This program is for candidates with no prior teaching certification. Candidates must have an approved concentration in English, science, math, social studies and three semester hours in foreign language are also required. Two full years of foreign language in high school will also meet the requirement.
Required Core Courses for Initial Certification in Adolescence Special Ed:
| EDCH 598 | Professional Seminar | |
| EDAD 502 | Foundations of Literacy | |
| EDAD 534 | Teaching Strategies & Assessment: Adolescence | |
| EDAD 535 | Learning & Human Development: Adolescence | |
| EDAD 536 | Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners | |
| EDAD 561-566 | Methods of Teaching Course (Choose appropriate one for certification content area) | |
| SPE 570 | Standards Based Assessment | |
| SPE 580 | Classroom Management | |
| SPE 631 | Reading & Writing for Students with Disabilities (includes 25 hours of field experience) | |
| SPE 640 | Learning and Behavioral Disorders: Etiology and Research-Based Interventions | |
| SPE 644 | Collaborative Practices on a Transdisciplinary Team | |
| SPE 649 | Transition Issues for Students with Disabilities | |
| SPE 650 | Autism Spectrum & Severe Developmental Disorders | |
| SPE 652 | Functional Curriculum & Assistive Technology for Students with Severe Developmental Disabilities and ASD (requires 25 hours of field experience) | |
| Fieldwork: | ||
| SPE 615 | Research Methods | |
| SPE 698 | Seminar in Teaching and Assessment (includes 50 hours of field experience – must include whole-class instruction in an adolescence classroom) | |
| SPE 593 | Student Teaching (one placement in special education, one in adolescence) Prereq is B or better in SPE 631, 652, & 698 | |
| EDU 595 | Child Abuse Seminar | |
| EDU 596 | Prevention of School Violence Seminar | |
| SPE 594 | Student Teaching Seminar |
Total Credits: 54
Required Certification Exams for Initial Certification in Childhood and Childhood Special Education:
LAST: Liberal Arts and Science Test
ATS-W: Assessment of Teaching Skills – Written (Adolescence)
CST: Adolescence Content Area
CST: Content Specialty Test – (Students with Disabilities)
Other Certification Requirements:
1. Fingerprinting
2. Child Abuse Seminar
3. Prevention of School Violence Seminar
Optional: Middle Childhood Extension for Grades 5-6:
Note: This is a regular middle childhood extension in the content area, not a disabilities extension.
Two courses, 3 credits each
| EMC 552 | Human Growth and Development: Middle Childhood | |
| EMC 553 | Cognition, Learning, Assessment & Diagnostic Teaching: Middle Childhood |