Special Education PK-12

Candidates can now earn a stand-alone special education certification. This can be achieved through a post-bacc special education certification program or within a Master of Science in Instructional Leadership. The graduate special education program provides learning opportunities for classroom teachers to better manage resources for students with disabilities in grades PK-12.

Graduate candidates enrolled in the program receive one-on-one advising, attend small classes, collaborate with practitioners and administrators in local school districts, and develop close relationships with faculty who have diverse experiences in K-12 schools. Degree candidates are engaged in innovative programs, partnerships within the school communities, and student organizations and volunteer opportunities. 

The initial teacher preparation and advanced educator programs in the School of Nursing, Education, and Human Studies have been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Contact Information

Susan W. Parker, Ph.D.
Department Head, Education
parkers@rmu.edu
412-397-6245

Course Plan: MSIL w/ Teacher Certification in PK-12 Special Education

Professional Knowledge (27 cr.) 

• EDUC6010 Theories Learning/Class Mgmt. OR EDUC2100 Educational Psychology
• EDUC6400 Content Area Reading/ELL OR EDUC3165 Teaching English Language Learners
• EDUC6060 Curriculum Design/Assessment 
• EDUC6110 Integrating Instructional Technology 
• EDUC6000 Critical Issues Affecting American Educ OR EDUC2000 Schools and Society
• EDUC6400 Reading Across Curr/ELL OR EDUC3165 Teaching English Language Learners
• SPED6080 Special Learning Needs OR SPED3010 Introduction to Special Education
• SPED6085 Principles of Inclusion OR SPED3020 Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms
• SPED6040 High Incidence Disabilities OR SPED3050 High Incidence Disabilities

Master of Science Courses (12 cr.)

• EDUC6065 Educational Statistics
• One from Instructional Leadership (EDUC6120, EDUC6090, or EDUC6125)
• EDUC6130 Educational Research Seminar
• EDUC6140 Instructional Leadership Capstone

Major Content Knowledge  (57cr.) 

• CSEN1010 Reading & Writing Strategies
• CSEN1020 Argument & Research
• MATH1050 Math Reasoning with Applications
• MATH2010 Fundamentals of Math
• PSYC3535 Child Development
• PSYC3530 Adolescent Psychology/Development
• SPED3100 Disability Studies
• ECED2140 Reading Difficulties & Diagnosis OR RDSP6720 Assessment/Intervention Early Literacy OR RDSP6730 Assess/Intervention Adolescent Literacy
• ECED2130 Numeracy
• SPED3030 Positive Behavior Supports PK-12 OR SPED6060 Advanced Studies in Behavior
• SPED3045/SPED6045 Transitions
• SPED3055/SPED6055 Introduction to Autism
• SPED3060 Teaching Students with LI Disabilities  OR SPED6050 Low Incidence Disabilities: IM&P
• SPED3070 Language, Communication, & AT OR SPED6070 Communication & Special Education: IM&P
• SPED4000 IEPs and the Law OR SPED6090 Assess & Evaluation of Individual Instruct
• SPED4030 Advanced Content Area Instruct Interv  OR SPED6035 Adv Content Area Interv
• SPED4020 Reading & Special Education OR SPED6020 Reading & Special Education
• SPED3110 Early Intervention
• RDSP6010 Structured Literacy

Professional Semester (12 Credits) – Must Take at RMU

• SPED6500 Student Teaching Seminar (3 cr.)
• SPED6061 Pre-Student Teaching Special Ed (3 cr.)
• SPED6200 Student Teaching Special Education (6 cr.)

Course Plan: Post-Bacc Teacher Certification in PK-12 Special Education

Professional Knowledge (27 cr.) 

• EDUC6010 Theories Learning/Class Mgmt. OR EDUC2100 Educational Psychology
• EDUC6400 Content Area Reading/ELL OR EDUC3165 Teaching English Language Learners
• EDUC6060 Curriculum Design/Assessment 
• EDUC6110 Integrating Instructional Technology OR EDUC2200 Technology for Teachers
• EDUC6000 Critical Issues Affecting American Educ OR EDUC2000 Schools and Society
• EDUC6400 Reading Across Curr/ELL OR EDUC3165 Teaching English Language Learners
• SPED6080 Special Learning Needs OR SPED3010 Introduction to Special Education
• SPED6085 Principles of Inclusion OR SPED3020 Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms
• SPED6040 High Incidence Disabilities OR SPED3050 High Incidence Disabilities

Major Content Knowledge  (57cr.) 

• CSEN1010 Reading & Writing Strategies
• CSEN1020 Argument & Research
• MATH1050 Math Reasoning with Applications
• MATH2010 Fundamentals of Math
• PSYC3535 Child Development
• PSYC3530 Adolescent Psychology/Development
• SPED3100 Disability Studies
• ECED2140 Reading Difficulties & Diagnosis OR RDSP6720 Assessment/Intervention Early Literacy OR RDSP6730 Assess/Intervention Adolescent Literacy
• ECED2130 Numeracy
• SPED3030 Positive Behavior Supports PK-12 OR SPED6060 Advanced Studies in Behavior
• SPED3045/SPED6045 Transitions
• SPED3055/SPED6055 Introduction to Autism
• SPED3060 Teaching Students with LI Disabilities OR SPED6050 Low Incidence Disabilities: IM&P
• SPED3070 Language, Communication, & AT OR SPED6070 Communication & Special Education: IM&P
• SPED4000 IEPs and the Law OR SPED6090 Assess & Evaluation of Individual Instruct
• SPED4030 Advanced Content Area Instruct Interv  OR SPED6035 Adv Content Area Interv
• SPED4020 Reading & Special Education OR SPED6020 Reading & Special Education
• SPED3110 Early Intervention
• RDSP6010 Structured Literacy

Professional Semester (12 Credits) – Must Take at RMU

• SPED6500 Student Teaching Seminar (3 cr.)
• SPED6061 Pre-Student Teaching Special Ed (3 cr.)
• SPED6200 Student Teaching Special Education (6 cr.)