Special Education, B.S.ED.

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This degree program is designed to provide prospective teachers with essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work effectively with students who are mentally, physically and/or emotionally challenged in K-12 inclusive, resource and self-contained settings. Students completing this major will qualify for certification in K-12 special education.

Learning Outcomes

Plan of Study - Special Education (BSE) 23-24

APPLY

System-Wide General Education Requirement (30 credits)

Majors must take MATH 114 or a course requiring MATH 114 as a prerequisite, INED 211 , and HIST 151 as part of the System-Wide General Education requirement.

No grade less than a “C” in MATH 114 , ENGL 101 , CMST 101 , HIST 151 , and INED 211 .

Note: Students must complete 30 hours of system-wide general education courses in their first 64 credit hours.

¹ No grade less than a “C” - must be completed prior to admission to Teacher Education.

²Requires field experience.

Professional Education Courses (84 credits)

All professional education courses require a grade of “C” or better.

CSC 105 - Introduction to Computers 3 credits
Choose one course from the following: (3 credits)
CIS 123 - Problem Solving and Programming 3 credits
CIS 130 - Visual Basic Programming 3 credits
CSC 150 - Computer Science I 3 credits
EDFN 295 - Practicum: Pre-Admission 1 credit
EDFN 300 - Survey of Middle Level Education 1 credit
EDFN 338 - Foundations of American Education 2 credits ¹
EDFN 365 - Computer-Based Technology & Learning 2-3 credits (3 credits required)
EPSY 210 - Lifespan Development 3 credits
EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology 2-3 credits (3 credits required) ¹
MATH 341 - Math Concepts for Teachers I 3 credits
MATH 342 - Math Concepts for Teachers II 3 credits
SPED 100 - Introduction to Persons with Exceptionalities 3 credits ¹
Admission to Teacher Education Program required for the remaining courses.
EDFN 440 - Classroom Management 1-3 credits (2 credits required)
EDFN 475 - Human Relations 3 credits
ELED 330 - K-8 Math Methods 2-3 credits (3 credits required) ²
ELED 360 - K-8 Social Science Methods 2-3 credits (2 credits required) ²
ELED 440 - K-8 Language Arts Methods 2-3 credits (2 credits required)
ELED 455 - Evidence-Based Reading (K-3) 3 credits
ELED 456 - Evidence-Based Reading (4-8) 3 credits
ELED 459 - Introduction to Literacy Assessment and Remediation 1-3 credits (3 credits required) ²
ELED 462 - Teaching English: New Language 2 credits
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy 1-3 credits (3 credits required)
SPED 410 - Behavior Management of Exceptional Children 3 credits
SPED 413 - Serving Students with Severe Disabilities 3 credits ²
SPED 417 - Vocational-Transitional Programming 2-3 credits (2 credits required)
SPED 420 - K-12 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies 2-3 credits (3 credits required)
SPED 431 - Identification and Assessment in Special Education 2-3 credits (3 credits required) ²
SPED 442 - Serving Students with Learning Disabilities 2 credits ²
SPED 443 - Serving Students with Learning Disabilities Practicum 1 credit
SPED 460 - Family Systems and Professional Collaboration 2-3 credits (2 credits required)
SPED 465 - Computer Applications Special Education 3 credits ²
SPED 488 - Student Teaching in Special Education 1-16 credits (8 credits required)

Electives (6 credits)

Yearlong Residency / Student Teaching

Teacher candidates complete a yearlong residency / student teaching capstone experience during the final two semesters prior to graduation. Placements are made in districts with which the College of Education has a formal partnership and whose personnel are trained in the co-teaching model. Out-of-area placements are not granted for the yearlong residency / student teaching experience.

Teaching Certification and Licensure

Dakota State University (DSU) Educator Preparation Programs are approved by the South Dakota State Board of Education and are nationally accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Dakota State University is a regionally accredited post-secondary institution. All students completing Teacher Certification programs through Dakota State University will be recommended for an initial South Dakota Teaching License regardless of the state in which they reside while completing the coursework. Therefore, out-of-state applicants will want to verify the licensure and certification requirements for their state of interest.

Students who successfully complete Educator Preparation Programs at Dakota State University are eligible to receive a recommendation for the applicable teaching certification in the State of South Dakota. All education graduates are encouraged to apply for South Dakota certification immediately upon completion of their degree.

Teacher education graduates may also be eligible for Dakota State University recommendation for certification in other states. Teaching certification/licensure requirements vary among states. Dakota State University cannot confirm the graduate will be immediately certified outside of South Dakota and is researching certification/licensure outside of South Dakota. If you are seeking certification or licensure, you will want to contact the appropriate governing body in your state. The U.S. Department of Education hyperlink will help you learn more about certification in your state: http://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html. Please contact the College of Education Office regarding licensure certification outside of South Dakota at 605-256-5177.

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