Special Education
Courses
EDEX 514 Special Education Student Teaching Seminar 6.0 Credits
The seminar course is designed to develop the student's special education teaching knowledge, skills and abilities through field placement, supervision and reflective practice. Each week, the instructor and students will meet to share experiences, participate in best practice workshops, resource exploration, case study presentations and to reflect on what is being learned while student teaching in classrooms. Students will be required to complete 12 weeks of full time student teaching with increasing responsibilities to simulate the role of the PK-12 special educator. For more than half of the student teaching experience, students will assume full responsibility for the planning and delivery of instruction. Students will be assigned a university supervisor and be observed 5 times over the course of the term.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 536 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 543 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 549 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 550 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 552 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 555 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 575 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 578 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 568 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 588 [Min Grade: B] and EDUC 521 [Min Grade: B] and EDUC 515 [Min Grade: B] and EDUC 522 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 534 Foundations of Inclusive Education 3.0 Credits
This course provides an overview of the essentials of special education and how to manage instruction for students with diverse learning and behavioral profiles. The course will cover the purposes and uses of various forms of assessment in special education with an emphasis on legal and ethical considerations in assessment as part of the eligibility process for students with disabilities. The etiology, characteristics and prevalence of specific disabilities will also be highlighted. Curricular, environmental and instructional intervention adaptations to address learning and behavioral needs in the inclusive classroom will be reviewed. Research on inclusive education approaches of collaboration, co-teaching, differentiated instructional delivery models and universal design for learning will be discussed.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 536 Special Education Law and Process 3.0 Credits
This course focuses on special education processes available for students with disabilities in grades PK-12. Specifically, this course provides an overview of child find, evaluation and education and IEP/IFSP development, implementation and monitoring concepts; as mandated by IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students will apply special education process strategies such as collaboration, problem solving, progress monitoring and early dispute resolution techniques. Specific legal cases will be reviewed throughout the term. A field experience component is required for this course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 542 Fundamentals of Special Education 3.0 Credits
This course provides an overview of the essentials of special education for today's teachers. Specific emphasis is placed on the history of special education, purposes of formal and informal assessments and current research on inclusive classrooms. Additional focus will be placed on legal/ethical considerations in testing and the translation of data.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 543 Emotional and Behavioral Support of Individuals with Disabilities 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is on both low and high-incidence emotional and behavioral problems encountered in general and special education environments. Specific emphasis will be on understanding of characteristics and interventions that work with the most challenging students. The course also emphasizes behavior reduction strategies that are consistent with a positive behavioral support approach. Research in the area of behavior disorders will also be introduced. Field experience hours are required for this course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 544 Inclusive Practices 3.0 Credits
This course focuses on the management of instruction for all students in the inclusive classroom by examining the diverse cognitive, physical, social, behavioral and language development of children and emphasizes curricular, environmental and instructional adaptations in addressing students' needs. This course has a field component.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: C]
EDEX 549 Teaching Individuals with High Incident Disabilities 3.0 Credits
This course focuses on high-incidence disabilities, specifically learning disabilities and language disorders encountered in the general and special education environments. Additional emphasis is placed on an understanding of characteristics and interventions that support these students. Research-based instructional strategies and accommodations will also be discussed. Field observation hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: C] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: C]
EDEX 550 Teaching Individuals with Low Incident Disabilities 3.0 Credits
This course focuses on curriculum development approaches, instructional strategies and accommodations for students with low incident and moderate/severe disabilities, with emphasis on age-appropriate functional education in school and community based programs. Additional emphasis is placed on disabilities such as low vision and blindness, hearing impairment and deafness and severe health and physical disabilities. Field observation hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: C] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: C]
EDEX 552 Integrating Technology for Learning & Achievement 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to teach educators how to integrate technology into instruction to support achievement in general and special education classes, specifically to support reading, writing and mathematics achievement. It also focuses on the use of technology for universal design for learning and using assistive technology with students with disabilities. Field observation hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: C] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: C]
EDEX 555 Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is on students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific emphasis will be on the understanding of characteristics, instructional strategies, and interventions that work with the range of students with ASD. The course also emphasizes behavior reduction strategies that are consistent with a positive behavioral support approach for use with students with ASD. Research in the area of ASD will also be emphasized. Field experience hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 556 Characteristics & Methods: Autism 3.0 Credits
This course furthers the student’s understanding of the diagnosis of Autism. Students will explore current issues and best practices in providing educational services that meet the unique characteristics and needs of students with Autism. Field observation hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 555 [Min Grade: B] or ABA 630 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 558 Characteristics & Methods: High Functioning Autism 3.0 Credits
This course furthers the student’s understanding of the diagnosis of High-Functioning Autism. Students will explore current issues and best practices in providing educational services that meet the unique characteristics and needs of students with High-Functioning Autism. Field experience hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 551 [Min Grade: B] or EDEX 630 [Min Grade: B] or ABA 630 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 560 Communication & Language Interventions: Autism Spectrum Disorders 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is on communication and language skills, deficits, needs, and interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Students will gain an understanding of the development of communication and interventions for students with ASD who are non-verbal, limited verbal, or verbal. Social pragmatics will be covered. Fieldwork hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 551 [Min Grade: B] or EDEX 630 [Min Grade: B] or ABA 630 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 562 Behavior & Sensory Support: Autism Spectrum Disorders 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is on specific behavioral and sensory issues of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Students will gain skills in research-based interventions for the behavioral issues and sensory needs of students with ASD. Close attention will be paid to prevention strategies that are effective for students with ASD. Field observation hours are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 551 [Min Grade: B] or EDEX 630 [Min Grade: B] or ABA 630 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 568 Literacy and Content Skill Development PK-12 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is literacy skill development of students at-risk for reading disabilities and those students currently identified with reading disabilities. The course will teach a variety of instructional interventions and strategies for improving student decoding, encoding and comprehension in the content areas. The course will also focus on improving vocabulary, fluency, and motivation in students who struggle with reading. Writing strategies and Common Core standards will be addressed. The course includes assessing and progress monitoring in order to determine the success of the interventions and strategies. This course requires a field experience.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 570 Integrating Assistive Technology for Individuals with High Incident Disabilities 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to teach educators how to integrate assistive technology into instruction to support achievement in general and special education classes for students with disabilities in high incidence programs.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 552 [Min Grade: C]
EDEX 572 Integrating Assistive Technology for Individuals with Low Incident Disabilities 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to teach educators how to integrate assistive technology into instruction for students with low incidence disabilities, including communication impairments, intellectual disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 552 [Min Grade: C]
EDEX 575 Teaching STEAM in an Inclusive Environment PK-12 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is the teaching of science, technology, mathematics and the arts to all students in an inclusive environment. STEAM is an educational approach that uses content for guiding students in inquiry, dialogue, creative and critical thinking. These are critical life skills that students with disabilities often struggle to master. This course will teach instructional interventions and co-teaching strategies for improving student understanding of complex concepts and fostering experiential and creative learning opportunities. Field experience hours are required for this course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 578 Special Education Practicum PK-12 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is on instructional strategies to meet the unique learning needs of students with disabilities. Lesson planning, unit planning and grouping strategies are key elements in this course. Collaboration with other teaching and non-teaching staff members in all delivery settings also is emphasized. Students choose, evaluate, and construct instructional materials. This course has a stage III field experience and candidates will be observed by a university supervisor a minimum of three times during the term.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 580 Social Emotional Wellness and Evidence-Based Preventative School Practices 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to teach educators the critical role that social emotional wellness plays in the academic, social and behavioral development of children and youth. Research based programs and practices, including but not limited to, universal screening and school-wide PBIS and proactive educative approaches to encouraging coping and resiliency will be highlighted. Students will develop an understanding of universal screenings, assessments and instructional strategies related to resiliency and social emotional wellness. 15 hours of field placement are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 581 Understanding Social Emotional Disorders 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to provide educators with an understanding of social emotional wellness and common types of mental health issues that children and youth in school experience. An understanding of the role adverse childhood experiences and trauma has on the growth, development and learning of children and youth will be stressed. Additionally, the role of the teacher and the school in contributing information to the assessment process and their responsibility to provide support according to a student’s classification and/or diagnosis will be explored. 15 hours of field placement are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 582 Evidence-Based School Interventions and Trauma Informed Education/Care 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to teach educators about research-based interventions that schools use to support individual students in the general education setting who are struggling with mental health issues or students who have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences. Students will gain an understanding of the critical features of mandated and best-practice programs (e.g., trauma-informed care, PBIS, crisis planning) that support students within school settings. Evidence-based tools that can be used on a daily basis will be presented as well as crisis de-escalation. This course will focus on the use of data to inform educational practices and interventions. 15 hours of field placement are required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 583 Collaboration and Community Based Practices to Promote Social Emotion Wellness 3.0 Credits
This course will highlight the need to work collaboratively and authentically with parents, students and the community to address and promote social emotional wellness as well as intervening with students who are experiencing mental health issues at an intensive level. Tools and processes to communicate and advocate on behalf of students will be highlighted. Structured, intensive interventions, curriculum, and best practices will be addressed that have research support to address the needs of the individual students most in need of supports. This is a 3-credit course with 15 hours of field placement required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 588 Implementing Academic Interventions in Inclusive Educational Environments 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to teach educators how to use assessment and progress monitoring data to identify, implement, and modify academic interventions for students with disabilities. This course will focus on interventions in mathematics, literacy, science as well as problem solving and organization. Students will implement these interventions with a working knowledge of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards in core content areas. Students will learn how to match specific interventions to the instructional areas of need and how to document these interventions in student IEPs. Field experience is a requirement of the course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 542 [Min Grade: B] and EDEX 544 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 600 Family, School and Community Engagement in Special Education 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to provide an understanding of how to effectively implement the spirit of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, using a collaborative approach among families, educators, and service providers. Specifically, this course focuses on the structure and operation of efficacious collaborative teams, facilitating co-educator partnerships and integrating internal and external supports through positive family engagement.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 601 Special Education Advocacy 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore and master collaborative advocacy practices critical to the special education process.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 602 Special Education Dispute Resolution and Skills Training 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of special education dispute resolution opportunities and training in the communication skills necessary to successfully participate within each of those opportunities.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 701 Field Experience in Applied Behavior Analysis 3.0 Credits
This course allows students to discuss and apply technical knowledge, professional skills, and ethical guidelines to their experiences in the field of applied behavior analysis. The course requires a field experience placement of 30 hours per week under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in a behavioral health and/or educational or community-based setting. In addition, students will participate in bi-weekly collaborate meetings with the instructor. The focus of the collaborate meetings is behavior analysis in practice with an emphasis on practical and professional issues that arise in the workplace as well as a review and discussion of the course assignments.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 630 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 702 Field Experience in Applied Behavior Analysis II 3.0 Credits
This is the second course in a 2-course series designed to allow students to discuss and apply technical knowledge, professional skills, and ethical guidelines to their experiences in the field of applied behavior analysis. The course requires a field experience placement of 30 hours per week under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in a behavioral health and/or educational or community-based setting. In addition, students will participate in bi-weekly collaborate meetings with the instructor. The focus of the collaborate meetings is behavior analysis in practice with an emphasis on practical and professional issues that arise in the workplace as well as a review and discussion of the course assignments.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: EDEX 701 [Min Grade: B]
EDEX 710 School Law & Policy in Special Education 3.0 Credits
This course provides an overview of the legal rights of students and families in the field of special education. Students will explore the source, history, current status, and litigation affecting special education. This course relates equal protection and procedural due process to school practices and policies affecting students with disabilities.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 712 Instructional & Curriculum Leadership in Special Education 3.0 Credits
This course explores the administration of teaching/learning as a system in an inclusive school. Students learn leadership practices for universal screening, integrating assistive technology, research/evidence based-practices, and assessment systems responsive to and linguistic diversity. Special focus on leadership issues related to the urban, suburban, and rural context.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 714 Development, Supervision, & Support: Special Education Leadership 3.0 Credits
This course provides an overview of personnel functions: recruitment, selection, orientation, support, evaluation, and development; interpersonal skills; motivation/change theorie; and the utilization of technology in the process. In addition, it will look at the unique issues of co-leading personnel with other administrators, collective bargaining, and the grievance process.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 716 Organization & Administration of Special Education 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to provide an overview of the organizational practices for the administration of special education programs. Students will be introduced to special education revenue sources, compliance, child count, and budget monitoring as well as the special education plan.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 721 Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Special Education Leadership 1.0 Credit
The student will be required to log at least 75 hours of mentored leadership activities during each quarter to total at least 300 hours and compile activities in a portfolio. This is the first of a four-term internship. The focus is on legal and policy issues in special education leadership.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 722 Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Instructional Leadership 1.0 Credit
The student will be required to log at least 75 hours of mentored leadership activities during each quarter to total at least 300 hours and compile activities in a portfolio. This is the second of a four-term internship. The focus is on instructional leadership in special education leadership.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 723 Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Collaboration & Personnel 1.0 Credit
The student will be required to log at least 75 hours of mentored leadership activities during each quarter to toal at least 300 hours and compile activities in a portfolio. This is the third of a four-term internship. The focus is on collaboration and personnel issues: special education leadership.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX 724 Supervisor of Special Education Internship: Finance & Management 1.0 Credit
The student will be required to log at least 75 hours of mentored leadership activities during each quarter to total at least 300 hours and compile in a portfolio. This is the fourth of a four-term internship. The focus is on school resources in special education.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
EDEX I599 Independent Study in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX I699 Independent Study in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX I799 Independent Study in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX I899 Independent Study in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX I999 Independent Study in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX T580 Special topics in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX T680 Special topics in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX T780 Special topics in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX T880 Special topics in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
EDEX T980 Special topics in EDEX 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
