Special Education
E. Pancsofar, Chair; J. Foshay, J. Walker, M. Williams (Dept. phone
832-2400)
The Department of Special Education prepares teachers to work with learners who
have special needs. At the undergraduate level, the Department offers courses
about exceptionalities that are required for certification of regular education
teachers. Prospective majors should note that the undergraduate major in Special
Education is being phased out as a result of changes in the State of Connecticut
certification requirements. No further students will be admitted, and all
currently admitted students must complete their program requirements, graduate
and be eligible for certification in special education prior to June 1, 2003.
Students who are interested in becoming special education teachers are
encouraged to pursue teacher certification at the undergraduate level in
elementary or secondary education, and then seek cross endorsement in special
education at the graduate level. Contact the Special Education Department, or
refer to the CCSU Graduate Catalog for further information.
Note: The special education major described below is available only to students
who(1) have been admitted to the Professional Program in Special Education and
(2) will complete all requirements, graduate and be eligible for special
education certification prior to June 1, 2003. Special education majors who have
been admitted to the Professional Program are urged to stay in close contact
with their advisers to assure that they meet all applicable requirements.
Criteria for Acceptance
Requirements for Special Education certification include:
1. Formal acceptance into the Professional Program
2. Assignment of an adviser in Special Education to create a planned program of
study
3. Documentation of 30 hours direct experience with regular education students
and 10 hours with special education students
Program Requirements for Special Education Majors (130 credits)
General Education.
Requirements as follows: ENG 110, MATH 101, MATH 113, HIST 261 or 262.
Professional Education. (20 credits)* Courses are taken in clusters as follows:
| EDTE 210 | Education and Teacher Leadership in Diverse Learning Communities |
| EDT 210 | Introduction to Educational Technology |
Enrollment in the following courses requires acceptance to the Professional
Program in Teacher Education.
| RDG 315 | Introduction to Literacy | |
| EDTE 315 | Principles of Learning | |
| SPED 315 | Introduction to Educating Learners with Exceptionalities | |
| and one of the following: | ||
| MATH 213 | Probability and Geometry | |
| MATH 412 | Elementary Mathematical Methods | |
| RDG 412 | Literacy in the Elementary School | |
| RDG 414 | Literacy Across the Middle Level Curriculum | |
| RDG 440 | Literacy in the Secondary School | |
| Specialization Requirements (36 credits) | ||
| SPED 430 | Characteristics and Education of Individuals with Behavioral/Emotional Disorders | |
| SPED 431 | Behavior Management and Social Skills Development | |
| SPED 432 | Characteristics and Education of Individuals with Learning Disabilities | |
| SPED 433 | Educational Assessment for Exceptional Learners | |
| SPED 434 | Characteristics and Education of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities | |
| SPED 435 | Curriculum Adaptations and Teaching Strategies for Learners with Exceptionalities | |
| SPED 436 | Language Arts for Learners with Exceptionalities | |
| SPED 437 | Integrative Seminar for Beginning Special Educators | |
| SPED 438 | Student Teaching with Exceptional Learners I | |
| SPED 439 | Student Teaching with Exceptional Learners II | |
Students majoring in Special Education may select a minor from a variety of
academic disciplines outside of the School of Education and Professional
Studies. The following minors are recommended: mathematics, mathematics and
reading, psychology, and Spanish. Students should consult the catalog and their
Special Education adviser.
Notes:
1. It is the student’s responsibility to see his/her adviser on a regular
basis, as program policies and procedures are subject to change.
2. Students must maintain a 2.70 overall grade point average in Special
Education courses in the major to be recommended for certification.
3. Students must earn a minimum of 2.00 in each Special Education course, and in
each Professional Education course.
4. Students are required to comply with all policies and requirements in force
at the time they are admitted into the Special Education Professional Program.
* Revision subject to Connecticut State Department of Education
approval.