This program is for candidates with no prior classroom certification. Candidates must meet course prerequisites which include 3 semester hours in English, science, social studies, math, and foreign language. For the foreign language only, two full years in high school will meet the requirement.
Required Core Courses for Initial Certification in Childhood Special Education:
| EDCH 598 | Professional Seminar | |
| SPE 531 | Foundations of Literacy in an Inclusive Classroom | |
| EDCH 540 | Childhood Learning and Development | |
| EDCH 543 | Math Instruction: Elementary | |
| EDCH 545 | Science Instruction: Elementary | |
| EDCH 546 | Multicultural Social Studies | |
| SPE 541 | Inclusive Strategies | |
| SPE 570 | Standards Based Assessment | |
| SPE 580 | Classroom Management | |
| SPE 644 | Collaborative Practices on a Transdisciplinary Team | |
| SPE 631 | Reading & Writing Process for Students with Disabilities (requires 25 hours of field experience) | |
| SPE 640 | Learning and Behavioral Disorders: Etiology & Research-Based Interventions | |
| SPE 650 | Developmental Disabilities & Autism Spectrum Disorders: Analysis of Cauases & Research-Based Interventions | |
| SPE 652 | Functional Curriculum & Assistive Technology for Students with Severe Developmental Disabilities and ASD (requires 25 hours of field experience) | |
| SPE 698 | Seminar in Teaching and Assessment (50 hours – must include whole-class instruction in a childhood classroom) Prereq: B or better in SPE 631 and SPE 652 | |
| Fieldwork: | ||
| SPE 615 | Research Methods | |
| SPE 593 | Student Teaching (one placement in special education, one in childhood) | |
| 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 (Elementary)
CST: Multi-Subject
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 7-9:
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 | |
| EMC 553 | Cognition, Learning Assessment & Diagnostic Teaching: Middle Childhood |
Also requires a 30-credit academic concentration and passing score on the corresponding Content Specialty Test. See your advisor for details before taking these courses.