Course Directory

Soc Emot Disturbed

Focuses on the nature of social and emotional disturbances, and familiarizes the student with atypical behaviors utilizing current classification systems and theoretical models. Emphasizes history, etiology, nature, characteristics, assessment, and treatment approaches. Prerequisites: SPED 126, 128, 129, 226, and 245. Each semester.

Applied Behavior Analysis

This course focuses on principles of applied behavioral analysis in an assessment and treatment of behavioral excess or deficiencies, students will design programs to increase skill acquisition or reducing inappropriate behavior for either groups orindividuals in special education or rehabilitative settings. Prerequisite: SPED 128 & 129

Intro To Serv Learning

Provides an overview of service learning. Presents history, legislation, and theory relevant to service in addition to the components and standards of service learning. Students will be prepared for service through readings in the subject area, sensitivity training, conflict resolution, and etiquette. Students will then spend 30 hours in community-based service activity at three of five priority sites. Students will reflect in writing upon their service and will attend weekly seminars. Prerequisite: ENG 110. On demand.

Sec Trans & Voc Serv

Examines issues and options relative to secondary educational and vocational services for the disabled. Prerequisites: REHB 227 and SPED 220. Each semester.

Seminar-Contem Issues Spec Ed

In this course students will identify critical features that are essential for the implementation of a standards-based instructional delivery system. Students will review the components of a Response to Intervention (RtI) Instructional Delivery Syst,"em and the application of the RtI process in meeting the instructional needs of all students. Prerequisite: SPED 128, 129, 245|

Special Read & Writ Exp Inst

Provides students with specific data-based strategies to teach reading and writing to students with disabilities. Prerequisite: SPED 126, 220, 226, 227, 230, 235, 245.

Special Topics

Deals with topical themes in special education to expand the knowledge and competence of teachers. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. Summers only, on demand.

Ed Assess Pract

Participants conduct a child study in a school setting by selecting, acquiring, analyzing, and synthesizing information needed for educational decision-making regarding an individual with disabilities or with a suspected disability, and using the results to develop an educational intervention plan. Prerequisite: SPED 320. Each semester.

In Dev Strat Mild/Mod Hand

This is the study of individualizing instruction for students with mild disabilities. It involves designing basic instructional sequences utilizing behavioral objectives, matching media, learner, and goal characteristics, and evaluating the effectives of instruction. Prerequisites: SPED 320, 360, 380, 381. Must be taken concurrently with SPED 416. Each semester.

Clin Prac-Mild Dis

This is the study of individualizing instruction for students with mild disabilities. It involves designing basic instructional sequences utilizing behavioral objectives, matching media, learner, and goal characteristics, and evaluating the effectiveness of instruction. Prerequisite: SPED 320, 360, 380, 381. Must be taken concurrently with SPED 415.

Excep Reg Class Id & Ser

Prepares students to deal with the nature and needs of the exceptional person in the regular classroom. Examines contermporary methods of identification, services for the exceptional individual, and legal aspects of the least restrictive environment. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

In Dev Strat S Ph

Study the processes of individualizing instruction for people with moderate, severe, and multiple disabilities. Design basic instructional sequences utilizing behavioral objectives, match instruction with learner and goal characteristics; identify appropriate instructional strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Students will apply oral and written communication skills, quantitative reasoning skills, and other fundamental academic skills to the field of special education. Prerequisite: SPED 320, 360, 380, 381. Must be taken concurrently with SPED 421. Each semester.|

Clin Pract-Mod, Sev, Mult Dis

This practicum places preservice teachers into field settings involving people with moderate, severe, and/or multiple disabilities who will use an individualized independence curriculum. Preservice teachers will implement basic instructional sequences utilizing behavioral objectives, matching instruction with learner and goal characteristics, identifying appropriate instructional strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of instruction. Prerequisite: SPED 320, 360, 380, 381. Must be takenconcurrently with SPED 420.

Special Educ Class Admin

In addition to mastering instructional strategies and curricular content, today's special education teachers are required to be knowledgeable about various theories, policies and procedures necessary for the complex daily administration of the special education program. Competencies included in this course will be: adapting the classroom environment to meet the physical, academic and emotional needs of students; classroom management techniques; development of the IEP, behavior and transition plans; and collaboration with other professionals, paraprofessionals and parents. Prerequisite: SPED 320, 360, 380, 381.|

Sped Block

Clin Prac For High Inc Disab

This practicum places teacher candidates into field settings involving people with high incidence disabilities who use an individualized curriculum. Teacher candidates will match instruction with learner, goal, and curriculum characteristics; identify and implement appropriate instructional strategies aned sequences; and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Prerequisites: SPED 128, 129, 245, 380, 462, 482. Must be taken concurrently with SPED 5/444. Fall and Spring, every year.

Clin Prac For Low Inc Disab

This practicum places teacher candidates into field settings involving people with low incidence disabilities who use an individualized independence curriculum. Teacher candidates will match instruction with learner, goal, and curriculum characteristics; identify and implement appropriate instructional strategies and sequences; and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Prerequisites: SPED 128, 129, 245, 380, 462, 482. Must be taken concurrently with SPED 5/446. Fall and Spring, every year.

Assistive Technology

Students will learn how to assess assistive technology requirements for people with disabilities, make low tech devices, and install and operate computer hardware and software applications in a laboratory experience. Prerquisites: SPED 128, 129, 245, 381, 462, 482.

Specific Learning Disabilities

Focuses on the nature of specific learning disabilities. Includes history, definition, characteristics, assessment, strategies, and tactics of instruction and/or remediation, vocational implications and federal and state laws and regulations in regard to the individual who is learning disabled. Prerequistes: SPED 245 and SPED 350

In Dev Strat Gift

Develops the capacity of the educator to plan, develop, deliver, and evaluate programs that will help the gifted and talented realize their individual and collective potential. Prerequisite: SPED 110 or teaching certificate.

In Dev Str Cultur

A study of the process of individualizing instruction for children who are not members of the dominant culture and whose cultural membership significantly influences the educational process and school performance. Involves designing basic instruction,"al sequences, selecting and matching media with learner and goal characteristics, identifying culture-appropriate instructional strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of instruction. Summer only, on demand.

Tch Stu w/ Disabilities In Sec

This course will prepare educators with the skills and knowledge to deliver and support instruction to students with disabilities in secondary classroom settings. Prerequisite: SPED 418.

Diff Inst In Inclusive Setting

This course focuses on planning, designing, and delivering differentiated instruction to an increasingly diverse general education population, including students with disabilities, students who are gifted, students at risk, and students with cultural differences. Prerequisite: SPED 418.

Prev & Trmt Acad & Learning

This course will review the practice of prevention and intervention in dealing with students who are academically deficient, including, response-to-intervention, scientifically-based instruction, and the teacher, learner, curriculum interface. Prerequisite: SPED 418.

Meth For Ind w/ High Inc Disb

This course is about individualizing instruction for students with mild and moderate disabilities. It involves designing basic instructional sequences, utilizing behavioral objectives, matching technology, learner and goal characteristics, identifying appropriate instructional strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of instruction. Prerequisite: SPED 128, 129, 245, 380, 462 and 482. Must be taken concurrently with SPED 416. Fall and Spring, every year.

Meth For Ind Low Inc Disab

Focuses on individualizing instruction for individuals with low incidence disorders. Includes designing basic instructional sequences, utilizing behavioral objectives, technology, learner and goal characteristics, identifying appropriate instructional strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of instruction. Prerequisites: Sped 128, 129, 245, 380, 462, 482. To be taken concurrently with SPED 427. Fall and Spring, every year.

Student Teaching

Observation and participation in teaching students with disabilities and in activities related to the performance of a teacher's work. Prerequisites: SPED 411 must receive a ""C"" or better, 415, 416, 420, 421, 422.

Professional Seminar

Examines problems, practices, and regulations attending student teaching professional experiences. Coordinates the student teaching program with the educational objectives of the student teaching centers. Examines Pennsylvania school laws relevant to the work of the beginning special educator. Includes practical interpretations of professional ethics and the functions of professional organizations. Limited to student teachers. Each semester.

Educational Assessment

Assists students in acquiring knowledge and skills needed for decision-making regarding individuals with disabilities or suspected disabilities, and apply these skills in case studies. Prerequisites: SPED 128, SPED 129, SPED 245. Each semester.

Augmentative & Altern Comm

Introduces the student to various augmentative/alternative communication systems prevalent in the field. Current and comprehensive information relative to type of disorder. Disgnosis and treatment discussed. Emphasizes the application of unique crite,"ria in diagnostic and the administration of competent and flexible management strategies in rehabilitation. Fall, annually.