2024-2025 Undergraduate General Catalog


SPED - Special Education

SPED 120 Introduction to Special Education

This course provides a survey of current knowledge on individuals with disabilities. It is a course requirement for all education majors and is also recommended as a supplemental course for those planning on working with people with special needs (i.e., Sociology, Psychology, OT, and PT minors/majors). Content includes historical factors, legislation, characteristics, educational strategies, existing and emerging technologies, assessment, and support services for individuals with disabilities ranging from mild to severe. Students examine various areas of exceptionality, including both high incidence (LD, EBD, ASD, and CI) and low incidence disabilities. Course includes a service learning experience of approximately 10 hours.

Credits

3

Offered

Every Fall and Spring

SPED 236 Foundations of SPED Instruction

 This foundational course provides a comprehensive overview of teaching students with diverse disabilities. Students will gain insights into various disabilities, including intellectual, sensory, physical, and emotional challenges, and learn about IDEA requirements, least restrictive environments, evidence-based interventions, collaborating with families, and fostering a positive and accessible learning environment. The course includes an 8-hour field experience and is required for students with a special education major or minor and is valuable for students whose career aspirations involve working with children with disabilities in educational settings.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SPED 120

Offered

Every Spring

SPED 258 Seminar in Special Education

This course provides opportunities for students to design and apply knowledge and skills through an in-depth study of selected topics of current interest in special education, particularly in the areas of planning, instruction, management, collaboration, diversity, transition, and assistive technology. Students will be given specific fieldwork assignments such as attending a student support team meeting and an IEP transition meeting, conducting interviews with teachers and parents, and observing in a classroom setting that uses assistive technology.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SPED 120 or concurrent enrollment in SPED 120

Offered

Every Fall

SPED 280 Practicum: Children and Youth with Disabilities

This field experience requires 75 hours of observation and direct participation in a school or agency that serves children or adolescents with disabilities. Students are required to reflect upon and document their experience through journals, case studies and artifacts. The practicum is supervised and requires pre-registration clearance.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SPED 120

Offered

Every Interim

SPED 296 Curricular Practical Training

Students on an F-1 visa are eligible to work off campus to provide additional experience so long as the employment relates directly to the student's major area of study. The practical experience gained outside the traditional classroom supplements the theoretical and/or applied knowledge as a part of the student's coursework. The registration process for this course must be completed every term (including summers), as students must have their work authorization reissued each term to ensure continued enrollment. Jobs must be approved and verified by the International Programs Office before work may begin.

Credits

0

SPED 299 Independent Study

Special topics in all aspects of special education. Individual work in an on-campus or an off-campus project.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

Permission of Department Chair

Offered

Every Fall, Interim, Spring, and Summer

SPED 301 IEP Development

This course focuses on conceptualizing and developing high-quality Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) for students with mild and moderate disabilities. Students will use assessment data from case studies for drafting, revising, and finalizing annual review and three-year re-evaluation IEP's that meet the requirements of state and federal special education legislation. 

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SPED 280; Recommend Junior/Senior Standing

Offered

Every Spring

SPED 312 Assessment in Special Education

This course introduces students to the instruments and procedures used when identifying and evaluating students with disabilities. Basic test and measurement concepts will be applied to the administering, scoring, and interpreting of commonly used standardized assessment instruments. Students will be given brief field experience opportunities related to assessment (attend a K-12 school-based team assessment meeting; conduct a skills-based assessment; conduct standardized assessments with volunteers).

Credits

3

Offered

Every Fall

SPED 336 Methods in Instruction and Intervention for Students with Disabilities

This course will emphasize methods and techniques used in instruction for students with disabilities. A review of current research and practices will be provided to provide a perspective of the field for special educators and classroom teachers. Major course topics will be developing goals, systematically designed instruction, adapting curriculum, task analysis, explicit instruction, feedback, error analysis, progress monitoring, independent practice, and intensive instruction. Added emphasis will be provided on content-specific instruction in reading, mathematics, and written language. Course includes a field experience of 10 hours.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SPED 236

Offered

Every Fall

SPED 357 Methods for Managing Students with Challenging Behavior

In this course students will learn evidence-based practices based upon applied behavior analysis for managing challenging behaviors in the classroom and community (e.g., students with autism spectrum disorders and emotional/behavioral disorders). The processes for conducting functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and developing function-based interventions and behavior support plans will be discussed and practiced. Students will be trained in the applications of strategies including differential reinforcement and antecedent-based interventions. Methods will highlight prevention and intervention, including the importance of establishing relationships, building resilience, and creating encouraging environments. Course includes a field experience of approximately 10 hours. 

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SPED 258

Offered

Every Spring

SPED 397 Topics:

Special topics in special education.

Credits

1- 4

SPED 399 Independent Study

Special topics in all aspects of special education. Individual work in an on-campus or an off-campus project.

Credits

1- 4

Prerequisites

Permission of Department Chair

Offered

Every Fall, Interim, Spring, and Summer

SPED 487 Student Teaching: Special Education

Provides the opportunity for the student teacher to engage in classroom teaching under the direction and supervision of a qualified classroom teacher.

Credits

1-12

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor; Senior standing

Offered

Every Fall, Interim, and Spring