Special Education Teacher (48 Credits)
This major leads to initial licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8). This program focuses on the development of students' potential in an inclusive learning community. Prospective teachers in this major develop expertise in assessment, curriculum design, and instructional techniques that provide access to the learning environment. There is an emphasis on the development of skills that lead to the successful collaboration between special and general education.
The senior practicum will be a full semester experience at one level within a PreK–8 setting serving students with special needs.
Students in the Special Education major must choose a liberal arts major to complement their professional study. Students may choose from twelve liberal arts fields:
- Biology
- Children, Youth and Family Studies
- Creative Writing
- English
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Global Studies: Politics, Culture, and Society
- History
- Mathematics or Mathematical Studies
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Spanish
Degree Requirements
I. Required Courses:
| CEDUC 1352 | Teaching, Learning and Social Responsibility | 4 |
| CEDUC 2401 | Literacy Learning | 3 |
| CEDUC 3374 | Teaching Mathematics for the Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| CEDUC 3379 | Teaching Geometry, Measurement, and Data | 3 |
| CEDUC 3410 | Teaching Social Studies and Science from a Problem-Centered Approach | 3 |
| CSPED 2354 | Special Education | 4 |
| CSPED 3300 | Developing Accessible Instruction for Struggling Readers and Writers | 3 |
| CSPED 3320 | Assessment that Develops Potential: Diversity in Cognition and Learning | 3 |
| CEDUC 4188 | Sheltered English Instruction: Pre-K - 6 | 4 |
| CSPED 4420 | Curriculum Adaptation and Technology | 3 |
| CSPED 4724 | Senior Practicum and Seminar in Special Education | 9 |
II. Liberal Arts Support Courses:
Courses Required for Special Education Majors to Meet General Education Distributions.
- Arts and Humanities: 3 Credits in American History
- Math/Science (Mathematics): It is recommended that students choose one of the following courses: CMATH 1501 Problem Solving, CMATH 5100 Functions & Algebra, CMATH 6101 Number Theory, CMATH 6107 Number & Operations. Students planning to major in Mathematics may choose any mathematics course for which they have met the prerequisites.
- Social Sciences: 3 credits in Geography
- Liberal Arts Electives: One prefix must be CMATH. This requirement may be waived based on the student's performance on the Lesley University Mathematics MTEL screening.