Special Education (SPED) Graduate Course Descriptions
SPED 503. Special Education Foundations.
Historical and philosophical background of special education; an overview of disabling conditions and their implications; legal bases; resources; and advocacy. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 504. Program Overview and E-Portfolio.
Overview of the programmatic standards for general and special education, how these standards are integrated in special education curriculum, and e-portfolio requirements for documenting acquisition of the above standards. 1 credit F, S, SUM.
SPED 505. Behavior Theories and Practices in Special Education.
A proactive approach to the assessment and management of behavior problems in the classroom. Includes functional assessment, ecobehavioral analysis, cognitive strategies, and crisis prevention. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 508. Developmental Screening and Assessment of Young Children.
Philosophy, procedures and methodologies used to conduct developmental screening. 2 credits DEMAND.
SPED 511. Special Education Procedural Safeguards.
Preferral, referral, identification, and placement process; legal and professional aspects. Due process requirements. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 512. Psycholinguistics.
Symbolic processes involved in communication. Interpretation of data. 2 credits DEMAND.
SPED 513. Mathematics and Technology for Students with Special Needs.
Evaluate, prescribe, and manage mathematical instruction for students with special needs; technology and implications for special education service delivery. 3 credits F.
SPED 515. Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs
Classroom use of technology and its direct and indirect impact on the delivery of services for students with disabilities. Commercial and teacher-developed assistive technology and devices. Prereq.: 403/503. 3 credits DEMAND.
SPED 516. Individualized Assessment in Special Education.
Administration and interpretation of standardized instruments used in the identification of students with developmental disabilities, physical/health disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities. Prereq.: 300 or 503, CEEP 361. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 518. Literacy in General Education for Special Educators.
Basic techniques for reading and language arts diagnosis and teaching in the general education classroom. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 519. Literacy Instruction for Students with Special Needs.
Adaptive teaching techniques and materials for reading and language arts. Informal assessment including curriculum-based evaluation and instruction. Prereq.: 203/503, MATH 330; ED 371 (minors only). Coreq.: for SPED 419 (majors): SPED 411, 416, 455. 4 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 520. Characteristics of Students with Physical, Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Characteristics and development of students with physical, health, and developmental disabilities. Prereq.: 203 or 403/503. 3 credits F, SUM.
SPED 521. Characteristics of Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders.
Characteristics of and issues related to students with learning and behavior disorders including psychosocial, educational, vocational, and leisure outcomes. Prereq.: 203 or 403/503. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 525. Teaching K-12 Learners with Special Needs.
Characteristics and needs of students identified with disabilities or who are "at-risk" for failure in general education classrooms. Techniques and strategies to facilitate the inclusion of these students in general education, including instructional modifications, classroom behavior management, promoting social acceptance, and modifying the classroom environment to accommodate learners with special needs. 2 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 531. Collaboration Skills and Transition Planning in Diverse Settings.
Analysis and application of various collaboration methods for working with agencies, educational staff and multicultural populations. Students with disabilities in transition from secondary to post secondary environments. Coordination of multiple service agencies in those transitions. Prereq.: or coreq.: 203 or 403/503. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 538. Elementary Mainstream Field Experience for the Special Educator.
Field experience in an elementary regular education classroom for the special educator. Prereq.: 403/503, 418/518, MATH 330, CEEP 262. 2 credits F, S.
SPED 545. Social and Natural Sciences Instruction for Special Educators.
Research supported strategic teaching practices, adaptations, and modifications for students with disabilities in content area classes and in reading, math, oral and written expression, and listening comprehension. Prereq.: 403/503. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 553. Practicum in General Education for the Special Educator.
Field experiences in general education (elementary/secondary) settings. Prereq.: 403/503. 1-2 credits F, S.
Special Education (SPED) Courses for Graduate Students Only
SPED 601. Trends and Problems in Special Education.
Seminar in trends and issues relating to special education services including assessment, service delivery and programming for students with disabilities. Prereq.: 505, 511, 516, 509, 521, or 520, 531. 3 credits F.
SPED 602. Research in Special Education.
Techniques and interpretation of research in special education. Problem definition, research design, reporting results and manuscript preparations. Prereq.: 505, 511, 516, 519, 521 or 520, 531. 3 credits F, S.
SPED 603. Applied Research in Special Education.
Opportunity to complete independent research with a faculty mentor. May include qualitative and quantitative research design, policy study, meta-analysis, and portfolio documentation of special education program standards. 2 credits F, S.
SPED 611. Students with Mild Disabilities.
Strategies for upper elementary, junior/senior high, post-secondary mildly handicapped/slow-learning students to aid them in learning to learn, solve problems, and complete tasks independently in regular education classes and other natural environments. 1-6 credits DEMAND.
SPED 622. Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Methods.
Analysis of programming models and behavioral and psycho-educational techniques for students with emotional/behavioral disorders. Attention is focused on intervention strategies, reintegration, and follow-up techniques. Prereq.: 505, 511, 516, 521 or 520, 531. 3 credits F, S.
SPED 623. Learning Environments for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Overview of current research and program planning for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Identification and eligibility criteria, developmental profiles and needs, medical and neurological issues; legal issues; and family/caregiver issues. Prereq.: SPED 2/503 or CSD 560 or 568 or CPSY 630. 3 credits SUM.
SPED 646. Learning Disabilities Methods.
Examination and application of strategies for elementary- and secondary-age students with learning disabilities. Focus is on the role of the learning strategy specialist in resource and inclusive settings. Prereq.: 505, 511, 516, 521 or 520, 531. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 647. Developmental Disabilities Methods: Moderate/Severe.
Methods and materials for instruction and programming for students with moderate/severe developmental disabilities; techniques for inclusion. Prereq.: 505, 511, 516, 521 or 520, 531. 3 credits F, S.
SPED 648. Physical/Health Disabilities Methods.
Methods and materials for instructors and programming for students with physical and/or health disabilities; techniques for inclusion. Prereq.: 05, 511, 516, 521 or 520, 531. 3 credits S.
SPED 650. Practicum in Physical/Health Disabilities I.
Field internship in elementary school programs for students with physical/health disabilities. 3 credits SUM.
SPED 651. Practicum in Physical/Health Disabilities II.
Field internship in secondary school programs for students with physical/health disabilities. 3 credits SUM.
SPED 660. Practicum in Developmental Disabilities: Mild/Moderate.
Field internship in elementary/secondary school programs for students with mild/moderate developmental disabilities. Prereq.: 520, 647. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 661. Practicum in Developmental Disabilities: Moderate/Severe.
Field internship in elementary/secondary school programs for students with moderate/severe developmental disabilities. Prereq.: 520, 647. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 670. Practicum in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders I.
Field internship in Levels I-III elementary/secondary school programs for students with emotional/behavioral disorders. Prereq.: 521, 622. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 671. Practicum in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders II.
Field internship in Levels IV-VI elementary and secondary school programs for students with emotional/behavioral disorders. Prereq.: 521, 622. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 680. Practicum in Learning Disabilities I.
Field internship in elementary school programs for students with learning disabilities. Prereq.: 521, 646. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 681. Practicum in Learning Disabilities II.
Field internship in secondary school programs for students with learning disabilities. Prereq.: 521, 646. 3 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 698. Field Study.
1-6 credits F, S, SUM.
SPED 699. Thesis.
1-6 credits F, S, SUM.
