Special Education
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Minor in Special Education
The minor in special education provide a basic introduction to the teaching and learning processes as they relate to students with disabilities. This minor is recommended for anyone interested in teaching students with disabilities and other special education- or disability-related careers.
No more than eight credits towards the minor can be transferred in from other institutions. For information about transferring courses from other institutions, please contact the Educational Studies department chair.
Completion of the EDSP minor or equivalent course work is a prerequisite for admission to the elementary special education MAT certification track but does not guarantee that a student will be admitted to the program. These are specific content courses required for special education teacher certification in Maryland. Students who are considering the MAT should meet with their advisor or an educational studies faculty member about course selection. For a complete list of these courses for each certification area, please contact the Educational Studies department chair.
Students who complete the Special Education minor are not eligible for the Educational Studies minor.
Learning Outcomes
- Graduates will be knowledgeable about the influence of various laws, policies, theories, historical events, and systemic structures regarding special education.
- Graduates will be knowledgeable about the motivational, developmental, cognitive, linguistic, and socio-affective needs of learners with disabilities who require special education support.
- Graduates will be knowledgeable of common special education populations whose needs require specially designed instruction in order to access a free and appropriate public education as mandated by federal law.
- Graduates will value the principles of inclusion in school and community while recognizing that there are a variety of settings where children with disabilities can live and learn appropriately.
- Graduates will know how to effectively communicate in speech, writing, and through symbolic or technology-mediated means.
- Graduates will know how to engage in reflective practice.
Degree Requirements for the Special Education Minor
General College Requirements
- General College Requirements (see “Curriculum” section.)
- All requirements in a major area of study.
Required Courses
At least 24 credit hours, through the successful completion of the following six courses, with a minimum earned a grade of C in each course, but with a combined minimum GPA of 3.0:
- EDUC 336: Exceptionality: Introduction to Special Education (4 credits)
- EDUC/PSYC 368: Educational Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 331: Infant and Child Development (4 credits) (preferred) OR PSYC 230: Lifespan Development (4 credits)
- EDUC 296: Language Acquisition and Phonemic Awareness (4 credits)
- EDUC 331-Topics in Behavior and Related Disorders (4 credits)
- EDUC 339-Learning Disabilities (4 credits)