Special Needs Education

Exceptional Needs Education - B.S.

K-6, P-12 Certification

 

The Exceptional Needs program is designed to train teachers to serve persons who require mild interventions (a Severe and Profound program is also available for students who wish to add this certification to their teaching license). It is consistent with new state standards that call for a major (rather than minor) in exceptional needs. The focus is also on a non-categorical approach. Graduates of the program have a(n):

  1. Understanding of the provision of special education in the regular classroom environment.
  2. Effective use of state-of-the-art methods in special education.
  3. Knowledge of effective service delivery models for learners with disabilities.
  4. Awareness of alternative resources for serving learners with disabilities.
  5. Skill in working with families of learners with disabilities.
  6. Skill in working with other professionals and agencies to assure quality programs.
  7. Attitude of lifelong learning as a special education professional.

Four guiding principles are foundational to the exceptional needs program:

  1. God created all persons, including persons with disabilities, and each is valuable (Psalm 139:13-16).
  2. When included as part of society, persons with disabilities have something to offer (I Corinthians 12:12-26).
  3. The task of the educator is to teach persons with or without disabilities to fulfill their role in society (I Thessalonians 5:14).
  4. Acceptance of these individuals, as they are, is a primary and essential part of teaching (John 4:5-27).

Two versions of the Exceptional Needs major are available. Each consists of general education requirements, a Professional Core common to each major, Exceptional Needs courses specific to each major, and elective courses. In addition, a Severe and Profound program may be added to any Exceptional Needs major.

GENERAL EDUCATION

45-54

LDR-150

Introduction to Life Calling

3

Humanities Core

12

ENG-180

Humanities World Literature

3

HST-180

Humanities World Civilization

3

MUS-180

Humanities Fine Art

3

PHL-180

Humanities Philosophy

3

Biblical Literature

6

BIL-101

Old Testament Survey

3

BIL-102

New Testament Survey

3

Advanced Writing or Literature

3

 

Advanced Writing OR

 

 

Literature > 200

3

Health and Wellness

2

PHE-101

Concepts of Health and Wellness

1

PHE

Activity Elective

1

Social Sciences and Psychology

9

PSY-150

General Psychology

3

SOC-150

Principles of Sociology

OR

(does not meet Intercultural Competency)

3

SOC-210

Minority Group Relations

(Meets Intercultural Competency)

 

Elective

Taken from ECO, HST, or POL

3

Science/Mathematics

7

Lab Science

4

Math/CIS Elective

3

Competencies and Proficiencies

3-9

Writing Competency

0-3

Speech Competency

3

Intercultural Competency

0-3

PROFESSIONAL CORE

42

Stage A - Introduction

4

EDU-130

American Education

3

EDU-200

Educational Technology

1

Stage B - Acquisition

6

EDS-215

Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Settings

3

PSY-276

Psychology of the Exceptional Learner

3

Stage C - Integration

16

EDS-350

Assessment in Special Education

3

EDS-350P

Assessment Practicum

1

EDS-361

Behavior Management in Special Education

3

EDS-370

Public Policy and Special Education

3

EDS-385

Special Education Practicum I

3

EDS-386

Special Education Practicum II

3

Stage D - Application

16

EDS-496

Student Teaching

15

EDS-494

Student Teaching Seminar

1

 

 

EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS, K-6 MAJOR

 

Add the following courses to the Professional Core:

Stage B - Acquisition

6

EDU-290

Elementary Education in a Pluralistic Society

3

PSY-251

Child Development

3

Stage C - Integration

8

EDS-381

Methods for Teaching Children with Exceptional Needs

3

EDS-354

Language Arts Methods

2

EDS-388

Developmental Reading

3

K-6 Exceptional Needs Program

124

General Education

45-54

Professional Core

42

K-6 EXN courses

14

Electives

14-23

EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS, P-12 MAJOR

 

Add the following courses to the Professional Core:

Stage B - Acquisition

6

EDU-240

Educational Psychology

3

EDU-250

Principles of Teaching

3

Stage C - Integration

14

EDS-324

Literacy for Adolescent with Exceptional Needs

3

EDS-354

Language Arts Methods

2

EDS-381

Methods for Teaching Children With Exceptional Needs

3

EDS-382

Methods for Teaching Adolescents with Exceptional Needs

3

EDS-388

Developmental Reading

3

 

 

P-12 Exceptional Needs Program

124

General Education

45-54

Professional Core

42

P-12 EXN courses

20

Electives

8-17

Severe and Profound

9

Severe and Profound certification may be added to any Exceptional Needs major by taking the following courses:

EDS-331

Critical Issues in Severe Disabilities

3

EDS-332

Community-Based Instruction, Supports and Services

3

EDS-333

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

3

Course descriptions are available through the Course Description Lookup.