Special Education (SPED)

SPED 2123 Introduction to Individuals with Exceptionalities
A study of the etiology and concepts relating to exceptional individuals and their inclusion in the public schools. (Prerequisite to enrollment in advanced special education courses. No concurrent enrollment)

SPED 3103 Foundations of Special Education
Philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education. Introduction to roles and responsibilities of the special educator, and legal and ethical requirements of the profession. Theoretical perspectives related to the nature and needs of persons with disabilities.

SPED 3313 Assessment
Introduction to measurement, assessment, and formative progress monitoring related to processes used with exceptional learners. Overview of norm-referenced assessment, interpretation, and the development of individual education programs.

SPED 3322 Adaptive and Assistive Technology
Introduction to the laws related to adaptive and assistive technology use, as well as the items, equipment, and product systems, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized that are used to increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of individuals with disabilities over a life span. Principles of Universal Design are included.

SPED 3402 Early Childhood Special Education
Introduction to the issues, practices, and legal and ethical requirements associated with the provision of early childhood special education services. Field experience required.

SPED 3613 Behavior Management
Managing individual and group behavior in classroom, school, home, and community environments in a range of special education contexts, use of technology as an organizational tool, Includes Applied Behavior Analysis.

SPED 4203 Vocational/Transitional Education
An introduction and overview of programs and services for youth with disabilities that focus on career, vocational and transition services, including employment, personal and social skill development, and community living. The focus is on techniques, resources and models at all levels of service delivery. A conceptual framework for comprehensive transition planning and establishing the need for evidenced-based practices in transition planning will be highlighted. Other major issues explored: (a) federal legislation and initiatives relating to career education, vocational-technical education, and transition planning; (b) strategies for collaboration among the spectrum of professional roles that are central to the transition development and planning of students with disabilities; and (c) the role of cultural background in family orientation to transition planning.

SPED 4413 Teaching Stategies for Students W/Cognitive
Strategies for teaching children and adolescents with cognitive disabilities. Emphasis on accessing the general education curriculum through inclusion strategies and through individualized interventions and modifications including use of technology.

SPED 4423 Teaching Strategies for Students W/Affective Disorders
Strategies for changing behavior and teaching social skills curricula using scientifically-based decision making. Includes functional behavior analysis, behavior intervention plans, and positive behavioral supports. Includes nature and needs of students with emotional/behavioral disorders and issues related to the affective education of cognitively disabled students.

SPED 4443 Diagnosis & Remediation of Reading, Language Arts, Math Disorders
Structured, sequential, multisensory instruction for students with reading, written expressions and/or mathematics disabilities (Pre-Kindergarten through post- 12). Focus on explicit, intensive teaching of decoding skills, phonemic awareness, sequencing, and attention strategies for students with dysnomia, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities.

SPED 4903 Seminar in Special Education Topics
Designed to provide advanced students theoretical and practical exposure to topical information that is emerging, changes in laws, and/or practical guidance in applied organizational and instructional techniques and areas associated with the student teaching process with students with mild/moderate disabilities at the preschool through high school levels.

SPED 5023 Program Development & Organizational In Special Education
Knowledge of cognitive science, learning theory, and instructional technologies to improve instructional programs and the continuum of program options and services to ensure the appropriate instructional supports for individuals with exceptional learning needs.

SPED 5033 Research, Inquiry, and Evidence-Based Practice
Design and implementation of analysis and review of research to examine the effectiveness of instructional practices and methods for assessing and evaluating individuals and programs to identify and validate evidence-based practices.

SPED 5043 Student Assessment and the Rtl Process
Process and interpretation of assessments for determining eligibility for special education and methods and strategies for assessing and evaluating students’ performance and success in general education curriculum.

SPED 5063 Counseling, Collaboration, and Co-Teaching
Effective strategies for collaboration with families, other educators, related service providers, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to promote and advocate the learning and well being of individuals with ELN across a wide range of settings and a range of different learning experiences.

SPED 5073 Positive Behavorial Interventions and Supports
This course will prepare educators to work in schools to meet the unique behavioral needs of learners in K-12 environments through systemic, prevention focused, and data-based decision making. The course will prepare the educator to collaborate with other school professions to plan interventions to meet the needs of students who present challenging behaviors.

SPED 5083 Teaching Students With Autism
This course introduces students to Autism in children and youth. Topics include the historical and theoretical foundations of autism and current diagnostic criteria. Students will differentiate the characteristics of Autism including social, emotional, communication, behavioral, sensory-motor, and cognitive characteristics of children and youth with Autism. This class identifies the trends and issues associated with Autism and effective practices and strategies for structuring, managing and promoting social skill development and social interactions among learners with Autism.

SPED 5093 Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers
This course promotes knowledge and skill in analyzing behavioral problems across a range of issues. Special consideration is given to designing interventions, implementing, managing, and supervising applied projects. Topics include the identification and selection of problems and target populations, analysis of problems and goals, designing measurement systems, developing interventions and disseminating products from applied behavioral research.

SPED 5113 Advanced Foundations of Special Education
Philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education. Introduction to roles and responsibilities of the special educator, and legal and ethical requirements of the profession. Theoretical perspectives related to the nature and needs of persons with disabilities and how complex.

SPED 5123 Development, Character and Individual Learning Differences
The similarities and differences in human development and the characteristics between and among individuals with and without exceptional learning needs and how exceptional conditions can interact with the domains of human development and can impact families, as well as the individual’s ability to learn, interact socially, and live as fulfilled contributing members of the community.

SPED 5143 Advanced Instruction Strategies for Individual with Mild/Mod Disabilities
Evidence-based instructional strategies to individualize instruction for individuals with ELN and how to select, adapt, and use these instructional strategies to promote challenging learning results in general and special curricula and to appropriately modify learning environments for individuals with ELN. Emphasis on the development, maintenance, and generalization of knowledge and skills across environments, settings, and the lifespan.

SPED 5153 Learning Environments and Social Interactions
Learning environments for individuals with ELN that foster cultural understanding, safety and emotional well being, positive interactions, and active engagement of individuals with ELN.

SPED 5213 Supporting Students With Emotional and Behavioral Health Needs
Identification, assessment, and implementation of evidence-based practices for supporting students with emotional and behavioral health needs will be addressed.

SPED 5233 Special Education Law
This course will deal extensively with federal/ state legislation and case laws and regulations and with administrative and civil court actions in the determination of the status of services to children with disabilities. The role of executive, legislative and judicial bodies will be examined vis a vis legal, ethical, and procedural parameters that provide direction for school practitioners and policy makers.

SPED 5443 Diagnosis and Remediation of Math Math-Related Deficits
Focus on cognitive math-related deficits in processing, sequencing, and memory and the mathematics specialist’s role in preassessment. Curriculum-based assessment and teacher-administered measures will be utilized to determine their role in formulating multiple remediation strategies. Technology use as an aid to remediation will be demonstrated.