Catalog Course Descriptions Effective Fall 2008

EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (3:3:0) This course provides a survey of current knowledge on individuals with disabilities within the context of human growth and development across the life span. Content includes historical factors, legislation, etiology, characteristics, needs, educational strategies, including existing and emerging technologies, assessment, and support services of/for individuals with disabilities ranging from mild, moderate to severe levels of varying disabilities. The course will study the impact of disabilities on academic and social/emotional performances. Field experience is required. Prerequisites: none.

EDSE 502: Classroom Management and Applied Behavior Analysis (3:3:0) This course focuses on identifying, recording, evaluating and changing social and academic behaviors of special and diverse populations. Theories of classroom management will be explored and various approaches to management including use of technological advances will be discussed. Developing classroom and individual behavior management plans will be emphasized. Prerequisites: none.

EDSE 503: Language Development and Reading (3:3:0) Provides in-depth coverage of reading instruction for students with special needs. Topics include language development and emergent literacy skills, reading sub-skills including auditory discrimination and phonemic awareness, decoding and word reading, reading comprehension, and use of technological advances in the teaching of reading. Prerequisites: none.

EDSE 517: Computer Applications for Special Populations (3:3:0) Presents a lecture/laboratory course for teachers of special populations (e.g. children with disabilities, bilingual children) in applications of computer technology for instructional programs and computer skills. Students learn to use computer technology designed for special populations.

EDSE 540: Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who access the General Education Curriculum (3:3:0) Examines the characteristics of students with mild disabilities. Emphasis on etiology, contributing factors, conditions that affect learning, the challenges of identifying students with disabilities, and the need for academic , social, and emotional accommodations and support. Field experience may be required. Prerequisites: none

EDSE 544 : Adapted Instructional Methods and Transition for Secondary Learners (3:3:0) Provides Strategies for teaching functional academics and social/life skills, facilitating the transition to post-secondary environments. Focuses on all aspects of transition and alternative assessments for secondary learners with disabilities.

EDSE 590: Special Education Research (3) Describes fundamental concepts and practices in educational research in special education. Specific applications of educational research methods to problems in special education will be covered. Emphasis is on reviewing and critiquing special education research, and applied classroom research for teachers. Prerequisites: none

EDSE 627: Assessment (3:3:0) Offers knowledge and experiential learning activities related to the assessment of students with mild disabilities. Includes statistical and psychometric concepts in assessment. Addresses norm-referenced, criterion referenced, curriculum based and informal assessment for instructional and placement decisions. Perquisites: Prerequisites: none

EDSE 628: Elementary Reading, Curriculum and Strategies for Students with Mild Disabilities (3:3:0) Applies research on instructional approaches in elementary curriculum for individuals with disabilities accessing the general education curriculums. Includes curriculum/instructional strategies in reading, language arts, mathematics science, social studies, study skills, attention/ memory and peer mediated instruction. Prerequisites: none

EDSE 629: Secondary Curriculum and Strategies for Students with Disabilities who access the General Education Curriculum (3:3:0) Applies research on teacher effectiveness accountability and instructional approaches at the secondary level for individuals with mild disabilities accessing the general education curriculum. Includes instructional methods necessary for teaching reading, writing, math and other content areas across the curriculum. Prerequisites: none

EDSE 662: Consultation and Collaboration (3:3:0) The purpose of this course is to assist students to develop and/or enhance their collaborative and consultative skills. Students will understand the many service delivery options through which students with disabilities are served, and refine their skills for interacting with other professionals and parents in planning for instruction and transition. Students will refine selected skills for communication and begin to develop the skills needed to provide professional development opportunities for colleagues.

EDSE 791: Midpoint Portfolio (1:1:0) This course provides an opportunity for students to develop their portfolio. This serves as the vehicle to assess whether they are meeting the standards of their professional organization, the Council for Exceptional Children. Prerequisites or co-requisites: Must be taken after completion of the fourth EDSE prefix course or concurrently with the fourth or fifth EDSE prefix course in the program.

EDSE 792: Final Portfolio (1:1:0) This course provides an opportunity for students to develop their portfolio. This serves as the vehicle to assess whether they are meeting the standards of their professional organization, the Council for Exceptional Children. Co-requisites: Must be taken concurrently with last EDSE 790 internship and/or the last EDSE course in the program.

EDSE 790 Internship in Special Education (1-4:3:0). Provides supervised internships that apply university course work to instruction of children and their families in school and community settings. Students enroll in two separate internships appropriate to the area of study for a total of six credits. Applications for field internships are due as follows: Fall February 15; Spring September 15; and Summer March 1. Prerequisite: Permission of advisor.