Program of Study (SPED)
Full-time schedule
Students in the full-time program complete practicum and student teaching in schools during the day and attend five or more courses during the day and evenings. The time commitment required means that students cannot work while enrolled in the full-time program. The following diagram gives an overview of the scope and sequence of the Special Educator full-time program:
| Prior to Admission |
14 credits
|
PSY 311, MATH 211 & 212, and SPED 418 or 518: Prerequisites must be completed before Summer Session 2 |
| Summer Session 1 |
6 credits
|
Two foundational courses |
| Summer Session 2 |
7 credits
|
Two methods courses |
| Summer Session 3 | 2 credits | Introductory field experience and seminar |
| Fall |
16 credits
|
Courses that address instruction, assessment, classroom management, and working with parents and families. Includes a field experience that requires approximately 9 clock hours weekly at a school site plus weekly seminar |
| Winter |
16 credits
|
Assessment and methods courses continue. Includes a field experience that approximately 9 clock hours weekly at a school site plus weekly seminar |
| Spring |
16 credits
|
Full-time Student Teaching (full day, 5 days/week) and seminar. |
Part-time schedule
The part-time program is designed for individuals working in schools as educational assistants in special education or in other occupations. Students in the part-time program must be available for their supervised teaching experiences in schools during the day. During the school year, part-time students take two courses a term. (Whenever possible, coursework is scheduled for the same weeknight.) Coursework is also scheduled during the summer. Students in the part-time program working as educational assistants in special education may petition to fulfill some of their supervised field experience requirements at their work site. The following diagram gives an overview of the scope and sequence of the Special Educator part-time program:
| Prior to admission | 14 credits | PSY 311, MATH 211 & 212 and SPED 418 or 518: Prerequisites must be completed before Summer Session 2 |
| Year 1 | ||
| Summer sessions | 15 credits | Same as for full-time (described above), including introductory field experience |
| Fall |
6 credits
|
Reading methods and field experience with literacy focus |
| Winter |
7 credits
|
Program coursework continues |
| Spring |
6 credits
|
Program coursework continues, including field experience with focus on students with more significant discabilities |
| Year 2 | ||
| Summer |
0 credits
|
No required classes; may take master's core courses |
| Fall |
6 credits
|
Program coursework continues |
| Winter |
7 credits
|
Program coursework continues |
| Spring |
16 credits
|
Full-time Student Teaching (full day, 5 days/week) and seminar |
Licensure information
Visit the Graduate School of Education Licensure site.
