification. Required for Special Education K-12 major. Winter only.
  • EDC
    255
    .
    Transition Mgmt in Special Education
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105 and 150
    Covers various life management theories in relation to all curriculum subjects. Students develop skills to effectively manage children’s behaviors and to be effective classroom managers. Engage in strategic planning in the areas of: study skills, self-management, problem solving, reasoning, coping skills, and self-determination skills. Fall only.
  • EDC
    350
    .
    Instructional Design in Special Edc
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255; TEP Approval
    Examination of the methods of identification, assessment, and instructional planning for individuals with learning disabilities. Curriculum design and modification/adaptation of instructional materials for struggling children in the special education and general education setting are covered. A variety of classroom practices and strategies which emphasize and promote individual motivation, classroom management, transition planning, the use of assistive technology, and meeting the needs of diverse children are analyzed. Required for Special Education-Learning Disabilities K-12 major. Fall 2019, Fall 2021.
  • EDC
    355
    .
    Understanding Stu w/Learning Disability
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255; TEP Approval
    Exploration of brain development and characteristics of children with learning disabilities from early childhood through adolescence. A focus on understanding ways of helping children with learning disabilities succeed through the use of instructional planning, technology, and inclusive education. Analysis of useful and creative strategies for teaching struggling individuals and understanding the importance and practicality of building support systems with parents, general education teachers, and other community resources. Required for Special Education-Learning Disabilities K-12 major. Winter only.
  • EDC
    405
    .
    Curriculum Mthds in Special Ed - Field
    1 credit
    Prerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 255, 350, 355; TEP Approval; EDC-450 concurrently
    Demonstration of the understanding of the IEP process by evaluating how goals and objectives are formulated to frame children’s learning. Goals within an IEP are identified and an instructional unit implemented incorporating appropriate teaching strategies. Individual growth as a result of the interventions is measured and the success of the instructional methods is analyzed and evaluated. Appropriate individual performance assessments are created. The ability to modify instruction based on assessment data is demonstrated. Includes 30 hours of Elementary/Middle/High placement. Pass/Fail only. Required for Special Education-Learning Disabilities K-12 major. Fall 2019, Fall 2021.
  • EDC
    450
    .
    Curriculum Methods in Special Education
    3 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 255, 350, 355; TEP Approval; EDC-405 concurrently
    Preparation and planning for the development of curriculum and individualized teaching methodology appropriate for individuals with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Basic principles of instructional design are discussed. Appropriate child performance assessments are created with students demonstrating the ability to modify instruction based on assessment data. Current practices and problems of instructing students with learning disabilities are addressed. Required for Special Education-Learning Disabilities K-12 major. Fall 2019, Fall 2021.
  • EDC
    453
    .
    Assess and Remediation in Special Ed
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255, 350, 355, 405 and 450; TEP Approval; EDC-455 and 495 concurrently
    This course provides pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to complete a comprehensive educational evaluation, interpret the results, and develop an instructional plan to address individual youth needs and deficits. Formal and informal assessment procedures are examined and include the evaluation of reading, language, mathematics, social/emotional development, vocational and transitional needs. Techniques for communicating test results are discussed. FERPA rules are addressed. Students will be working in the field on a full-time basies during the final 6-weeks of this course to study the content in the field. Fall or Winter as determined by department.
  • EDC
    455
    .
    Special Ed Student Teaching Seminar
    3 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255, 350, 355, 405, 450; TEP Approval; EDC-453 and 495 concurrently
    Work collaboratively to discuss strategic planning for students with learning difficulties. Design and prepare to implement models of collaboration that enhance the participation of special education students within the general education environment. Discuss current topics in special education. Fall or Winter as determined by department.
  • EDC
    495
    .
    Special Education Student Teaching
    6 credits
    Prerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255, 350, 355, 405 and 450; TEP and ST Approval; EDC-453 and 455 concurrently
    An 8 week directed teaching experience in a special education classroom setting under the guidance of a special education professional. The special education teacher and candidate work collaboratively to discuss strategic planning and accommodations for students with learning difficulties. The candidate will design and prepare to implement units of instruction and will work collaboratively to ensure learning for special education students in a pull-out setting and within the general education environment. Students will differentiate instruction for remediation and modify general education curriculum for student diverse learning needs. Fall or Winter as determined by department.