Updated 2019-2020 Graduate Catalog
Special Education Courses
SPED 5105 Professional Practice in Special Education I (1 credits)
This one-credit course is designed to augment the clinical experiences required throughout the Special Education Licensure Program and facilitate interaction with teacher coaches/mentors. This course is taken during the candidate's first semester in the program. Signature Assessment 1 is completed in this course. Prerequisites: Current teacher license or completion of a teaching degree or completion of ED 5100, ED 5110, enrolled in or completed ED 5350 or consent of instructor. Corequisite: SPED 5600.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5106 Professional Practice in Special Education II (1 credits)
This one-credit course is designed to augment the clinical experiences required throughout the Special Education Licensure Program and facilitate interaction with teacher coaches/mentors. The course is taken during the program's third semester. Signature Assessment 2 is completed in this course. Prerequisites: SPED 5600, SPED 5105, and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5107 Professional Practice in Special Education III (2 credits)
This two-credit course is designed to augment the clinical experiences required throughout the Special Education Licensure Program and facilitate interaction with teacher coaches/mentors. The course is taken during the program's fifth semester together with the final courses in the program. Signature Assessment 3 is completed in this course. Ten hours of field work for consultation and discussion with the mentor teacher and other professionals in the schools regarding content in the course and tasks related to Signature Assessment 3, are required. Prerequisites: SPED 5105, SPED 5106, SPED 5600, and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5566 Survey of Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
This is an introductory level survey course that studies the strategies, methods and materials for educational programming necessary when teaching students with mild disabilities. This course focuses on history, etiology, characteristics, and instructional needs for individuals with mild disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional Behavior Disorders. This course addresses learner traits relevant to specific intervention methods and instructional strategies across content areas as well as the roles of educators in inclusive settings to successfully collaborate to meet the needs of individuals with exceptionalities.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5567 Survey of Special Education Law (3 credits)
The focus of this course is on a formal set of policies and procedures to be implemented by schools and districts for children in special education programs. This course introduces students to the referral, evaluation, planning, and programming process. This course will build an understanding of the role a teacher of special education has: being able to address academic and behavioral strategies, understands and applies principles of prevention and intervening early and procedures for referral, assessment, evaluation, individualized planning, programming, and placement specific to teaching students who have mild to moderate needs in the areas of academics, behavior, social, emotional, communication, and functional performance. 20 hours of field experience.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5600 Study of the Learner with Special Needs (3 credits)
This is a foundation course for special education. The course provides an introductory overview of special education and characteristics and learning needs of school-age children with exceptionalities. A 15-hour approved clinical experience at the Kindergarten through 12 grade (K-12) level is required. The course is taken simultaneously with SPED 5105. Prerequisites: Current standard teaching license or completion of a teaching degree or completion of ED 5100, ED 5110, enrolled in or completed ED 5350 or consent of instructor. Co-requisite: SPED 5105 (Exempt: Developmental Adaptive Physical Education (DAPE) program.) Consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5620 Teaching the Learner with Specific Learning Disabilities I (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce the candidate to the field of learning disabilities. It is a study of learners whose learning problems inhibit their ability to meet academic performance standards and developmental expectations for their age. Emphasis is placed on historical foundations, current education definitions of learning deficits, federal and Minnesota eligibility criteria for services, etiology of learning disabilities, relationship between learning disabilities and other associated conditions, impact of information processing deficits on children with learning disabilities, and social or emotional aspects of children and youth with learning disabilities. A 20-hour approved clinical experience at the Kindergarten through 6 grade (K-6) level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5630 Teaching the Learner with Emotional Behavioral Disorders I (3 credits)
The course is an introduction to the characteristics and needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorders within the context of school, family and community settings. A 20-hour approved clinical experience at the Kindergarten through 6 grade (K-6) level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5650 Collaborative Techniques for Special Educators (3 credits)
A study of the importance of and techniques for collaboration with parent, caregivers, community services and other support services to enhance the learning outcomes for students with special needs. A 10-hour approved clinical experience at the Kindergarten through 12 grade (K-12) level is required. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5655 Due Process in Special Education I: Individual Education Plan (3 credits)
The course focuses on a formal set of policies and procedures to be implemented by schools and districts for children in special education programs. This course concentrates on the creation of compliant Individualized Education Plans (IEP) to meet the academic and/or emotional and behavioral needs of students receiving special education services. A 10-hour approved clinical experience at the Kindergarten through 6 grade (K-6) level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5660 Teaching the Learner with Autism Spectrum Disorder I: Mild to Moderate (3 credits)
This course presents a whole-person perspective of individuals with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and surveys research-based approaches to teaching, biological and neurological information necessary for assessment, genetic research, legislation, and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Code of Ethics. The course material covers birth through the age of 21 and requires 20 hours of field experience with 10 hours dedicated to birth to Pre-Kindergarten and 10 hours dedicated to Kindergarten through Grade 6. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5665 Social Skills (3 credits)
This course is designed to explore evidence based social skill and communication skill interventions for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) and Specific Learning Disability (SLD). The course requires 20 hours of field experience with students in Grades 5-8. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 5715 Curriculum Techniques with Special Populations (3 credits)
The focus of the course is curricular interventions and techniques for accommodating diverse learners within the general education setting. A 20-hour approved clinical experience at the 6-8 grade level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6603 Math Difficulties: Diagnosis and Intervention (3 credits)
The course is a study of the problems students with learning needs exhibit in mathematics and of explicit teaching practices that are proven to be successful. Diagnostic, remedial and instructional activities that meet state standards and reflect National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) scope and sequence in mathematics are explored, developed and applied. A 10-hour approved clinical experience at the 5-8 level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6605 Due Process in Special Education II: Assessment and Reporting (3 credits)
This course focuses on a formal set of policies and procedures to be implemented by schools and districts for children in special education programs. It concentrates on the assessment of students receiving special education services. A 20-hour approved clinical experience at the 9-12 grade level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6608 Reading Difficulties: Diagnosis and Intervention (3 credits)
The course studies the problems students with learning needs may exhibit in the area of reading and explicit teaching practices that are successful with such learners. Diagnostic, remedial and instructional best-practice strategies and activities are explored and applied. Minnesota elementary reading standards are embedded in this course. A 20-hour approved clinical experience at the 5-8 grade level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6610 Current Issues In Special Education (3 credits)
Designed to introduce the student to current issues in the field of special education including legislation, litigation, and current practices. Students complete CITI research modules and start work on the proposal for their Master in Special Education project. Prerequisites: Completed a minimum of 8 required courses in the Master of Special Education degree program or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6620 Teaching the Learner with Specific Learning Disabilities II (3 credits)
The course is designed to provide continuing study into the field of learning disabilities. It is a study of learners whose learning problems inhibit their ability to meet academic performance standards and developmental expectations for their age. Emphasis is placed on designing individual education program plans to implement developmentally appropriate instruction for students with learning disabilities or learning deficits. Teaching strategies to assist students in developing lifelong skills to transfer into general education and transition areas are studied. A 15-hour approved clinical experience at the 9-12 grade level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600, SPED 5620 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6630 Teaching the Learner with Emotional Behavioral Disorders II (3 credits)
The course studies the assessment and management of behavior problems in the classroom. Techniques include functional behavioral assessments, cognitive strategies, behavior modification techniques and crisis prevention. A 20-hour approved clinical experience at the 9-12 level is required. Prerequisites: SPED 5600, SPED 5630 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6660 Teaching the Learner with Autism Spectrum Disorder II: Moderate to Severe (3 credits)
This course presents a whole-person perspective of individuals with moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder and surveys research-based approaches to teaching, biological and neurological information necessary for assessment, genetic research, legislation, transition and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Code of Ethics. The course material covers birth through the age of 21 and requires 20 hours of field experiences with individuals from 9th grade to the age of 21. Prerequisites: SPED 5600, SPED 5660 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6680 Single Subject Research in Special Education (3 credits)
Study of single subject research analysis as used in special education. Includes strategic issues for conducting single subject research design, methodology, and interpretation of data. Students complete the proposal for the Master in Special Education project. Prerequisites: SPED 6610 or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6690 Summative Applications in Special Education (3 credits)
Culminating experience where students demonstrate their development as reflective professionals within the field of special education. Students complete and present their Master in Special Education project. Prerequisites: SPED 6610 and SPED 6680, or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline
SPED 6921 Directed Group Study (3 credits)
Arranged group study
Common Course Outline