Special Education B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Special Education program prepares candidates with the knowledge base, skills, and competencies necessary to meet the needs of students with disabilities in multiple settings. Graduates are prepared to teach students with disabilities in grades PreK-12.

Throughout the program, teacher candidates will develop personal and professional competencies by participating in both theoretical and applied experiences. All teacher candidates complete a set of core experiences in professional education, including participation in guided fieldwork. 

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

4-Year Course Plan

Freshman Year, Fall

• CSEN1020 Argument & Research 
• PSYC1010 General Psychology
• MATH1050 Reasoning & Apps.
• SOCI1010 Principles of Sociology OR SOCI1020 Cont. Social Problems
• EDUC2000 Schools & Society
• Freshman Seminar (1 credit)
• Obtain three required clearances

Freshman Year, Spring

• CSCM1030 Public Speaking & Persuasion
• SCIE1020 Fundamentals of Science  OR ENVS1160 Environmental Science
• MATH2010 Fundamental Concepts of Math
• HUMA1010 Humanities: Art/Music
• EDUC2100* Ed Psych /Classroom Management
• HIST1100 U.S. History I OR HIST1200 U.S. History II
• Take PAPA or CORE Exam if needed

Sophomore Year, Fall

• CSEN1010 Rdg. & Writing Strategies OR CSCM2050 Intercultural Comm.
• SPED3100 Disability Studies
• PSYC3535 Child Development 
• EDUC2200 Technology for Teachers
• ELIT1070 Children’s Literature OR  ELIT1040 Reading Literature: Coming of Age 
• Apply for Candidacy Status

Sophomore Year, Spring

• CSCM2040 Prof. Communication in the Workplace
• PSYC3530 Adolescent Psychology/Development
• ECON1010 Survey of Economics
• SPED3010* Intro. to Special Ed. PreK to 12 
• SPED3110 Early Intervention

Junior Year, Fall

• CANDIDACY STATUS REQUIRED TO PROCEED
• ECED2130 Numeracy
• EDUC3400* Curriculum Design/Instruction
• SPED3020* Teaching in Inclusive Class: PreK–12
• SPED3050* Students w/High-Incidence Dis.
• SPED4000 IEPs and the Law
• SPED4020 Reading and Special Education

Junior Year, Spring

• SPED4030 Advanced Content Area Instructional Interventions
• EDUC3600 Educational Assessment
• SPED3030* Pos Behavior Supports PreK–12
• SPED3070* Lang., Comm. & Asst. Tech
• SPED3045* Transitioning
• SPED0101 PECT PREP (0 credits)
• Take SPED Praxis Exams 
• Apply for Pre-Student Teaching

Senior Year, Fall

• EDUC3165* Teaching Eng. Lang. Learners
• ECED2140* Reading Difficulties & Diagnosis
• RDSP6010 Structured Literacy
• SPED3055* Autism Spectrum Disorders
• SPED3060* Students w/Low-Incidence Dis.
• SPED4060 Pre-Student Teaching Spec Ed (0 credits)
• Retake SPED0101 PECT PREP (0 credits) if needed
• Re-take SPED Praxis if not passed 
• Apply for Student Teaching

Senior, Spring

• SPED4200 Student Teaching in Spec Ed (9 credits)
• SPED4210 Student Teaching Seminar (3 credits)
• Apply for Graduation & PA Certification

* = ECED/EDUC/SPED co-requisite required for this course  

4-Year Course Plan: w/ PK-4 Major

Freshman Year, Fall

• CSEN1020 Argument & Research 
• PSYC1010 General Psychology
• MATH1050 Reasoning & Apps.
• SOCI1010 Principles of Sociology OR SOCI 1020 Cont. Social Problems
• EDUC2000 Schools & Society OR
• ECED2100 Intro to Early Childhood Education
• Freshman Seminar (1 credit)
• Obtain three required clearances

Freshman Year, Spring

• CSCM1030 Public Speaking & Persuasion
• SCIE1020 Fundamentals of Science  OR ENVS1160 Environmental Science
• MATH2010 Fundamental Concepts of Math
• HUMA1010 Humanities: Art/Music
• EDUC2100* Ed Psych /Classroom Management
• HIST1100 U.S. History I OR HIST1200 U.S. History II
• Take PAPA or CORE Exam if needed

Sophomore Year, Fall

• CSEN1010 Rdg. & Writing Strategies OR CSCM2050 Intercultural Comm.
• SPED3100 Disability Studies
• PSYC3535 Child Development 
• EDUC2200 Technology for Teachers
• ELIT1070 Children’s Literature 
• ECED3100 Integrating Arts for the Developing Child
• Apply for Candidacy Status

Sophomore Year, Spring

• CSCM2040 Prof. Communication in the Workplace
• ECON1010 Survey of Economics
• SPED3010* Intro. to Special Ed. PreK to 12 
• SPED3110* Early Intervention OR ECED3060* Family/Community Relationships
• POLS1020 American National Government
• SPED 3030* Pos Behavior Supports PreK–12

Junior Year, Fall

• CANDIDACY STATUS REQUIRED TO PROCEED
• ECED2130 Numeracy
• EDUC3400* Curriculum Design/Instruction
• SPED3020* Teaching in Inclusive Class: PreK–12
• SPED3050* Students w/High-Incidence Dis.
• SPED4000 IEPs and the Law
• SPED4020 Reading and Special Education

Junior Year, Spring

• SPED4030 Advanced Content Area Instructional Interventions
• EDUC3600 Educational Assessment
• SPED3070* Lang., Comm. & Asst. Tech
• SPED3045* Transitioning
• ECED4030* Reading/Language Arts Methods
• ECED4020* Science Methods
• SPED0101 PECT PREP (0 credits)
• Take SPED Praxis Exams 
• Apply for Pre-Student Teaching

Senior Year, Fall

• EDUC3165* Teaching Eng. Lang. Learners
• ECED2140* Reading Difficulties & Diagnosis
• RDSP6010 Structured Literacy
• SPED3055* Autism Spectrum Disorders
• SPED3060* Students w/Low-Incidence Dis.
• ECED4000 Social Studies Methods
• ECED4060 Pre-Student Teaching (0 credits)
• Retake SPED0101 PECT PREP (0 credits) if needed
• Re-take SPED Praxis if not passed 
• Apply for Student Teaching

Senior, Spring

• ECED4200 EC Student Teaching AND ECED4205 Special Ed Student Teaching (9 credits)
• ECED4210 Student Teaching Seminar (3 credits)
• Apply for Graduation & PA Certification

* = ECED/EDUC/SPED co-requisite required for this course