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Education – Special Education

SPED 5310 (3-3-0) Introduction to Exceptional Learners

(SPED 4310; EDUC 5310)

Learning styles and effective teaching strategies for exceptional learners using the application of research on identification, assessment, teaching, and technology of the full range of exceptional learners including disabled and gifted-and-talented learners. This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer, Online.

SPED 5315 (3-3-0) Introduction to Exceptional Learners and Montessori Foundations

This course focuses on the Medical-Scientific Montessori philosophy and methods used in inclusion classrooms. Knowledge of the Montessori methodology and how it is applied to children with various disabilities, as well as the typically developing children, and gifted children is presented.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Summer, Periodically.

SPED 5320 (3-3-0) Teaching the Underachiever

(SPED 4320; EDUC 5320)

The course addresses the most current research and activities that work effectively with the at risk student, as well as provide participants with successful techniques to diagnose, prescribe, and communicate concerns and needs to parents. This 5000- level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Periodically, Online. 

SPED 5330 (3-3-0) Pedagogy of Special Education

(SPED 4330; EDUC 5330)

This course examines the identification, assessment, and instruction of students with special needs. Emphasis will be placed on the presentation of special education roles, placement alternatives, legal implications, current status and trends in special education. An analysis of the categories of exceptionality, characteristics, and terminology will also be presented. This 5000- level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.

Requisites: EDUC/SPED 5310 Introduction to Exceptional Learners.

Offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer, Online.

SPED 5332 (3-3-0) Diagnosing and Correcting Reading Difficulties with Clinical Experience

(READ 4332/5332, SPED 4332)

An intensive study of specific techniques for diagnosing problem areas in reading and of remediation techniques for supplementing classroom activities. This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall, Spring.

SPED 5333 (3-3-0) Clinical Experiences in Correcting Reading Difficulties (S-L)

(SPED 4333; READ 5333)

Directed experience in diagnosing and correcting reading problems of the individual child through field experience. This course contains a field-based service-learning component. This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and  includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall, Spring.

SPED 5350 (3-3-0) Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities

This course addresses current research and practices that work effectively with students who have behavioral challenges. Emphasis will be placed upon providing an environment that sets the tone for positive non-confrontational interactions between teacher and students, and students to students. Proactive planning, clear boundaries, and student choice will lay the groundwork for student success. This 5000-level course is cross-listed with a 4000-level course and includes specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.

Requisites: Meet DBU Graduate School admissions requirements.

Offered:  Fall, Spring, Online. 

SPED 6010 (0-12-0) Defense of Degree

Because of Dallas Baptist University’s quest for meaningful assessment of graduate candidates, a defense of degree is required in all College of Education Graduate Programs. The defense of degree is a capstone collection of signature assessments and artifacts with reflections that demonstrate a candidate’s personal growth, development, and acquisition of knowledge, skills, and dispositions.

Degree-seeking students in the College of Education will be expected to present their Defense of Degree to the Educator Preparation Board for assessment as evidence of program success during their final semester. Candidates are to follow the Defense of Degree guidelines provided by the College of Education.

Requisites: Student is in last semester of MED in Special Education Program.

Offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

SPED 6320 (3-3-0) Current Trends in Special Education

This course will provide students a study of the contemporary and controversial issues within the field of special education. The course will contrast historical perspectives with current best practices, legal issues, and current controversies in the identification, assessment, and instruction of students in special education.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Periodically, Online. 

SPED 6330 (3-3-0) Comprehensive Assessments

This course will cover the core competencies in the area of special education assessment. The course will focus on the theory, problems, ethical standards, and techniques of administering individual tests of intelligence. Students will develop proficiencies in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of assessment tools to write reports and link assessment results to evidence- based recommendation, interventions and learning strategies for the purposes of developing individual education programs. This course also reviews determination of learning disabilities.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Periodically. 

SPED 6340 (3-3-0) Individual Diagnostic Practicum I (S-L)

This course will focus on opportunities for learners to use the principles of assessment, evaluation, and report writing with students who are either in special programs or suspected of needing special programs. In the diagnostician’s practicum, emphasis is placed on participation in the full individual evaluation process for assessing, evaluating, eligibility criteria, developing recommendations/interventions, and writing reports. This course contains a field-based service-learning component.

Requisites: SPED 5330 and SPED 6330.

Offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

SPED 6350 (3-3-0) Individual Diagnostic Assessment Practicum II (S-L)

This course will focus on opportunities for candidates to prepare for certification as educational diagnosticians. Candidates will be required to demonstrate competencies in the professional duties as an educational diagnostician. This course is designed  to provide practical, real world challenges using the skills and knowledge students have developed through their graduate program. In the Individual Diagnostic Assessment Practicum II, continued emphasis is placed on participation in the full individual evaluation process for assessing, evaluating, determining eligibility, developing recommendations/interventions, and writing reports. Additional emphasis will be provided on the Educational Diagnostician Standards which include Children with Disabilities, Curriculum and Instruction of Students with Disabilities, and the Legal and Ethical standards for Educational Diagnosticians. This course contains a field-based service-learning component.

Requisites: SPED 5310, 5330, 6330, and 6340.

Offered:  Fall, Spring, Online.

SPED 6360 (3-3-0) Supervision of Special Education Instruction

This course provides a study of philosophical foundations, principles, and practices of effective special education supervision in public schools. Attention is given to the supervisory methods used to improve specialized instruction at all grade levels.

Requisites: Permission required of MED Special Education Director.

Offered:  Periodically. 

SPED 6370 (3-3-0) ARD Facilitator Practicum (S-L)

This course focuses on opportunities for learners to use the knowledge, understanding, and skills in the field of special education with emphasis on Admission Review and Dismissal facilitation. This course provides the framework for effective communication with educators, professionals, and families to develop effective plans for students in Special Education. Graduate students learn about the Special Education process, the various types of ARDs, and the purpose for each. They learn about developing effective individual education plans including goals, objects, determining process, accommodations and modification. The graduate students gain in-depth understanding of the Least Restrictive Environment and educational placements for students with disabilities. The students in the course utilize the state and federal requirements for ARD meetings, IEPS, and educational placements. This course contains a field-based service-learning component.

Requisites: Taken in last semester of MED with ARD Facilitator Specialization.

Offered:  Fall, Spring.