Special Education Major, B.A./B.S.

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Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education >> Teacher Education

The student who desires to become a special education educator will complete the following minimum course of study that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and initial practitioner Indiana Instructional license in exceptional needs: mild intervention. Special education majors are encouraged to also complete a “highly qualified” teaching minor.

Teaching Major Grade & GPA Requirement

Students completing a teaching major must earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.75 major GPA, and a grade of C or better in all courses applied toward degree requirements.

Special Education Core 39 Requirements - 41 credit hours

Within Core 39, special education majors are required to complete specific courses as indicated in the chart below to meet content requirements for licensure in special education.

Foundations (14 hours)
Composition I	ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self	3 hrs
Composition II	ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World	3 hrs

Communication	Choose one of:
	CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking or	3 hrs
	CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

Mathematics	Any Core 39 approved Foundation Mathematics course	3 hrs
Physical Activity and Wellness	KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness	1 hr
FYE	UNIV 101 - First Year Experience	1 hr
Civic and Cultural Awareness (13 hours) - 4 Categories of Ways of Knowing
Historical Inquiry	Choose one of:	3 hrs
	HIST 101 - The United States to 1865
	HIST 102 - The United States since 1865

Scientific and Mathematical Inquiry	MATH 203 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II (Note: MATH 103 is a prerequisite)	4 hrs

Social Inquiry	EDUC 221 - Diversity and Equity in Education	3 hrs

Creative & Aesthetic Expression or World Languages & Culture	Choose one course from either category (must be a unique prefix)	3 hrs
Bachelor of Science (14 credits)
World Language and Culture	GEOG 330 - World Geography	3 hrs

Natural Science with Lab	BIOL 108 - Biology for Educators AND	4 hrs
	GEOL 108 - Earth-Space Science for Educators

Natural Science with Lab	CHEM 108 - Chemistry for Educators AND	4 hrs
	PHYS 108 - Physics for Educators

Social Science	Social Science Elective	3 hrs

Students may pursue a BA degree by completing modern language courses (ARAB, CHIN/FREN/GERM/JPN/LATN/SPAN) 101, 102, 203, and 204. For a BA degree, the social science elective may be omitted. However, GEOG 330 and the 8 hours of science are still required.
Embedded Experiences (in core, major and/or elective courses)
Diversity	EDUC 221 - Diversity and Equity in Education

Global	GEOG 330 - World Geography

Writing	EDUC 221 - Diversity and Equity in Education AND
	EDUC 458 - Seminar in Professional Education

Professional Education Courses for Special Education (63 hours)

EDUC 206 - Introduction to Exceptionalities Credits: 3
EDUC 246 - Foundations of Literacy Credits: 3
EDUC 261 - Special Needs: Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
EDUC 292 - Explorations in Elementary Education Credits: 3 or
EDUC 283 - Explorations in Secondary Education Credits: 3
EDUC 315 - Management for Students with Exceptional Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 378 - Introduction to Phonemic Awareness Credits: 3
EDUC 398 - Reading Methods Credits: 3
EDUC 408 - Teaching Reading to Students with Special Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 411 - Legal and Contemporary Issues Related to Exceptional Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 412 - Assessing Students with Special Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 413 - Exceptional Needs Instructional Strategies I Credits: 3
EDUC 418 - Exceptional Needs Instructional Strategies II Credits: 3
EDUC 421 - Exceptional Needs Practicum I: Elementary Credits: 3
EDUC 422 - Exceptional Needs Practicum II: Secondary Credits: 3
EDUC 423 - Collaborative Partnerships Credits: 3
EDUC 437 - Classroom Management through Data-based Decision Making Credits: 3
EDUC 493 - Language, Comprehension, and Writing Credits: 3
EDUC 458 - Seminar in Professional Education Credits: 3
EDUC 424 - Supervised Student Teaching in Special Education Credits: 3-9

Content Area Minor Requirement

In order to be considered “highly qualified” in an area, candidates must complete an established minor in a content area typically taught in P-12 schools. Candidates may minor in elementary education or early childhood education but will only be considered “highly qualified” at those grade levels. The highly qualified status is not required for licensure but it is required for employment.

The candidate must complete the courses listed above and earn 120 credit hours to graduate.

Special Education Major, B.A./B.S.

Teaching Major Grade & GPA Requirement

Special Education Core 39 Requirements - 41 credit hours

Foundations (14 hours)

Civic and Cultural Awareness (13 hours) - 4 Categories of Ways of Knowing

Bachelor of Science (14 credits)

Embedded Experiences (in core, major and/or elective courses)

Other Content Requirements

Professional Education Courses for Special Education (63 hours)

Content Area Minor Requirement