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.
Required courses in Education Common Core (12 hours):
- EDUC 502 Professional Writing (online every semester)
- EDUC 507 Research Methods (online every semester)
- EDUC 512 Assessment and Data Literacy (online every semester)
- EDUC 581 Capstone (16-week course during Fall or Spring only)
Required courses for this area of emphasis (18 hours):
- SPED 520 Collaborative Teaching (Fall I)
- SPED 551 Policies, Procedures, and Current Issues in Special Education (Fall II)
- SPED 548 Advanced Assessment and Instruction for Students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders (Spring II)
- SPED 552 Advanced Assessment and Instruction for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (Summer I)
- SPED 555 Advanced Assessment and Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities (Spring I)
- SPED 564 Practicum (Summer)
Total academic hours required for degree: 30
Additional requirements for traditional certification along with a robust undergraduate general studies curriculum (not required for M.A.Ed. degree or qualified educators who pass the WV state licensure test):
- SPED 561 Differentiated Math Methods & Materials
- READ 512 Advanced Literacy Assessment
- READ 562 Foundations of Structured Literacy
- READ 563 Multisensory Teaching Methods
- READ 575 Advanced Literacy Instruction
- SPED 564 Practicum
- SPED 580 Student Teaching
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. Leann Diandreth-Elkins
Associate Professor
227 WLU Highlands Center
304-217-2800 Ext 3
[email protected]
Admissions
- Official transcripts of any bachelor’s degree from a regionally accreditation college or university, with a 3.0 GPA.
- Start the Program in January, March, May, June, August, or October
