Issues of school reform and their impact on special education. Areas of investigation will include: inclusion; economics; legal issues; interrelationships among homes, family, and community agencies; early intervention practices; transitional alternatives; research and instruction. Master’s program session 1. 3 credits.

Advanced study of human development from conception to adolescence. Course focuses on the typical and atypical physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development of children. Particular emphasis is placed on atypical development in the areas of physical, sensory, and motor development, atypical behavior, and mental health issues as they relate to and impact children with and without special needs. Master’s program session 2. Offered online. 3 credits.

Examination and application of current methods and materials for assisting students as they read, study, and learn in the secondary school content area. The course will investigate differentiated instructional approaches to facilitate learning of the content area curriculum for all students. Master’s program session 4. Offered online. 3 credits.

Teaching strategies for designing curriculum across all content areas to meet the needs of diverse secondary students. Students will learn to integrate reading comprehension strategies to enhance reading and learning across all areas of the curriculum. Students will explore various learning styles and preferences and be able to develop brain-compatible strategies to address learning needs through multisensory teaching. Prerequisite: SED727. Master’s program session 5. Offered online. 3 credits.

Theoretical and practical study of individuals with emotional and behavioral disorders. Emphasis on the definition, characteristics, identification, intervention, educational approaches, research, and instructional strategies. Summer and Master’s program session 3. 3 credits.

Designed to prepare prospective teachers to actively participate in the assessment process. All methods of assessment will be examined. Students will be given instruction in the effective construction and proper use of tests and the legal issues surrounding assessment. Current theories, practices, and research will be investigated. Master’s program session 6. 3 credits.

The impact on a family of a child with disabilities is investigated. The course is designed to develop effective techniques for conferencing and establishing good working relationships with professionals and parents of children with disabilities. Fall semester and Master’s program session 1. 3 credits.

This course investigates pertinent issues related to autism spectrum disorders and deals with the nature and dynamics of autism in relation to school, community, and home environments. Specific topics investigated include: definition and symptoms, family and professional relationships, behavior, multi-faceted treatment strategies, and constructive IEP/inclusion goals and objectives. Master’s program session 3. 3 credits.

This course investigates selected topics related to gifted individuals. It will focus on: assessment issues, instructional designs, delivery systems, promising practices, state standards and guidelines, and characteristics of individuals who are considered to be gifted. Field experiences required. Tubercular check, Act 33 Child Abuse, Act 34 Criminal Record check, Act 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Record, and PDE-6004 (Arrest or Conviction Report and Certification Form) required. Master’s program session 5. Offered online. 3 credits.

This course presents current information on how the brain works, presenting brain-based strategies and techniques to meet the needs of cognitively, ethnically, culturally, and socially diverse student populations in targeted grade levels. The concept of universal design in instruction will be presented. Research findings will be examined with the implications for what to teach as well as how to teach it effectively. Field experiences required. Tubercular check, Act 33 Child Abuse, Act 34 Criminal Record check, Act 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Record, and PDE-6004 (Arrest or Conviction Report and Certification Form) required. Master’s program session 4. Offered online. 3 credits.

This course provides an overview of the many facets of assistive technology. Learners investigate the use of assistive technology as it relates to communication, mobility, education, recreation, vocation, independence, and therapy/rehabilitation. Course activities are designed to provide an overview of assistive technology applications with a focus on basic, secondary, and postsecondary educational environments. Tubercular check, Act 33 Child Abuse, Act 34 Criminal Record check, Act 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Record, and PDE-6004 (Arrest or Conviction Report and Certification Form) required. Master’s program session 2 and 5. Offered online. 3 credits.

This course prepares students to examine and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data. Designed to assist students in choosing research topics, reviewing literature, and selecting appropriate methodology. Each student will produce an introduction to a research proposal and a literature review for this proposal. Master’s program session 5. Offered online. 3 credits.