MEd. in Special Education (Not Eligible for Credential)

• Special Education Foundations and Framework
  
  This course orients students to the special education program, the field. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and Council for Exceptional Children Standards, which guide special education research practices, are also discussed. It includes an introduction to creating a professional portfolio.
  
  
• Educating Learners with Diverse Needs
  
  Emphasis will be placed on definitions, etiology, characteristics, and prevalence of various exceptionalities; laws and litigation protecting the rights of students with special needs and their families.
  
  
• Characteristics of Students with Mental Retardation
  
  The focus of this course is to provide the special education student with advanced knowledge of MR, including the history with attention to law and litigation, definition, causes, and characteristics of MR in children and adults.
  
  
• Strategies for Teaching Students with Mental Retardation
  
  This course is designed to advance the special educator's understanding and mastery of methods appropriate for meeting the educational needs of elementary and secondary students with MR.
  
  
• Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities
  
  The focus of this course is to provide the special education student with advanced knowledge of LD, including the history with attention to law and litigation, definition, causes, and characteristics of learning disabilities in children and adults.
  
  
• Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities
  
  This course is designed to advance the special educator’s understanding and mastery of methods appropriate for meeting the educational needs of elementary and secondary students with LD. Effective teaching strategies for planning, implementing, and evaluating instruction based on appropriate assessment for elementary and secondary students with LD in special and regular education classes are investigated, planned, implemented, and evaluated based on appropriate assessment.
  
  
• Characteristics of Students with Emotional Disabilities
  
  The focus of this course is to provide the special education student with advanced knowledge of ED, including the history with attention to law and litigation, definition, etiology, types, and characteristics of students with emotional and behavioral disorders.
  
  
• Strategies for Teaching Students with Emotional Disorders
  
  This course is designed to advance the special educator's understanding and mastery of methods appropriate for meeting the educational needs of elementary and secondary students with ED.
  
  
• Educational Implications for Students with Physical and Health Impairments
  
  This course provides students with knowledge of physical and other health impairments and the impact of these disabilities on the lives of individuals. Students investigate means to enhance individuals' quality of life through participation in home, school, and community activities.
  
  
• SEI English Language Teaching: Foundations and Methodologies
  
  This course presents the historical, legal, theoretical, and sociological foundations of programs of instruction for English language learners. It includes an examination of the role of culture in learning and instructional program models, with a focus on Structured English Immersion. Students will be instructed in immersion strategies and the use of assessment data.
  
  
• Diagnosis and Assessment in Special Education
  
  This capstone course in special education is designed to incorporate issues in collaboration and communication and to synthesize the special education process from assessment to delivery of instruction. Specific skill development includes assessing students with disabilities, completing special education forms, and conducting meetings and conferences with parents and school professionals.