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, disability policy, research, and careers that support individuals with disabilities in community settings. The School of Education works with the School of Theology to offer programs in Special Education that work in various types of church ministries.

Students interested in the Special Education major are encouraged to indicate their intent upon admission to SPU. Indication of interest does not commit the student to the program, but it assures advising and continuing receipt of current information about the special education program requirements. To change your intended major to Special Education, you may contact Student Academic Services.

Since many courses are only offered once a year, planning is especially important for all 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.

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 maintained by the School of Education and listed by emphasis.
• Transfer students must complete a minimum of 15 upper-division credits in special education course work prior to the internship.

Depending their desired emphasis, students should choose either the Elementary Emphasis Teaching track or the Secondary Emphasis teaching track.

Admission to the major

For students interested in the P–12 teaching track, formal admission to the major is usually accomplished during the first or second quarter of junior year or in the case of transfer students, the second quarter of residence. Students should use the general major/minor application form (PDF) to apply and must be approved by each student's faculty advisor as well as the department chair.

To qualify for admission to the Special Education major with an emphasis in Elementary or Secondary education, a student must successfully complete the Foundations Quarter, PSY 1180, PSY 2470, EDSP 3107, and two upper division SPED courses with a grade of "C" or better. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is needed to be admitted to the major.

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

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 and a grade of "B" or better in the lab and internships to be recommended for certification.

Methods Quarter
Prerequisites include:

• Successful completion of the Foundations Quarter.
• Junior standing (90 credits).
• Accepted into the Special Education major.
• Admission to the School of Education.
• Cumulative 3.0 GPA, or 3.3 in the last 45 credits.
• Pass School of Education interview (if taking Foundations autumn 2012 or later).
• Pass ENG 3301 with a grade of C or better (if admitted to the University autumn 2012 or later).
• Successful completion of MAT 1560, MAT 2561, MAT 3562, and EDRD 2000 with agrade of C or better. .
• 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. Passing scores must be received by SPU before students will be given permission to register for Integrated Quarter.

Integrated (A) and Internship (B) quarters must be taken sequentially in the same academic year (Winter-Spring) and a grade of B or better is required for 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 and a grade of "B" or better in the lab and internships to be recommended for certification.

Methods Quarter
Prerequisites include:

• Successful completion of the Foundations Quarter.
• Junior standing (90 credits).
• Accepted into the Special Education major.
• Admission to the School of Education.
• Cumulative 3.0 GPA, or 3.3 in the last 45 credits.
• Pass School of Education interview (if taking Foundations autumn 2012 or later).
• Pass ENG 3301 with a grade of C or better (if admitted to the University autumn 2012 or later).
• Successful completion of MAT 1560, MAT 2561, MAT 3562; and EDRD 2000 with a grade of C or better.
• 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 (A) and Internship (B) quarters must be taken sequentially in the same academic year (Winter-Spring), and a grade of "B" or better is required for 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 for the following students:

• 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).

Acceptance to the major

For students interested in the P-12 Special Education non-teaching tracks, formal admission is usually accomplished during the first or second quarter of the junior year or in the case of transfer students typically in the second quarter of residence. Students should use the general major/minor application form (PDF) to apply and must be approved by each student's faculty advisor as well as the department chair.

To qualify for admission to the Special Education: General Emphasis or Educational Ministries Emphasis, a student must successfully complete PSY 1180, PSY 2470, and EDSP 3107 with a grade of "C" or better. An overall cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better is needed to be admitted to the major.

The internship and practicum experiences for the non-teaching tracks are tailored to each student and require advanced planning with a Special Education advisor.

Special Education: General Emphasis

Requirements for Special Education: General Emphasis

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.

A minimum of 10 practicum credits are required to complete the major. This practicum is set up in collaboration with a Special Education advisor. This practicum is not for teacher certification.

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.

A minimum of 10 practicum credits are required to complete the major. The practicum is in collaboration with the School of Theology.