SPECIAL EDUCATION

For a complete overview of the Residency Teacher Certification Program, visit the School of Education in this Undergraduate Catalog.

Special education is the only undergraduate major housed in the School of Education. The special education major prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities in various capacities.

Programs are tailored for students interested in P–12 teaching, church and parachurch ministry, disability policy, research, and careers that support individuals with disabilities in community settings.

Admission to the Special Education Major

Students interested in the special education major are encouraged to  indicate their intent upon arrival at SPU. This indication is made with the School of Education Advising Center in Peterson Hall. It does not commit the student to the program, but it assures advising and continuing receipt of current information about the special education program requirements.

For students interested in P–12 teaching, admission to the special education major requires completion of the Foundations Quarter. The non-teaching track internship and practicum experiences are tailored to each student and require advanced planning with a special education advisor. Therefore, all students benefit by declaring their intended major early in this program.

Furthermore, many courses are only offered once a year, making planning especially important for students who desire to complete their undergraduate degree in a timely fashion.

A student must complete the major requirements in effect when the student is admitted to the major.

Special Education: Teaching Track

The primary purpose of the special education major with teaching is to develop teachers who have the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement appropriate education for students with disabilities. The emphasis in this program is on students with special needs in the areas of learning and behavior.

Requirements leading to certification in special education

• Certification in special education (grades P –12) is granted upon successful completion of the special education major and the specialized certificate requirements.
• Foundations requirements for a P –12 special education certificate are listed the same as the general education quarters. The specific applications courses required for the P –12 special education certificate are listed in the major requirements.
• Transfer students must complete a minimum of 15 upper-division credits in special education coursework prior to the internship.

P–12 Special Education Only Certification
Students pursuing only P –12 Special Education Certification will take Foundations Quarter along with the certification students.

In addition, students will take methods and skills courses, as well as the Methods, and Integrated and Internship quarters in either elementary or secondary levels depending on their desired emphasis, as listed below.

Special Education: Elementary Emphasis

Requirements for the Special Education Elementary Emphasis Certification

Foundations Quarter
Prerequisites include:

• Official admission to SPU
• Sophomore standing (45 credits)
• Cumulative 2.8 GPA, or 3.0 GPA in last 30 credits
• Starting a file in the School of Education ( contact the education office to obtain paperwork)
• Approved general psychology or general sociology class with a grade of C or better

Methods and Skills Courses and Electives

These courses may be taken independently of each other and the professional quarters.  See specific course descriptions because these courses are prerequisites for continuation in the certification sequence.

A student must receive a grade of "C" or better in all methods and skills courses to be recommended for certification. 

Methods Quarter
Prerequisites include:

• Successful completion of the Foundations Quarter
• Junior standing (90 credits)
• Admission to the School of Education
• Cumulative 3.0 GPA, or 3.3 in the last 45 credits
• Successful completion of MAT 1560, MAT 2561, MAT 3562, and EDRD 2000
• Fingerprint clearance
• Passing scores on WEST-B test
• Must have taken the appropriate WEST-E test(s)

Integrated and Internship Quarters
Prerequisites include:

• Successful completion of the Methods Quarter
• Completing 15 upper-division credits in a major
• Receiving a passing score on the appropriate WEST-E test(s)
• Participate in an internship placement interview
• Senior standing (135 credits)

Students need to plan to pass the appropriate WEST-E test(s) at least one quarter prior to registering for Integrated Quarter because passing scores must be received by SPU before students will be given permission to register for Integrated Quarter.

Integrated and Internship quarters must be taken sequentially in the same academic year (Autumn-Winter or Winter-Spring) and a grade of B or better is required for Secondary Internship A and B.

Special Education: Secondary Emphasis

Requirements for the Special Education Secondary Emphasis Certification

Foundations Quarter
Prerequisites include:

• Official admission to SPU
• Sophomore standing (45 credits)
• Cumulative 2.8 GPA, or 3.0 GPA in last 30 credits
• Starting a file in the School of Education (contact the education office to obtain paperwork)
• Approved psychology or general sociology class with a grade of C or better

Methods and Skills Courses and Electives

These courses maybe take independently of each other and the professional quarters.  See specific course descriptions because these courses are prerequisites for continuation in the certification sequence.

A student must receive a grade of C or better in all methods and skills courses to be recommended for certification. 

Methods Quarter
Prerequisites include:

• Successful completion of the Foundations Quarter
• Junior standing (90 credits)
• Admission to the School of Education
• Cumulative 3.0 GPA, or 3.3 in the last 45 credits
• Successful completion of MAT 1560, MAT 2561, MAT 3562; and EDRD 2000
• Fingerprint clearance
• Passing scores on WEST-B test
• Take the appropriate WEST-E test(s)

Integrated and Internship Quarters
Prerequisites include:

• Successful completion of the Methods Quarter
• Completing 15 upper-division credits in your major
• Receiving a passing score on the appropriate WEST-E test
• Participate in an internship placement interview
• Senior standing (135 credits)

Students need to plan to pass the appropriate WEST-E test(s) at least one quarter prior to registering for Integrated Quarter because passing scores must be received by SPU before students will be given permission to register for Integrated Quarter.

Integrated and Internship quarters must be taken sequentially in the same academic year (Autumn-Winter or Winter-Spring), and a grade of "B" or better is required for Secondary Internship A and B.

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Special Education Major: Non-Teaching Tracks

The primary purpose of the non-teaching track in special education is to prepare professionals to work with individuals with disabilities outside the classroom setting. This major serves three general interest areas:

• Students pursuing a special education degree who plan to work with state, local, or nonprofit agencies that serve individuals with disabilities. This includes direct- service providers and advocacy groups.
• Students who wish to work with individuals and families with disabilities in faith-based or church settings.
• Students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in special education or related fields (e.g., researchers in special education, speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists).

Special Education: General Emphasis

Requirements for Special Education: General Emphasis

In this emphasis, students take all of the major courses required for teacher preparation. However, the internship requirement is significantly different. A minimum of 10 practicum credits are required to complete the major.

In collaboration with a special education advisor, students are placed in community-based settings working directly with individuals with disabilities, working in agencies that serve students with disabilities, or working alongside professors on research projects dealing with disability issues.

Special Education: Educational Ministry Emphasis

Requirements for Special Education: Educational Ministry Emphasis

Students in this track benefit from a partnership with the School of Education and the School of Theology. Coursework from both programs provide students with a foundation in both disability studies and educational ministry.

Graduates from this program are prepared to address disability issues in church and parachurch organizations. Internship/practicum requirements for this emphasis reflect this need, and graduates are prepared to address methods for including all people in worship and church life.