Requirements & Courses
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Special Education - Learning Disabilities Major (K-12 Major Elementary)
Thirty-six credits, which must include:
- EDC-151, 152, 250, 255, 205, 301, 374, 375, 376, 504, 505, 506;
- For certification, take and pass the MTTC Special Education - Learning Disabilities test.
- 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 learning disabilities.
- No course graded below 2.0 (C) may count toward a Special Education Major; 2.75 GPA is required. Mathematics and English are recommended as the content endorsements for Special Education Majors.
Courses
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EDC105.Introduction to Special Education-Field1 creditPrerequisite: EDC-150 concurrentlyLearn 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. Required for Special Education K-12 major. Winter only.
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EDC150.Introduction to Special Education2 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-105 concurrentlyIntroduction 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.
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EDC205.Special Education Clinical I1 creditPrerequisite: EDC-151 and 152Work with students 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 a student’s learning. Thirty hours of clinical experience.
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EDC250.Introduction to Learning Disabilities4 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-151 or 152Characteristics of individuals with learning disabilities. Interventions and services including diagnosis, assessment, and specific remedial techniques. Correlating factors leading to identification. Implementation of evidence-based practices through lesson planning and hands-on experience. Ten hours of clinical experience.
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EDC255.Transition Mgmt in Special Education4 creditsPrerequisite: EDC 151 or EDC 152 or Sophomore StandingPreparation of exceptional students for transition to adulthood. Life skills and Social-Emotional Learning. Barriers and challenges which interfere with high school completion and transitioning to the post-secondary setting will be discussed. 10 hours of clinical experience.
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EDC350.Instructional Design in Special Edc4 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255; TEP ApprovalExamination 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, odd years.
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EDC355.Understanding Stu w/Learning Disability4 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255; TEP ApprovalExploration 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.
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EDC405.Curriculum Mthds in Special Ed - Field1 creditPrerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 255, 350, 355; TEP Approval; EDC-450 concurrentlyDemonstration 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, odd years.
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EDC450.Curriculum Methods in Special Education3 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 255, 350, 355; TEP Approval; EDC-405 concurrentlyPreparation 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, odd years.
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EDC453.Assess and Remediation in Special Ed4 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255, 350, 355, 405 and 450; TEP Approval; EDC-455 and 495 concurrentlyThis 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 work full-time in the field during the final 6-weeks of this course to study the content in the field. Fall only.
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EDC455.Special Ed Student Teaching Seminar3 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255, 350, 355, 405, 450; TEP Approval; EDC-453 and 495 concurrentlyWork 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 only.
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EDC495.Special Education Student Teaching6 creditsPrerequisite: EDC-105, 150, 205, 250, 255, 350, 355, 405 and 450; TEP and ST Approval; EDC-453 and 455 concurrentlyAn 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 only.
