Historical perspectives, trends, impacts of legislation and school contexts on the evolving field of special education, K-12; learning theory, styles, and differences including language and psychological processing; characteristics of students with exceptional learning needs, and implications for assessment, instruction, curriculum accommodations and modifications within a continuum of services.

Designing curriculum, instructional strategies and selecting educational strategies to create learning environments and address transition for individuals with exceptional learning needs (ELN). Adaptations to the general curriculum and alternative teaching approaches in K-12 settings in order to integrate and facilitate independence for individuals with ELN will be addressed.

Definition of problem behaviors, collection and analysis of data, and development of interventions to support a variety of behavior change strategies in educational settings. Emphasis is on the development of positive, problem-solving approaches, and strategies for classroom management. Provides theoretical foundations, and practical applications for preventing behavior problems.

Focuses on the theory and practice of assessment for general special education educators at the post baccalaureate level. Includes procedures to identify and assess student learning and behavior needs and outcomes. Informal and formal strategies including standardized tests, observational tools, and curriculum/criterion referenced tests.

Examination of the transition from secondary school environments to post school activities for youth with disabilities relative to career development and self determination. Critical conponents include legal foundations; functional assessment; access to career and technical education, employment, postsecondary training, and independent living.

This course will focus on key components of special education including legal policies and procedures, assessment, learner characteristics, eligibility, instruction, access and inclusion, high-leverage practices, advocacy, collaboration, and programming. Students will explore professional standards and their application to the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the special education process.

This course will focus on practices that increase learner access and progression in the general curriculum. Students will explore learner characteristics, common barriers, and research-based practices that lead to better outcomes. An emphasis will be placed on High-Leverage Practices, Universal Design for Learning, differentiation, assistive technology, and effective strategies.

This course will focus on the knowledge and skills to identify, develop, and implement effective supports and interventions for learners with academic and behavioral goals. Emphasis will be placed on learner characteristics, common support areas, assessment, data-informed decision making, pattern analysis, and data-based individualization.

This course will focus on supporting social, emotional, and behavioral growth across school settings. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based approaches, preventative and responsive strategies, developing safe and productive learning environments, assessment, identification and function procedures, collaboration, ethical and legal guidelines, skill building, and effective interventions.

This course focuses on building advocacy skills to support learners and their families through the special education process and the transitions that occur from pre-K to adulthood. Emphasis will be placed on practices that lead to positive post-school outcomes, self-determination, self-advocacy, collaboration, and teachers as change-agents.

This course focuses on the design and planning of advanced research and recommended practices in the field of special education. An emphasis will be placed on research methods, tools, and effective strategies. Students will design and plan an applied research project that is aligned with the needs of their school.

This course focuses on the implementation of advanced research and recommended practices in the field of special education. An emphasis will be placed on data-based decision making and resource exploration. Students will monitor the progress of an applied research project that is aligned with the needs of their school community.

This graduate internship is the first half of a yearlong field experience and seminar that focuses on the application of special education professional competencies. This internship will focus on the application of legal policies and procedures, ethical guidelines, IEP procedures, collaboration, assessment, effective instruction, and access to the general curriculum.

This graduate internship is the second half of a yearlong field experience and seminar that focuses on the application of special education professional competencies. This internship will focus on effective interventions, data-based decision making, evidence-based strategies, and professional learning.

This course provides an opportunity for students to explore an area of study related to recommended practices under the guidance of a leader in the field. The student will be responsible for exploring and synthesizing literature and research-informed resources to support their school community.

This course can be a continuation of Specialization I or an opportunity to explore another area of study related to recommended practices under the guidance of a leader in the field. The student will be responsible for exploring and synthesizing literature and research-informed resources to support their school community.

Intensive study of a special education topic encountered in a school or community. Topics are usually initiated by the graduate student.

This course focuses on the application of advanced research and teaching skills in the field of special education. Students will engage in research dialogue, data-informed decision-making, and the dissemination of results and recommendations. Emphasis will be placed on solidifying recommended practices in the field of special education.