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.

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.

Diagnostic assessment and instruction of individuals with severe/profound, and/or physical disabilities (low incidence). Emphasis on ideology, characteristics, instruction, transitional programming, and current research. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Current research, instructional strategies, and assessment of individuals with high incidence disabilities. Emphasis on characteristics, identification, current educational approaches, and research. Spring semester. 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 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.

Theories of multicultural education and psychology of difference. The social construction of difference, its influence on educational systems, and teachers’ values and behaviors will be discussed. Pedagogical skills for working with students from non-majority cultures will be presented. Summer. 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.

Educational philosophies and instructional strategies for children with special needs. Topics will focus on: specific characteristics of various disabilities, cultural and language barriers, gifted and talented, current legislation, inclusion strategies, current issues, and research in the field. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Students will design, conduct, and present research projects under the direction of a faculty committee. Prerequisite: SED933. Pass/Fail only. Repeatable for credit. Fall, spring, and summer. 3 credits.

The special education practicum in area field sites provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate competence in using instructional techniques and curriculum appropriate for a variety of exceptional children. 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. By arrangement. Permission required. 3 credits. Fee.

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.

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.

Diagnostic assessment and instruction of individuals with severe/profound, and/or physical disabilities (low incidence). Emphasis on ideology, characteristics, instruction, transitional programming, and current research. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Current research, instructional strategies, and assessment of individuals with high incidence disabilities. Emphasis on characteristics, identification, current educational approaches, and research. Spring semester. 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.

Information processing and sensory anomalies, language development and communication strategies, pragmatics, augmentative and alternative communication systems (AAC), social skills deficits, and approaches for teaching social skills. Prerequisite: SED841. Master’s program session 4. 3 credits.

Basic principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA - the approach confirmed by the US Surgeon General to be most promising and research-supported in the treatment of ASD). An historical perspective concerning the application of ABA with individuals with autism/PDD, including discrete trial analysis of verbal behavior (Skinner, Michael) and direct instruction. Empiricism in educational settings, reinforcement, stimulus control, punishment, prompting, fading, task analysis, generalization, and maintenance. Issues affecting persons with autism and their families will be addressed, including functional analysis of behavior, sleeping, eating, toileting/grooming, and determining credibility of treatments. Application of ABA principles to group/classroom settings. Prerequisite: SED842. Master’s program session 5. 3 credits.

This course investigates instruments of screening, diagnosis, and identification of specific skills in developmental diagnosis, as well as assessment techniques for identification of skills in developmental domains, such as sensory, oral motor, play, and communication/language. Students will practice analyzing assessment results and developing practical strategies detailing what to teach based on assessment results. The course will also give an overview of curricular approaches/materials available and routinely used with individuals on the autism spectrum. Students will learn about long-term program planning (including collaboration with families and service providers, and program planning for life transitions, career/vocational goals). Prerequisite: SED843. Master’s program session 6. 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.

Theories of multicultural education and psychology of difference. The social construction of difference, its influence on educational systems, and teachers’ values and behaviors will be discussed. Pedagogical skills for working with students from non-majority cultures will be presented. Summer. 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.