Graduate Catalog 2024-2025
Sub-Menu

Special Education (SPED)

SPED 419G    Assistive Technology in the Special Education Classroom    3 Hours

This class is designed to provide an overview of assistive technology and augmentative/alternative communication devices and their application in the special education classroom. This class will enable participants to develop sound and inclusive technology plans that meet the needs of students with moderate to severe disabilities.

Prerequisite(s): SPED 516

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 421G    Special Education and the Law: Inter/Appl    3 Hours

Focus is on laws and regulations and the education of children and youth with disabilities. Laws and regulations, the developments that led to them, and their implications for schools, students, and parents are discussed, analyzed, and applied to practical situations.

Prerequisite(s): SPED 516

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 422G    Collaboration and Inclusion in School and Community Settings    3 Hours

This course provides an overview of methods which facilitate collaboration across disciplines to support diverse learners in regular classrooms and community settings. Field experiences are required.

Prerequisite(s): SPED 516

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 431G    Language Intervention: Strategies and Materials    3 Hours

Preparation of teachers to work as consultants in a team model; exploration of local, state and regional agencies involved with individuals diagnosed with ASD. Supervised practicum required at designated sites. Note: Masters degree required.

Prerequisite(s): SPED 610

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 432G    Applied Behavior Analysis    3 Hours

Setting realistic classroom performance objectives for individuals with disabilities. Terminology and methodology in managing a learning environment with appropriate record keeping systems. Field experiences in public schools and/or other appropriate settings away from campus are required in this course. Note: Students are responsible for providing their own transportation.

Prerequisite(s): SPED 331 and SPED 333

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 460G    Special Problems    1-3 Hours

Investigation of a special problem from an area of individual interest.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 480G    Special Problems    1 Hour

No course description is available

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 501    Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis    3 Hours

This course provides an introduction to the concepts, theories and principles of applied behavior analysis

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

SPED 502    Positive Behavior Supports    3 Hours

This class will focus on methods and models of positive behavior management in group settings for school-aged learners with behavior problems.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023

SPED 503    Behavior Assessment    3 Hours

This class will focus on how to accurately define, assess and measure behavior and learn how to conduct a function-based assessment.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; winter 2023; spring 2024

SPED 504    Instruction to Improve Behavior    3 Hours

This course examines how evidence-based instructional practices can be used to improve academics, social skills, functional skills, and behaviors.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; spring 2024

SPED 505    Ethics Surrounding Behavior Issues    3 Hours

This course examines legislation, regulations, court decisions, and ethical standards that impact practice in schools and other agencies for school-age learners with behavior problems.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; winter 2023; winter 2024; summer 2024

SPED 515    Introduction to Special Education    3 Hours

Introductory course for initial certification in special or general education. Disability categories, basic special education framework and learning theories introduced.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

SPED 516    The Exceptional Child: Perspectives and Issues for Educational Leaders    3 Hours

Focus is on the characteristics, priorities, resources and issues of children with disabilities, delays, or giftedness and their families. Emphasis is on current results of research and perspectives on today's children, families, schools and communities from an educational leadership perspective.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 517    Transition Services and Programs for Individuals with Disabilities    3 Hours

Transition planning for individuals with disabilities. Interagency collaboration, vocational assessment, and life-skills competencies within the general curriculum are addressed.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024

SPED 518    Seminar: Contemporary Challenges in Special Education    3 Hours

Issues in special education. Classroom experiences to develop awareness and sensitivity to educational needs. Note: Minimum of 12 hours of graduate level coursework in exceptional education required.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

SPED 523    Curriculum/Methods in Early Childhood Special Education    3 Hours

Selection/development of curricula materials for planning, implementation, and evaluation of intervention with children P-5 who have disabilities.

Prerequisite(s): IECE 522 and IECE 521 and IECE 523

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

SPED 525    Intervention Support for Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities    3 Hours

Characteristics of dyslexia and related learning disabilities with emphasis on assessment and data-driven decision making to design specialized, research-based instruction.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; fall 2024

SPED 529    Assessment of Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities    3 Hours

Assessment needs for functional skills across school, home, and community promoting increased independence of students with moderate to severe disabilities. Course includes reading individual psychology reports to working with parents as essential partners in assessing student needs and creating program goals. Field hours required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

SPED 530    Advanced Assessment of Students with Disabilities in General Education    3 Hours

Development of competencies in selecting, designing, interpreting, and administering various assessment techniques for students with high-incidence disabilities (e.g., learning and behavior disorders).

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

SPED 531    Data-Based Individualization in Special Education    3 Hours

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to monitor and interpret academic progress, make instructional decisions, and set goals for individual students based on data gathered from the DBI process.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024

SPED 532    Families, Professionals and Exceptionalities    3 Hours

Interpreting programs for individuals with disabilities to maximize family involvement. Emphasizes the attitudes, skills, and knowledge taught in the educational program.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 533    Seminar: Curriculum for Learning and Behavior Disorders    3 Hours

Development, adaptation, and evaluation of curricula, methods, materials, and resources. Implementing and evaluating instructional programs for students with mild disabilities is stressed.

Prerequisite(s): SPED 516 and SPED 530 and SPED 531

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 534    Research in Exceptional Child Education    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Reading, interpreting and conducting research related to students with disabilities, parents, and teachers. An independent research project is required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2023

SPED 535    Curriculum for Individuals with Moderate and Severe Disabilities    3 Hours

Designing and implementing instruction for learners with severe disabilities using data-driven assessment and research-based pedagogy for student with intense needs. Alternative standards, functioning life skill, and independence to the least restrictive situations are emphasized. Field work required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

SPED 590    Advanced Internship in Special Education    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Clinically supervised instructional practice in an approved setting for development of advanced skills and experience.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

SPED 595    Advanced Preparation Capstone for Special Education    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A capstone course in Special Education for advanced candidates seeking an additional teacher certification area. Practice in implementing instructional skills and procedures. Field observation hours required.

Prerequisite(s): Praxis-Spec ED:mod appl (comp) with a score of 158 or Praxis-Spec ED:Profnd app-comp with a score of 158 and permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022

SPED 599    Thesis Research and Writing    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Thesis research and writing directed by faculty committee.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 600    Maintaining Matriculation    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Continued enrollment for thesis completion.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 610    Characteristics of Low Incidence Disorders    3 Hours

Comprehensive review of low incidence disabilities. Theories of causation, descriptive and diagnostic characteristics, teaching considerations, and legal and social issues. Thirty field experience hours required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024

SPED 611    Advanced Capstone for Low Incidence Disabilities, DD/ASD/MSD    1-6 Hours

A capstone course in Special Education:MSD. Practice in implementing instructional skills and procedures. Field observation required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023

SPED 612    Collaboration between Schools and Stakeholders for Individuals with Disabilities    3 Hours

Preparation of school leaders and teachers to work as consultants in a team model; exploration of local, state and regional agencies involved with individuals with disabilities. Supervised practicum required at designated sites.

Equivalent(s): EDAD 612

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

SPED 615    Instructional Strategies for Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities    3 Hours

Development of competencies and philosophies of instructional design specific to teaching students who receive special education services. Emphasis on research-based instruction strategies, planning, and classroom structures. Field hours required

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

SPED 618    Social Skills Instruction & Behavioral Programming for Students with Disabilities    3 Hours

Development of competencies in assessing, designing, and implementing social skills instruction and behavioral programming for students who receive special education services.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

SPED 619    Assistive Technological and Communication Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders    3 Hours

Investigation of assistive and instructional technology, as well as alternative and augmentative communication devices to implement with students with ASD and PDD. Note: Masters degree required.

Prerequisite(s): SPED 610

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 620    Seminar in the Administration of Special Education    3 Hours

Current trends and issues in the administration and supervision of special education programs.

Equivalent(s): EDAD 620

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

SPED 625    Practicum in the Administration of Special Education    3 Hours

Supervised practice in educational organizations for persons preparing to become a Director of Special Education.

Equivalent(s): EDAD 625

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; fall 2024

SPED 630    Special Education Law and Finance    3 Hours

Comprehensive study of existing federal and state mandates for special education; procedural considerations (e.g., budget, legally defensible decision-making); Applied activities for future special educators (e.g., substantive applications) and district leaders (I.e., budgeting).

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; summer 2023; summer 2024