This area is designed for individuals desiring a comprehensive overview of special education. Incorporating practical, classroom-based experiences and assignments, coursework prepares educators with the knowledge and skills to educate students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, intellectual disabilities, and emotional behavior disorders. The West Virginia Department of Education offers an additional certification in Multi-Categorical Special Education to applicants holding an initial Professional Teaching Certificate in elementary education or secondary English, Math, Science, or Social Studies by passing the WV state licensure test.

Common Core Courses (12 Credit Hours) 

❏ EDUC 502 Professional Writing (3 hours)

❏ EDUC 507 Research Methods (3 hours) Prerequisite EDUC 502 

❏ EDUC 512 Assessment and Data Literacy (3 hours)

❏ EDUC 581 Capstone (3 hours) Prerequisites EDUC 502, EDUC 507, EDUC 512 

Area of Emphasis Multi-categorical (SLD, BD, ID) including Autism K-6, 5-Adult; Gifted 1-12 (24 Credit Hours)

❏ SPED 551 Policies, Procedures, and Current Issues in Special Education

❏ SPED 553 Introduction to the Student who is Gifted

❏ SPED 548 Advanced Assessment and Instruction for Students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders

❏ SPED 552 Advanced Assessment and Instruction for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

❏ SPED 555 Advanced Assessment and Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities

❏ SPED 501  Autism I: Characteristics of Autism

❏ SPED 502  Autism II: Autism Assessment and Interventions

❏ SPED 564 Practicum

 Total academic hours required for degree: 36

The West Virginia Department of Education offers an additional certification in Multi-Categorical Special Education (learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, intellectual disabilities, and emotional behavior disorders) to applicants holding a Professional Teaching Certificate in elementary education or secondary certification in English, math, science or social studies. For those qualified educators completion of the area of emphasis courses can be in preparation for the WV state licensure test.

Advisor:

Dr. Nicole Ennis
MAEd Program Director
Main Hall 308B
227 WLU Highlands Center
304-336-8486
nicole.ennis@westliberty.edu

Admissions

• Official transcripts of any bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a 3.0 GPA.
• Start the Program in January, March, May, June, August, or October