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2020-21 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | School of Education and Social Work | Teacher Education | Majors

Childhood and Special Education, B.S.

[Childhood Education and Special Education B.S. - 0808]

This undergraduate major will lead to initial certification in both Childhood Education (grades 1-6) and Students with Disabilities (grades 1-6). Students enrolled in this major will be taught inclusive strategies that will qualify them to teach in a traditional elementary classroom, a self-contained special education classroom (elementary), and an inclusion classroom (elementary). The dual certification offered by this program will greatly enhance a graduate’s ability to be employed in either an elementary school or a facility devoted to special education. 

SPECIFICS OF THE CHILDHOOD & SPECIAL EDUCATION B.S. DEGREE

Minimum Total Hours: 130

Total Liberal Arts Hours Required: 60

General Education Requirements: Per General Education List (see General Education Council). Exceptions: only one fine arts course is required; PSY 203 must be taken to meet the behavioral science requirement; PHS 101 and BIO 104 must both be taken to meet the lab science requirement (met through the major in Math, Science & Technology concentrations); MTH 161 and 162 must be taken to meet the mathematics proficiency requirement for students in any concentration other than Science or Math; MTH 261 and 262 must be taken to meet the mathematics proficiency requirement for students in the Science or Math concentrations.

Minimum Requirements: Overall and major GPA of 2.7; no grade less than C in the concentration; no grade less than C+ in all 100 level education courses; no grade less than B- in 200, 300, and 400 level education courses; minimum grade of C in CMC 105 and CMP 101, and the mathematics proficiency courses.

Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies.

Application to the Major:  A minimum overall GPA of 2.7 is required to be accepted and to remain in the major.  It is extremely important for students to follow all stated guidelines, policies, and progressions in order to be admitted to and remain enrolled in the Teacher Education Program. See Admission to Teacher Education Programs at the beginning of the Department of Teacher Education section.

Major Requirements: 79 hours as follows:

  • EDU 185 Education in a Changing World (3);
  • EDU 195 Foundations of Special Education (3);
  • EDU 195 OPE*-25 hours (0);
  • EDU 235 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment I (3);
  • EDU 255 Foundations of Language & Literacy (3);
  • EDU 335 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment II (3);
  • EDU 355 Literacy in Childhood Classrooms (3);
  • EDU 355 OPE*-25 hours (0);
  • EDU 360 Creating Inclusive Learning Communities (3);
  • EDU 360 OPE*-25 hours (0);
  • EDU 365 Assessment for Special Education (3);
  • EDU 373 Elementary Curriculum & Methods (Gr. 1-3) (3);
  • EDU 373 OPE*-25 hours (0);
  • EDU 374 Elementary Curriculum & Methods (Gr. 4-6) (3);
  • EDU 374 OPE*-25 hours (0);
  • EDU 390 Collaboration for Learning (3);
  • EDU 394 Culturally Responsive Teaching (2);
  • EDU 394 OPE*-25 hours (0)
  • EDU 401A & 401B Student Teaching (6 + 6);
  • EDU 441 Childhood Education Student Teaching Seminar (2);
  • Training in Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment;
  • Training in School Violence Prevention and Intervention;
  • Training in the Needs of Students with Autism;
  • Training in Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention (DASA);
  • Completion of one concentration (30-hour minimum), selected from the following:
    • Language Arts/English
    • Liberal Arts & Science
    • Mathematics, Science & Technology with an emphasis in Math
    • Mathematics, Science & Technology with an emphasis in Science
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish

(Contact the Department of Teacher Education for a comprehensive list of requirements for the degree and concentration of your choice.)

* OPE means Observation/Participation Experience (Fieldwork)

Students must register for OPE concurrently with course of same number, e.g. EDU 374 and EDU 374 OPE.