Special Education Major, B.S. (Comprehensive Special Education Concentration)

Department Information

Department of Educational Foundations & Special Education

P.O. Box 70548
Phone: (423) 439-7673
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/coe/efse/

Arnold Nyarambi, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

310 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
Phone: (423) 439-7607
nyarambi@etsu.edu

Cathy Galyon-Keramidas, Ed.D., Chair

423 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70548
Phone: (423) 439-7673
galyonkerami@etsu.edu

The Bachelor of Science degree in special education (SPED) leads to initial teaching license in special education. Concentrations are offered in modified (high-incidence disabilities) and comprehensive (low-incidence disabilities) special education. The modified and comprehensive special education concentrations prepare teacher candidates to serve public school students in grades K-12 with varying disabilities across the continuum of educational environments.

In addition to initial licensure at the baccalaureate level, post-baccalaureate programs are provided for adding a special education endorsement to existing education licenses. Licensure areas in modified, comprehensive, and Early Childhood special education are available at this level.

Special education licensure programs in Tennessee are non-categorical covering intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, orthopedic impairments and emotional disturbance. Students planning to teach in those states requiring categorical certification should meet with their advisor(s) to plan their programs according to the certification/licensure requirements of those states.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: SPED-BS (SECM)  

General Education Requirements  

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Major Specific courses listed in General Education Requirements:

• HDAL 2310  
• MATH 1530  

Total Requirements for Special Education Major: 79 credits

Professional Education Requirement: 27 credits

• EDFN 2100 - Orientation to the Profession of Education (1 credit)
• EDFN 2300 - Foundations for Teaching (2 credits)
• EDFN 3301 - Issues in Education (3 credits)
• EDFN 3310 - Educational Psychology (3 credits)
• READ 3050 - Foundations of Literacy (3 credits)
• SPED 2300 - Exceptional Learners in Schools and Communities (3 credits)
• SPED 4850 - Residency II and Seminar in Special Education (6 credits) (Take 2 times for a total of 12 credits)

Additional Program Requirement: 9 credits

• ENGL 3150 - Literature, Ethics, and Values (3 credits)

• or

• ENGL 3280 - Mythology (3 credits)

•  

• MATH 1410 - Number Concepts and Algebraic Structure (3 credits)
• MATH 1420 - Logic, Problem Solving and Geometry (3 credits)

Special Education Major Core Requirement: 28 credits

• SPED 3300 - Instructional Planning for Students with Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credits)
• SPED 3400 - Classroom Environment and Behavior Management (3 credits)
• SPED 3445 - Medical Aspects and Applications of Assistive Technology (3 credits)
• SPED 4302 - Family and Professional Partnerships (3 credits)
• SPED 4425 - Pre-Residency: The First 6-weeks of School (1 credit)
• SPED 4470 - Assessment of Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credits)
• SPED 4710 - Residency I in Special Education (5 credits)
• SPED 4753 - Programming for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs (3 credits)
• SPED 4825 - Preclinical Experience in Special Education (1 credit) (Take 2 times for a total of 2 credits)
• MEDA 3570 - Educational Technology (2 credits)

Comprehensive Special Education Concentration: 15 credits

• CUAI 4517 - Math Methods for Early Childhood (3 credits)
• SPED 4367 - Systematic Instruction for Functional and Academic Programming (3 credits)
• SPED 4587 - Access to the General Curriculum for Students with Significant Disabilities (3 credits)
• SPED 4750 - Instructional and Transitional Services for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
• SPED 4767 - Advanced Strategies for Behavioral Interventions (3 credits)

No Minor Required

Additional Information

Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.