Special Education, Early Childhood, Pre-K-3 Licensure (SPEDP.BST)

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Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education

This program qualifies candidates to be a special educator in many settings, particularly geared toward early childhood and primary grades. Candidates in this specialty area will take courses such as Young Children (0-8) with Developmental Disabilities and Child Development.

Degree Checklist

For a checklist of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Education Requirements - Total Hours: 50-56

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

Students in Special Education, Early Childhood (SPEDP.BST) program:

Specialty Area Requirements

PSYC 361 - Child Development Credit Hours: 3

A review of the principles of behavior in infancy and childhood; physical, intellectual, social, emotional and language development in the normal child.

Prerequisites

PSYC 200 & PSYC 260 or EDUC 199
SPED 323 - Young Children (0-8) with Developmental Disabilities Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the nature and needs of young children with developmental disabilities. A holistic approach will be emphasized.
SPED 331 - Research Based Intervention for Effective Classroom Management Credit Hours: 3

Approaches to classroom management of students with disabilities and groups of children. Applied behavioral analysis is studied, including specific techniques such as task analysis, along with strategies for strengthening and reducing behaviors.

Prerequisites

EDUC-199 and EDUC-299
SPED 335 - Strategies and Interventions for Gifted, Talented and Creative Students Credit Hours: 3

Characteristics and special needs of the gifted individual. Definitions, identification procedures, and educational provisions are considered, along with career development. Emphasis is placed on structuring a supportive learning environment within the school setting as well as in the community.

Prerequisites

SPED-320.
SPED 340 - Technological, Medical, and Environmental Needs in the Classroom Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces assistive technology and physical positioning to foster communication for students experiencing comprehensive disabilities.

Prerequisites

SPED-320.
SPED 349 - Collaborating with Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the concept of collaboration as a means to meet the special needs of students. Issues such as due process, least restrictive environment, support services, organizations, advocacy groups, family dynamics, educational planning and delivery of services are emphasized.

Prerequisites

SPED-320.
SPED 480 - Policies, Procedures and Practices Credit Hours: 3

Emphasizes the understanding of legislation, regulations and litigation related to the field of special education.

Prerequisites

SPED-320, 324, and Admission to Teacher Education Program.
READ 371 - Survey of Reading Credit Hours: 3

A study of the reading process and the history and philosophy of the various models of reading instruction. Requires co-requisite enrollment in READ-371L. 

Prerequisites

ELED-340
READ 450 - Assessment of Reading Performance Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to formal and informal procedures and instruments used in assessment of reading, including a practicum in diagnosis of reading difficulties.
ECED 342 - Observation and Assessment of Young Children Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to acquaint students with the basic assessment techniques appropriate for young children. Also covered are community and school resources instrumental in providing services and referrals.
ECED 350 - Children's Literature and Literacy Development Credit Hours: 2

This course will provide a survey of books and related materials appropriate for young children and an introduction to developmentally appropriate techniques for using literature to supplement the development of literacy skills.

Prerequisites

EDUC-199
ENGL 381 - Language Acquisition and Development Credit Hours: 3

An investigation of the cognitive processes of first and second language acquisition and development with special attention to the acquisition of literacy, language diversity and bilingualism.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
EDUC 495 - Integration of Faith and Learning Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to integrate the fundamentals of learning and faith for the preservice educator. The student will be challenged to develop and defend a personal philosophical foundation for education from a Christian perspective.

Prerequisites

THEO-231 and ELED-340

Enhanced General Education Requirements

MTHS 121 - Concepts of Mathematics I Credit Hours: 3

Develops the real number system (including natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers and irrational numbers) stressing properties and algorithms. Problem-solving and set theory are emphasized. Elementary algebra will be stressed with application to problem solving. Designed to equip students to teach mathematics in elementary school.This course does not satisfy the university core requirement of 3 hours of mathematics.

Prerequisites

ACT mathematics score of 18 or higher or SAT equivalent or completion of MTHS-098 or MTHS-110 with a grade of C- or better.
GSCI 121 - Physical Science Credit Hours: 4

An introduction to methods of elementary chemistry and physics, with stress on kinetic theory, molecular phenomena, and energy relations. Requires co-requisite enrollment in GSCI-121L. Open to non-science majors only.

OR

GSCI 122 - Earth and Space Science Credit Hours: 4

An introduction to astronomy, geology, meteorology and physical geography. Emphasis on the structure of the universe, theories of cosmology, the Milky Way, and the solar system; the shape, structure and composition of the earth; earthquakes, vulcanism, theories of plate tectonics, seafloor spreading, and continental drift; the earth in space and time; composition and structure of the earth's atmosphere; weathering erosion, sculpturing the land, topographic maps, oceanography, and glaciation; fossil fuels and alternate sources of energy, environmental pollution and conservation of natural resources. Requires co-requisite enrollment in GSCI-122L. Open to non-science majors only.

Professional Education Requirements

EDUC 199 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession Seminar Credit Hours: 1

A course consisting of 20 clock hours of laboratory assignments in the public schools and a 50-minute seminar each week for the entire semester. The course is designed to provide a general survey of the education profession. Required for teacher education majors except music.
EDUC 299 - Teaching Diverse Learners Credit Hours: 2

This course is designed to introduce students to the wide range of diversity that exists in today's general school population. Candidates will explore physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development, individual learning styles, and prior learning as well as language, culture, family and community values and how they influence student learning. Differentiated instructional approaches to learning and performance will be studied while focusing on planning for instruction that addresses the strengths and needs of diverse learners. A Service Learning Component is required.

Prerequisites

EDUC-199
ECED 315 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3

A course designed to give the prospective teacher an overview of the theoretical models of early childhood education and to provide a broad overview of the historical, sociological and philosophical foundations of the American education system.

Prerequisites

EDUC-199 and EDUC-299, or MUED-225.
ELED 340 - Principles of Classroom Instruction - Elementary Credit Hours: 2

A course designed to introduce students to the methods, skills, and strategies they will need as they become effective teachers in elementary classrooms. The course unites theory and practice by using the instructional methods of classroom discussion, presentations and analysis of case studies.  Co-requisite: READ371

Prerequisites

Admission to the Teacher Education Program.
ELED 395 - Teaching the Creative Arts Credit Hours: 2

Effective methods and materials for integrating arts across the curriculum in grades PK-8.  

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education Program.
SPED 402 and 402L - Interventions & Instructional Methods for Students with Special Needs Credit Hours: 6

An extensive and differentiated methods course that addresses appropriate content and pedagogical strategies for providing special education services and interventions in the PreK-3, K-8, 6-12, and K-12 (comprehensive) settings. This course addresses decision making for appropriate placements in the least restrictive environment and the continuum of services. Particular attention is given to teaching academics, student, functional life, behavioral, independent living, and social skills. An emphasis is placed on the importance of early school-to-work transition, including an examination of the development of necessary social and career skills. The practicum is an integral part of the Clinical I experience which provides practice in effective methods and materials for teaching academics, functional life skills, and behavior within various Special Education settings.

Prerequisites

SPED-320 and Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Professional Semester

EDUC 496 - Student Teaching I Credit Hours: 5

Upon completion of all education courses, students will complete student teaching practicums for a total of 15 weeks in the public schools under the guidance of public school teachers and a university supervisor(s). The student will be assigned to at least two different classrooms, which may be at different schools. Students must enroll in EDUC-496, EDUC-497, and EDUC-498 for a total of 12 hours. This will constitute the maximum load for the student teaching semester. No other classes may be taken during the student teaching semester.

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education Program, admission to Student Teaching, pass all required Praxis II exams, and completion of required methods courses
EDUC 497 - Student Teaching II Credit Hours: 5

Upon completion of all education courses, students will complete student teaching practicums for a total of 15 weeks in the public schools under the guidance of public school teachers and a university supervisor(s). The student will be assigned to at least two different classrooms, which may be at different schools. Students must enroll in EDUC-496, EDUC-498, and EDUC-498 for a total of 12 hours. This will constitute the maximum load for the student teaching semester. No other classes may be taken during the student teaching semester.

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education Program, admission to Student Teaching, pass all required Praxis II exams, and completion of required methods courses.
EDUC 498 - Student Teaching Seminar Credit Hours: 2

A seminar designed to be taken by all student teachers during their enhanced student teaching semester. The purpose is to help bridge the gap between coursework and enhanced student teaching. Discussion of a variety of topics related to instructional management and interaction is the focus of the seminar.

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education Program, admission to Student Teaching, pass all required Praxis II exams, and completion of all methods courses