Elementary Education/Exceptional Student Education Major

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An Elementary and Exceptional Student Education major is immersed in the field of special education through coursework and practicum experiences in local elementary, middle, and high school. Majors will work with students with high incidence (mild) and low (moderate to severe) disabilities identified through the law. Students will explore the foundations, identification, and strategies for how individuals with disabilities are best served in public education.

ELEM/ESE majors also explore:

Case law and ethical standards that govern the education of students with exceptionalities
The characteristics of students with exceptionalities using the eligibility criteria of categories included in current state and federal laws and regulations governing K-12 education programs.
Typical and atypical development of physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional stages of students in the K-12 educational system.
Varied instructional strategies and resources, including appropriate technology, to provide comprehensible instruction, and to teach for student understanding.
Differentiation of instruction based on an assessments of student learning needs and recognition of individual differences in students.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Cheryl McCarthy

Professional Education Courses (32 Hours)

EDU 202 - Introduction to Child and Adolescent Development in the Educational Setting Credits: 3
EDU 241 - Professional Development 1 Credits: 1
EDU 242 - Instructional Design for Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
EDU 309 - Introduction to Techniques in Exceptionality Credits: 3 (15-hour practicum)
EDU 321 - General Methods of Instruction Credits: 3
EDU 355 - Tests and Measurements Credits: 3
EDU 357 - Classroom Management Credits: 3 (15-hour practicum)
EDU 461 - Professional Development II Credits: 1
EDU 481 - Internship Credits: 12

Elementary Education Courses (24 Hours)

EEL 261 - Elementary Methods - Mathematics I Credits: 3
EEL 301 - Elementary Reading Instruction Credits: 3 (15-hour practicum)
EEL 302 - Children’s Literature: Reading Across the Content Areas Credits: 3
EEL 342 - Elementary Methods of Social Studies Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)
EEL 362 - Elementary Methods - Mathematics II Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)
EEL 364 - Elementary Methods of Science Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)
EEL 431 - Elementary Methods of Language Arts Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)
EEL 455 - Diagnostic Reading Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)

Exceptional Student Education Courses (12 Hours)

ESE 330 - Techniques in Assessment of Exceptional Children Credits: 3
ESE 365 - Language Development and Speech Disabilities Credits: 3
ESE 420 - Instructional Practices: Elementary Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)
ESE 425 - Instructional Practices: Secondary Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)

ESOL Courses (9 Hours)

ESL 315 - Cross Cultural Communications Credits: 3
ESL 325 - Applied Linguistics Credits: 3
ESL 415 - ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development Credits: 3 (20-hour practicum)

Department Required Mathematics Course (3 Hours)

MAT 138 - Essentials of Mathematics Credits: 3

Elective Courses (At Least 7 Hours)

To meet the minimum 120-hour graduation requirement, at least 13 additional credit hours must be earned.