Nov 21, 2024

2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education Major, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, or Secondary Education. Students who choose the Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Culturally and 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 Program (ALP)

A grade of “C” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the Bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

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 MSU Denver’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 Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Education

All special education majors must complete the General Course Requirements for candidates seeking licensure in early childhood, elementary, culturally/linguistically diverse or secondary education. In most cases, the courses satisfy MSU Denver’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.

ARTH 3060 - Art and Music for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3 *
ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments Credits: 3
ENG 1020 - Freshman Composition: Analysis, Research, and Documentation Credits: 3
ENG 2460 - Introduction to Children’s Literature for Non-English Majors Credits: 3
GEG 1000 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3 **
-or-
GEG 1920 - Concepts and Connections in Geography Credits: 3
HIS 1210 - American History to 1865 Credits: 3
-or-
HIS 1220 - American History since 1865 Credits: 3
MTH 1610 - Integrated Mathematics I Credits: 3
MTH 2620 - Integrated Mathematics II Credits: 3
PSY 1800 - Developmental Educational Psychology Credits: 3
SCI 2610 - Integrated Natural Science I Credits: 3
SCI 2620 - Integrated Earth Systems Credits: 3
SPE 1010 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
-or-
SPE 1710 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3

Total Early Childhood, Elementary and Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Education: 36

*Only students seeking education licensure may use these courses to satisfy their General Studies requirements.

**Satisfies the General Studies Global Diversity requirement.

Secondary

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments Credits: 3
ENG 1020 - Freshman Composition: Analysis, Research, and Documentation Credits: 3
MTH 1610 - Integrated Mathematics I Credits: 3
MTH 2620 - Integrated Mathematics II Credits: 3
PSY 1800 - Developmental Educational Psychology Credits: 3
SPE 1010 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
XXX xxxx 6 credit hours of Arts and Humanities*
XXX xxxx 3 credit hours of Historical*
XXX xxxx 3 credit hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences I*
XXX xxxx 6 credit hours of Natural and Physical Sciences*

Total Secondary: 36

*Students should select a course that satisfies the General Studies Global Diversity requirement.

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.

Sequence I Courses

EDT 3610 - Applications of Educational Technology Credits: 2
RDG 3110 - Foundations of Literacy Instruction in Grades P-6 Credits: 3
SED 2200 - Diversity and Multicultural Education Credits: 3
SED 2700 - Social/Emotional Development and Disorders Credits: 3
SED 3600 - Exceptional Learners in the Classroom Credits: 3
SED 3650 - Individualized Education and Curriculum Credits: 3
SLHS 1500 - Introduction to Communication Sciences Credits: 3
SLHS 2890 - Language Acquisition Credits: 3

Subtotal Sequence I: 23 - 24

Sequence II Courses

SED 3675 - Transition Planning and Instruction Credits: 3
SED 3700 - Educational and Medical Aspects of Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 3750 - Assessment, Methods, and Assistive Technology for Severe Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 3820 - Elements of Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 3950 - Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3

Subtotal Sequence II: 15

Sequence III Courses

SED 4050 - Assessment and Instructional Planning Credits: 3
SED 4200 - Reading Disabilities and Content Instruction Credits: 3
SED 4250 - Effective Behavioral Support Systems Credits: 3
SED 4300 - Assessment and Methods for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Credits: 3

Subtotal Sequence III: 12

Sequence IV Course

SED 4440 - K-12 Practicum in Special Education Credits: 3 or 6

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.

SED 4490 - Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar Credits: 6 or 12 (6 cr)
and
EDU 4190 - Elementary Student Teaching and Seminar: K-6 Credits: 6,12 (6 cr)
OR
SED 4490 - Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar
(6 cr)
and
EDS 4290 - Student Teaching and Seminar: Secondary 7-12
(6 cr)
OR
SED 4490 - Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar
(12 cr)

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:

Option One:

Early Childhood Education Concentration

ECE 3120 - Early Literacy Development: Birth to Age 5 Credits: 3
ECE 3150 - Developmentally Appropriate Practice II: Literacy Instruction K-3 Credits: 3
ECE 3330 - Creativity and Expressive Arts for the Young Child Credits: 3
ECE 4330 - Science, Health, and Mathematics for the Young Child Credits: 3
ECE 4340 - Elementary Mathematics Methods: K-3 Credits: 3
ECE 4390 - Student Teaching and Seminar: Early Childhood (Preschool through Third Grade) Credits: 6,12

Total: 23

Option Two:

Elementary Education Concentration

EDU 4100 - Integrated Methods of Teaching Social Studies and Literacy: K-6 Credits: 3
EDU 4105 - Field Experience: Integrated Social Studies and Literacy: K-6 Credits: 1
EDU 4120 - Integrated Methods of Teaching Science, Health and Mathematics: K-6 Credits: 3
EDU 4125 - Field Experience: Integrated Science, Health and Mathematics: K-6 Credits: 1
EDU 4190 - Elementary Student Teaching and Seminar: K-6 Credits: 6,12
MTL 3600 - Mathematics of the Elementary Curriculum Credits: 3
RDG 4000 - Literacy Instruction in Grades K-6 Credits: 3

Total: 20

Option Three:

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Concentration (CLD)

ANT 2330 - Cross-Cultural Communication Credits: 3
-or-
SPE 3760 - Diversity and Communication in the U.S. Credits: 3
CLD 2890 - Second Language Acquisition: K-12 Educational Implications Credits: 3
CLD 3290 - Literacy Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students K-12 Credits: 3
CLD 3310 - Integrated Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language Credits: 3
CLD 3510 - Perspectives in Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners Credits: 3
CLD 3910 - Assessment of English Language Learners Credits: 3
CLD 4590 - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: ESL Student Teaching and Seminar Credits: 6

Total: 24

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 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Concentration
Special Education Core (includes 6 hours of special education student teaching)	62
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Concentration	24
General Course Requirements	36
Total Program Hours: 122

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

Alternative Licensure Program Special Education (ALP SED)

The Alternative Licensure Program Special Education (ALP SED) provides an alternative pathway to K-12 licensure as a 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 ALP SED, 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 (PLACE 01 or PRAXIS II 0014) and secure a special education teaching position with one of the participating metro-area school districts, charter schools, or accredited private schools. The program requires a two-week orientation before school begins, weekly classes for four semesters, a four-week practicum during the summer between years one and two.

ALP 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.

ALP SED is operated out of the Metro South Extended Campus offices at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Suite 100. Call (303) 721-1313 for more information about the program or visit the website, www.mscd.edu/alp.