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 current approved statewide standards for teachers in Colorado/Special Education Generalist 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. The Generalist licensure exam 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 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. The special education content test must also be passed prior to recommendation for licensure.

ARTE 2060 - The Arts and Creative Thinking Credits: 3 *
ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments Credits: 3
ENG 1020 - Research and Argument Writing 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 Natural Science II Credits: 3
CAS 1010 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
-or-
CAS 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 - Research and Argument Writing Credits: 3
MTH 1610 - Integrated Mathematics I Credits: 3
MTH 2620 - Integrated Mathematics II Credits: 3
PSY 1800 - Developmental Educational Psychology Credits: 3
CAS 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 3010 - Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching Credits: 3
OR
EDT 3610 - Applications of Educational Technology Credits: 2
RDG 3111 - Emergent Literacy K-3 Credits: 3
SED 2200 - Diversity and Multicultural Education Credits: 3
SED 2700 - Social/Emotional Development and Disorders Credits: 3
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:

Total Special Education Core: 68-69

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:

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 Campus Innovative & Lifelong Learning offices at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Suite 100. Call (303) 721-1313 for more information about the program or visit the website, msudenver.edu/alp.