Special Education (SPE)                   Course Schedules

The complete description of Special Education is found in the Department of Counseling and Special Education in the College of Education & Human Services.

Distance Learning Courses: Courses in the department approved for offering in a distance learning format include: SPE 531

SPE 126 Introduction to Special Education 3(3-0) 
Education of students who deviate significantly from the norm intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, or educationally. Special activities or seminars which have a fee may be required.

SPE 322 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Special Needs 6(6-0)
Special Education instructional design and methodology. Includes critical teaching behaviors, strategy instruction, classroom organization and management, and technology. Grade of C+ or better required. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with grade of C or better.

SPE 323 Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs 3(3-0)
Intervention approaches to design positive classroom environments. Includes identification of behavioral/affective issues, social skills instruction, and proactive classroom management approaches. Grade of C+ or better required. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 with grade of C+ or better. SPE 323 may be taken as a corequisite with SPE 324.

SPE 324 Special Education Classroom-Based Assessment 6(2-8)
This course is designed to present information on the most current trends in classroom-based assessment, with emphasis placed on curriculum-based assessment methods. Grade of C+ or better required. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322 and 323 with a grade of C+ or better; PSY 310. SPE 323 may be taken as a corequisite with SPE 324.

SPE 419 Teaching the Student with Mild Cognitive Impairment 3(3-0)
Causes and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment as well as curriculum development and instructional methods. Grade of C+ or better required. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322, SPE 323, SPE 324 with grades of C+ or better; admission to Teacher Education; PSY 310.

SPE 455 Special Education Student Teaching Seminar 3(3-0)
This seminar provides review and discussion of a variety of topics related to the special education student teaching experience at the elementary through secondary level. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: student must have 75 percent of major/minor coursework completed, and show a GPA of 2.7 or better in major/minor coursework. Overall GPA of 2.5 or better. Must co-register for one of the following courses: SPE 456 or SPE 458.

SPE 456 Special Education Student Teaching: Emotional Impairment 6(Spec)
This course provides a full-time ten week field experience working with students with emotional impairment in a classroom appropriate to the special education endorsement. Prerequisites: Elementary Regular Education Students: completion of EDU 107, EDU 320, and EDU 330 with grades of C+ or better; completion of EDU 343, EDU 345, or EDU 361 with a grade of C+ or better; PSY 220. No grades less than a C+ in all EDU classes. Secondary Regular Education Students: completion of EDU 107, EDU 290, EDU 310, EDU 325 with grades of C+ or better; PSY 220. No grades less than a C+ in all EDU classes. Both: approval by major and minor departments indicating that 75 percent of coursework is completed with a GPA of 2.7 or better. Overall GPA of 2.7 or better. SPE 455 as a corequisite. Completion of SPE 578, SPE 579, and SPE 581 with grades of C+ or better.

SPE 458 Special Education Student Teaching: Cognitive Impairment 6(Spec)
This course provides a full-time ten-week field experience working with students with cognitive impairment in a classroom appropriate to the special education endorsement. Prerequisites: Elementary Regular Education Students: completion of EDU 107, EDU 320, and EDU 330 with grades of C+ or better; completion of EDU 343, EDU 345 or EDU 361 with a grade of C+ or better; PSY 220. No grades less than a C+ in all EDU classes. Secondary Regular Education Students: completion of EDU 107, EDU 290, EDU 310, EDU 325 with grades of C+ or better; PSY 220. No grades less than a C+ in all EDU classes. Both: approval by major and minor departments indicating that 75 percent of coursework is completed with a GPA of 2.7 or better. Overall GPA of 2.7 or better. SPE 455 as a corequisite. Completion of SPE 419, SPE 521, and SPE 522 with grades of C+ or better.

SPE 466 Independent Study 1-3(Spec) 
Individualized research or project dealing with a problem in special education. Prerequisite: permission of department chairperson.

SPE 470 Career Development and Transition 3(3-0)
Study of lifespan issues for persons with disabilities, stressing curriculum content and instructional strategies that promote interdisciplinary career development and transition education at all age levels. Prerequisites: SPE 126, with a grade of C or better; junior status.

SPE 500 Parent and Professional Relationships in Special Education 3(3-0)
Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with parents and professionals. Study of effects of an exceptional child on the family and methods for meeting their needs. Prerequisites: admission to Teacher Education or senior status.

SPE 504 Teaching Students in Inclusive Settings 3(3-0)
Theory and practice of the instruction of students who have disabilities in general education settings. Prerequisites: senior or graduate status.

SPE 510 Microcomputers in Classroom Instruction 3(2-3)
Students will study and practice the integration of microcomputer technology in classroom instruction and management, with emphasis upon software evaluation and lesson development. Identical with EDU 590. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: EDU 310, EDU 320, EDU 330 or equivalent with instructor permission.

SPE 521 Teaching the Student with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment 3(3-0) D
Causes and characteristics of students with moderate to severe cognitive impairment.  Curriculum development and instructional methods included. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322, SPE 323, SPE 324 with grades of C+ or better; admission to Teacher Education; PSY 310.

SPE 522 Field Experience-Cognitive Impairment 3-6(Spec)
University-supervised practice and application of knowledge and strategies for teaching students with cognitive impairment. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322, SPE 323, SPE 324, SPE 419 and SPE 521 with grades of C+ or better; admission to Teacher Education; PSY 310.

SPE 529 The Gifted Child 3(3-0)D
Characteristics of children with superior abilities. Reviews special curricula and teaching procedures for improving the learning and adjustment of these children.

SPE 530 Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics and Etiology 3(3-0)
This course will review the behavioral and educational characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorders. Known causes of this disorder will also be examined. Identical to PSY 575.  Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  Prerequisites: senior or graduate status.

SPE 531 Autism Spectrum Disorder: Education Implications 3(3-0)
Presentation of special techniques and materials used in best practice instruction of students with autism spectrum disorders. Prerequisites: SPE 530, and senior or graduate status.

SPE 536 Field Experience: Autism 3(Spec)
Practice and application of knowledge and strategies for teaching students with autism under faculty supervision. Prerequisites: SPE 530, SPE 531, PSY 586, PSY 682, CDO 550, and graduate status. Application to register for this course must be filed during the semester prior to registration for approval.

SPE 545 Special Education Workshop 1-6(Spec) 
Study of trends, alternative approaches, and innovative curricula in programming for the exceptional student. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

SPE 550 Teaching Culturally Diverse Students 3(3-0) 
Survey of sociocultural influences on the performance of students from culturally different backgrounds, and educational provisions made for them in public schools. Included are Hispanic, Black and Asian American; Native American; rural and urban disadvantaged; and recent immigrants.

SPE 577 Introduction to Specific Learning Disability 3(3-0) 
Systematic introduction to the identification, diagnosis and remediation of specific learning disabilities. Prerequisite: approved major in psychology or special education, or graduate status.

SPE 578 Students with Emotional Impairment 3(3-0)
Diagnostic procedures, therapy, and research concerning children and youth with emotional impairment. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322, SPE 323, SPE 324 with grades of C+ or better; admission to Teacher Education; PSY 310. Graduate students may be admitted with permission of instructor.

SPE 579 Teaching Students with Emotional Impairment 3(3-0)
Special techniques and materials used in instruction of students who have emotional and behavioral disorders. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322, SPE 323, SPE 324 with grades of C+ or better; admission to Teacher Education; PSY 310. Graduate students may be admitted with permission of instructor.

SPE 581 Field Experience-Emotional Impairment 3-6(Spec)
University-supervised practice and application of knowledge and strategies for teaching students with emotional impairment. Grade of C+ or better required to count toward degree. Prerequisites: SPE 126 with a grade of C or better; SPE 322, SPE 323, SPE 324, SPE 578, and SPE 579 with grades of C+ or better; admission to Teacher Education; PSY 310.

For 600 and 700 level course descriptions consult the current Graduate Bulletin.

SPE 600 Current Issues in Special Education 3(3-0) 

SPE 619 Continuing Registration for Final Research Project 1(1-0)

SPE 640 Administration of Special Education 3(3-0) 

SPE 645 Special Education Workshop 1-6(Spec) 

SPE 665 Independent Study 1-3(Spec) 

SPE 666 Independent Study 1-3(Spec) 

SPE 675 Teaching the Student with Learning Disabilities 3(3-0)

SPE 678 Education of Students with Severe Emotional Impairment 3(3-0) 

SPE 679 Behavioral and Curricular Interventions for Individuals with Mild Disabilities 3(3-0) 

SPE 685 Innovative Cognitive Techniques in Special Education 3(3-0) 

SPE 689 Practicum in Learning Disabilities 3-6(Spec)

SPE 695 Research for Counseling and Special Education 3(3-0)

SPE 720 Seminar: Teaching Students with Severe Cognitive Impairment 3(3-0) 

SPE 741 Seminar: Administration of Special Education 2(2-0) 

SPE 750 Consultant Skills for Special Educators and Counselors 3(3-0) 

SPE 775 Seminar: Learning Disabilities 3(3-0) 

SPE 785 Seminar in Special Education 3(3-0) 

SPE 790 Seminar: Investigations and Solutions in Special Education 3(3-0)

SPE 798 Thesis 1-6(Spec) 

Credit Limitation: Courses in Special Education that are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit are SPE 545, 645, 665, 666.

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