Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education Major, B.A.


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Special Education Major for Bachelor of Arts with Generalist Licensure Sequence

The special education major is a course of study that will prepare candidates to meet the educational needs of children and adolescents with mild to severe disabilities. The curriculum incorporates the Performance-Based Standards for Colorado Teachers/Special Education Generalist, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) criteria and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) International Standards for the Preparation and Certification of Special Education Teachers (2001). In addition to the special education core, all special education majors must complete a General Studies program and an education concentration in one of four areas of specialization: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Linguistically Diverse Education, or Secondary Education. Students who choose the early childhood education, elementary education or linguistically diverse education options may be able to receive an additional endorsement in these areas and should consult with a special education advisor for more information about these endorsements. All students must pass the Praxis or PLACE Elementary Content Test before enrolling in 4000-level courses. The PLACE Generalist test must be passed prior to state licensure.

  • Special Education Major with Generalist Licensure
  • Special Education Minor
  • Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Generalist Licensure
  • Alternative Licensure (CASEL Program)

General Course Requirements


All special education majors must complete the General Course Requirements for candidates seeking licensure in early childhood, elementary, linguistically diverse or secondary education. In most cases, the courses satisfy Metro State’s General Studies requirements. These courses prepare candidates to pass the elementary content exam required of all special education candidates prior to completion of 4000-level courses. The special education content test must also be passed prior to recommendation for licensure.

Early Childhood, Elementary or Linguistically Diverse Education


All special education majors must complete the General Course Requirements for candidates seeking licensure in early childhood, elementary, linguistically diverse or secondary education. In most cases, the courses satisfy Metro State’s General Studies requirements. These courses prepare candidates to pass the elementary content exam required of all special education candidates prior to completion of 4000-level courses. The special education content test must also be passed prior to recommendation for licensure.

Total Early Childhood, Elementary and Linguistically Diverse Education: 36


Secondary


Total Secondary: 36


Degree Seeking Undergraduate Candidates Special Education Core


The special education curriculum is organized into sequences of course work that provide candidates with guidance in program planning. They are comprised of course clusters that candidates may take in any order; however, candidates may not select courses from a higher numbered sequence until the courses in the previous sequence are successfully taken.

Subtotal Sequence I: 23 - 24


Subtotal Sequence II: 15


Subtotal Sequence III: 12


Subtotal Sequence IV: 6


Sequence V Courses* - Student Teaching


Candidates must take 12 credits of student teaching, which may include either 12 credit hours of special education student teaching or 6 hours of special education and 6 hours of general education student teaching. Students must consult with their advisor for specific course numbers.

Subtotal Sequence V: 12


Total Special Education Core: 62


Note:


*Candidates who are not seeking licensure may substitute recommended electives for student teaching courses.

Education Concentrations


Degree seeking candidates majoring in Special Education must choose an Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Linguistically Diverse Education or Secondary Education
concentration. The education concentration will allow the candidate to obtain content and experience in the regular education environment.

The courses for each concentration are as follows:

Total: 23


Total: 20


Total: 21 - 22


Note:


*Other cultural/social knowledge courses may be substituted with and advisor’s approval.

Option Four:


 Secondary Education Concentration  

Students will choose 18 credit hours in any content area. In addition six hours of General Studies must be completed in the area of concentration. Twelve hours of student teaching will be required (SED 4500 or a combination of SED 4490 and SED 4500). Students must pass the PLACE content area exam to achieve the status of “highly qualified” special education instructor. Students who pursue this option must consult with an advisor in the content area, as well as a special education advisor to select appropriate course work.

Total: 18


SUMMARY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION MAJOR


   
Special Education Major with Early Childhood Education Concentration  
Special Education Core (includes 6 hours of special education student teaching) 62
Early Childhood Education Concentration (includes 6 hours of early childhood education student teaching) 23
General Course Requirements 36
Total Program Hours: 121  
   
Special Education Major with Elementary Education Concentration  
Special Education Core (includes 6 hours of special education student teaching) 62
Elementary Education Concentration (includes 6 hours of elementary education student teaching) 20
General Course Requirements 36
Electives 2
Total Program Hours:  120  
   
Special Education Major with Linguistically Diverse (ESL) Concentration
 
Special Education Core (includes 6 hours of special education student teaching) 62
Linguistically Diverse Education Concentration (includes 6 hours of liguistically diverse student teaching) 21-22
General Course Requirements 36
Electives 0-1
Total Program Hours:  120  
   
Special Education Major with Secondary Education Concentration
 

Special Education Core (includes 12 hours of special education student teaching)

68

Content Area Courses

18

General Course Requirements

36

Total Program Hours:  122

 

 

Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Program


Metro State’s post-baccalaureate licensure program in Special Education provides candidates with a case-based curriculum designed to prepare candidates to meet the needs of children and adolescents with mild to severe disabilities. This professional education sequence, leading to a Special Education Generalist license, provides content that emphasizes developing effective decision-making in diverse contexts. Candidates who do not have a baccalaureate degree should pursue the Special Education undergraduate major. All candidates who enroll in the postbaccalaureate licensure program for Special Education Generalist must have an education psychology and math content prerequisite course. Candidates must see their special education advisors at least twice a year for information regarding program planning. All students must pass the Praxis or PLACE Elementary Content test before enrolling in 4000 level courses. The PLACE Generalist test must be passed prior to state licensure.

Colorado Accelerated Special Education Licensure (CASEL) Program:


The Colorado Accelerated Special Education Licensure (CASEL) Program is a Teacher in Residence program that provides an alternative pathway to K-12 licensure as special education generalist. Courses required for this program are the same as those required for
the post-baccalaureate licensure program for special education generalist.

To enroll in the CASEL program, candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, meet the Colorado Department of Education requirements for undergraduate coursework in general studies for elementary education licensure, pass the Elementary Education content test and secure a special education teaching position with one of the participating metro-area school districts.

The CASEL program requires participation in a two-week orientation before the beginning of school in year one, weekly classes for four semesters, a four-week practicum during the summer between years one and two, completion of a professional portfolio including a Teacher Work Sample and 100 hours of coaching and mentoring each year. In the event that candidates seek to transfer from the CASEL program to the Metro State on-campus post-baccalaureate program, they must submit a petition to the special education faculty, but there is no guarantee that the program transfer will be approved.

CASEL candidates who complete a total of 45 credit hours during the two years of the program, demonstrate proficiency on the Performance-Based Standards for Colorado Special Education Generalist, achieve a passing score on the PLACE Special Education
content exam during the second year of the program and complete their district’s induction program will be recommended by their district for a Special Education Generalist license from the Colorado Department of Education.

The CASEL program is administered through the Metro South Extended Campus office at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Suite 100. Call (303) 721-1313 for more information about the program.

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