Special Education
College of Education
Department of Special Education
313 Armstrong Hall
507-389-1122
The Department of Special Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato offers graduate programs in the areas of Learning Disabilities (LD) and Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) that are designed to prepare professionals to work with students with disabilities in school settings. These two programs lead to special education licensure and a Masters Degree in Special Education.
All our courses are held at both our Edina site at 7700 France Ave or on campus. Many courses are hybrid online/in-person classes.
LICENSURE OR GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Graduate certificate programs leading to licensure in either LD or EBD are offered for participants who hold a current or previous teaching license and wish to add a special education license to their credential.
Admission Requirements
- Overall career GPA of 3.0
- Bachelors Degree from an accredited university or college
- Completed Graduate Studies Application
- Official College Transcripts
- International applicants have additional requirements, including a paper based TOEFL score of 550 or above, or an IBT score of at least 79.
Post-Baccalaureate Initial Teacher Licensure Program
The Post-Baccalaureate initial teacher licensure program is designed for students with a BS or BA degree outside of education. These students must apply to the Minnesota State University, Mankato College of Education Professional Education Program during their first semester in the program by submitting the following:
- Application to Professional Education
- Unofficial copies of College Transcripts
- Praxis I test scores
- Writing Assessment (completed within initial licensure courses)
Required Courses for Special Education E/BD & LD: Graduate Certificate (Licensure)
Prerequisites Course for Special Education (7 credits)
- SPED 548 - Behavior Management (4)
- SPED 605 - Intro to Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children and Youth (3)
Special Education Core Courses Required for EB/D & LD Certificate/Licensure (17 credits)
- SPED 619 - Education of Students with Mild Disabilities (4)
- SPED 639 - Transition Planning for St w/ Mild Disabilities (3)
- SPED 645 - Formal and Informal Clinical Procedures (3)
- SPED 646 - Instructional Interventions* (4)
- SPED 661 - Special Education Law* (3)
* No courses substitutions will be allowed for SPED 646 and 661.
Courses Required for E/BD Certificate/Licensure (10 credits)
- SPED 657 - Behavior Disorders Diagnosis and Remediation (4)
- SPED 658 - Seminar: Current Issues and Trends EBD (3)
- SPED 667 - Graduate Student Teaching: EBD (3)
Courses Required for LD Certificate/Licensure (6 credits)
- SPED 649 - Seminar: Current Issues and Trends LD
- SPED 648 - Graduate Student Teaching: LD
Courses Required for Post- Baccalaureate Initial Teacher Licensure (16 credits)
- SPED 509 - Learning and Human Development for Diverse Learners (4)
- SPED 514 - Literacy Methods in an Inclusive Classroom (4)
- SPED 511 - Strategies for an Inclusive Classroom (4)
- SPED 513 - Advanced Pedagogy and Learning Theories (4)
Student Teaching
A separate full time, 16 week student teaching experience is required for each licensure area and for all students regardless of prior teaching experience or current employment status. On-the-job placements are considered on a case-by-case basis. Application for student teaching is due early in the semester PRIOR to the student teaching semester. Deadlines and forms are posted on the Minnesota State University, Mankato College of Education web site. Students enroll in the student teaching course for one concentration area at a time.
Seminar
Students must be concurrently registered for the seminar for the same concentration as their student teaching experience. Seminar classes meet weekly and constitute a separate, graded course from the student teaching experience.
- SPED 658 – Seminar: Current Issues & Trends EBD (3) or
- SPED 649 – Seminar: Current Issues and Trends LD (3)
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM
The Master of Science Degree allow students to pursue advanced study in special education. Credits earned as part of the licensure program may be applied to the MS degree. Students meeting the admission requirements may apply directly to the Masters of Science Degree program. Students accepted into the Grade Certification/Licensure Program may apply to the MS program after completion of 12 credits of special education core coursework.
MS Admission Requirements
• Minimum GPA of 3.2
• Bachelors Degree from an accredited university or college
• Completed Graduate Studies Application
• Official College Transcripts
Additional Expectations
• All work for a graduate degree must be completed within a six-year period.
• Students must complete all licensure course work including the student teaching requirements prior to enrollment in the Research Core Courses.
• Successful completion of the Research Core Courses is required for enrollment in the Capstone Project (SPED 694).
• All Masters Degree candidates must successfully complete the research requirements and the Capstone Project.
REQUIRED COURSES
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Masters Degree
Special Education Core Courses (27 credits)
• SPED 514 Literacy Methods for an Inclusive Classroom: Diverse Learners (4) or
SPED 511 Differentiation & Accommodation in an Inclusive Classroom: Diverse
Learners (4)
• SPED 619 – Education of Students with Mild Disabilities (4)
• SPED 639 – Transition Planning for Students with Mild Disabilities (3)
• SPED 645 – Formal and Informal Clinical Procedures (3)
• *SPED 646 – Instructional Interventions (4)
• *SPED 661 – Special Education Law (3)
• SPED 658 or 649– Seminar: Current Issues and Trends (3)
• SPED 667 or 648 – Graduate Student Teaching (3)
* No courses substitutions will be allowed for SPED 646 and 661.
Research Core Courses (7 credits)
Students must pass both Research Core Courses with a grade of C or higher to be allowed to register for the Capstone Project Course. The Research Core Courses must be taken in sequence.
• SPED 600 – Introduction to Educational Research (3) or SPED 603 -- Action Research
(3)
• SPED 610 – Using Educational Research (3)
• SPED 694 -- Preparing the Capstone (1)
Capstone Project (1 credit)
Completion of the Capstone Project may require multiple semesters to complete for a maximum of 3 semesters. Students must be registered for at least 1 SPED 694 credit for each semester.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM STRATEGIES
The Special Education certificate program in Inclusive Classroom Strategies is designed to provide general education teachers with the research-based strategies necessary to enable special needs learners to succeed in a general education classroom. These strategies will enable classroom teachers to differentiate their curriculum to meet the needs of following populations: (a) students with emotional/behavioral disorders, (b) students with learning disabilities, and (c) other mild disabilities.
Required courses:
SPED 646 (4) Instructional Interventions
SPED 647 (3) Instructional Intervention Strategies for an Inclusive Classroom
SPED 614 (3) Teaching Literacy in an Inclusive Classroom.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
This 12 credit graduate program will lead to a certificate in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This certificate program is designed to better prepare teachers to teach children identified as being on the spectrum of autism, consult with parents and professionals in the field of autism, and provide leadership in the area of autism in public and private schools.
Courses Required:
- SPED 680 Characteristics and Assessment of Children with Autism
- SPED 681 Methods for students with autism spectrum disorders
- SPED 682 Methods for Students with Asperger ‘s Syndrome
- SPED 683 Trends in Services and Supports across the Lifespan
Course Descriptions
SPED 507 (3) The Special Education Learner in the Regular Classroom
This course prepares special education teachers to instruct learners with exceptional needs in a classroom environment shared with regular class students. It supports a team approach to instructional delivery, using assistive technology, accommodations and modifications, adapted curriculum and collaborative staffing.
SPED 508 (4) Individuals with Diverse and Exceptional Needs
This course is designed to provide an introduction and overview of the characteristics and educational needs of children and youth with diverse and exceptional needs in the public school. The course introduces Minnesota Graduation Standards Rules in relationship to the needs of students with diverse and exceptional needs.
SPED 509 (4) Learning and Human Development for Diverse Learners
This course is designed to introduce students to theories of learning and human development as they relate to regular and diverse learning populations. Students will acquire an understanding of the many factors that affect learning and human development and strategies that can be used to enhance learning for all learning populations.
SPED 510 (4) Assessment, Evaluation and Individualized Planning for Diverse Learners
This course will provide students with assessment skills and information. Emphasis will be placed on learning and administering a variety of norm-referenced and criterion reference test instruments and applying them appropriately.
SPED 511 (4) Differentiation & Accommodation in an Inclusive Classroom: Diverse Learners
This course is designed to describe and demonstrate strategies that teachers can use to differentiate the curriculum to meet the special learning needs of students in an inclusive classroom setting. This course will also examine the latest knowledge related to intelligence, creativity, holistic education, and classroom differentiation.
SPED 512 (4) Due Process, Planning & Design of the Individual Education Program
This course will provide students with knowledge and skills related to IEP's, alternative dispute process for the state of Minnesota, and legal issues and requirements.
SPED 513 (4) Advanced Pedagogy and Learning Theories
This course will introduce students to methods and strategies for personal and professional growth and development. Students will engage in reflective inquiry, identify professional dispositions, and describe environment effects on learning and human development.
SPED 514 (4) Literacy Methods for an Inclusive Classroom: Diverse Learners
This course is designed to provide an introduction to reading and language arts instruction for special needs and other students in an inclusive classroom. As a result of taking this course, students will be able to plan and implement effective literacy lessons and utilize a variety of differentiation strategies.
SPED 515 (3) Introduction to Talent Development
Introduction to the field of gifted education and talent development. Focus on History, Definitions, Practices, Characteristics, Needs, Special Populations, and Models.
SPED 520 (3) Education of Young Children with Exceptional Needs
Legal, historical, and foundational issues in the education of young children with disabilities as well as characteristics, service needs, and models of service for young children with disabilities with emphasis on young children with moderate/severe disabilities.
SPED 530 (3) Teaching Individuals with Physical and Multiple Disabilities
SPED 548 (4) Behavior Management and Learning Environments for Diverse Learners
Applied practical approaches to improve academic and personal social behavior of special needs students in general education and special education settings. Principles of applied behavior analysis including reduction and enhancement procedures will be explored.
SPED 590 (1-3) Workshop in Special Education
SPED 591 (1-2) In-Service: Special Education
SPED 600 (3) Introduction to Educational Research
Introduction to quantitative, qualitative, and action research methodologies as applied to educational research and evaluation. Development of skills for interpreting and evaluating published studies, for evaluating programs, and for developing original or secondary research plans using one or a combination of the three methodologies.
SPED 601 (3) Quantitative Research Methods
Focus in quantitative methods in educational research in applied educational settings.
SPED 602 (3) Qualitative Research Methods
Focus on qualitative methods in educational research in applied educational settings.
SPED 603 (3) Action Research in Education
This course will familiarize teachers with methods used in action research. Action research is a systematic observation of one's own teaching situation, environment, or pedagogical practice with the expectation that a new understanding will result in a plan of action that in turn, will ultimately lead to change.
SPED 605 (3) Intro to the Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
Current practices in the identification, placement, and education of exceptional children and youth. Emphasis on patterns of social, cognitive, language, and psychological development of exceptional children. Social, political, and economic advocacy issues.
SPED 606 (3) Creativity and Intelligence
Conceptions, foundations, theories, and practical applications of creativity and intelligence.
SPED 610 (3) Using Educational Research
This writing intensive course is designed to develop skills for the evaluation and critical consumption of education research for a variety of purposes. Prerequisite: SPED 600,603 or other comprehensive introduction to research course.
SPED 611 (3) Professional and Scholarly Writing and Planning in Education
Teaches objective academic writing and the basics of program and curriculum planning design.
SPED 614(3) Literacy Instruction for an Inclusive Classroom
This course covers strategies used to meet the literacy learning needs of all students within an inclusive classroom. Strategies will focus primarily on the special learning needs of students with EBD, LD and gifted learners.
SPED 619 (4) Education of Students with Mild Disabilities
History, theory, definitions, philosophies, programming models and service delivery trends for students with learning disabilities and/or emotional/behavioral disorders. Students will be exposed to specific techniques for teaching students with disabilities in inclusive settings.
SPED 621 (3) Assessment of Young Children with Exceptional Needs
SPED 622 (3) Working with Parents and Infants with Exceptional Needs
SPED 623 (3) Working with Young Children with Cognitive Delays
SPED 624 (2) Working with Young Children with Social/Emotional Delays
SPED 625 (2) Curr/Methods Working w/Young Children w/Development Needs Group Settings
SPED 626 (2) Organization and Administration of Special Education: Early Childhood
SPED 627 (1-8) Graduate Student Teaching: Early Childhood Special Education
SPED 630 (3) Emotional Intelligence and Learning
Teaching for wisdom, emotional IQ, and intrapersonal intelligence, as they relate to human potential, self-actualization, and learning.
SPED 635 (3) Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted, Talented, and Creative Individuals
Theory and practice for promoting healthy development of talented individuals.
SPED 638 (3) Curriculum & Instruction for Classroom Talent Development
Focus on high-end teaching and learning strategies from which all students can benefit. Emphasis on gifted education pedagogy in the general classroom.
SPED 639 (3) Transition Planning for Students with Mild Disabilities
In-depth examination of the problems, trends, and procedures used in planning career development, pre-vocational, and vocational programs for the mildly disabled. Program models, assessment, job analysis, placement, and employer-school relations are covered.
SPED 640 (2) Administration and Supervision of Special Education
Procedures in establishing and improving educational programs for exceptional children.
Prerequisite: SPED 4/548
SPED 641 (3) Advanced Differentiation of Curriculum and Instruction for Talent Development
Focus on development of differentiated curricular and instructional strategies, and programming options to promote optimal individual student growth and talent development. Multiple talent areas explored on a continuum of services.
SPED 642 (3) Programs, Systems, and Models in Gifted Education
In-depth examination of gifted education and talent development programs, their implementation, applications, benefits and weaknesses. Focus on standards of the field.
SPED 645 (3) Formal/Informal Clinical Procedures
Interpretation and implementation of psychological reports, formative and summative assessment data, enabling incorporation of relevant information/data into an evaluation report. Applied practical understanding, development, usage, and interpretation of information assessment tools determining identification and instructional design.
SPED 646 (4) Instructional Interventions
Pedagogy for teaching students with learning disabilities with an understanding of instructional theories and trends. Applications include sequences/adaptations of instruction/curriculum, technology integration, collaborative techniques, and meta-cognitive strategies. Focus is in reading, written language, and mathematics.
SPED 647 (3) Instructional Intervention Strategies for an Inclusive Classroom
This course is designed to teach advanced learning strategies that are appropriate for special needs learners in a general education classroom. This classroom will demonstrate how to differentiate the curriculum in an inclusive classroom setting.
SPED 648 (3) Graduate Student Teaching: Learning Disabilities
Field experiences in off-campus programs providing services to students with learning disabilities. Designed to professionalize the educational experience and ensure license standards competency. Must be taken with SPED 649. Prerequisite: All course work related to special ed licensure must be completed. Professor permission required.
SPED 649 (3) Seminar: Current Issues and Trends-Learning Disabilities
Summative conversations incorporating current issues and trends in the area of learning disabilities. Must be taken with SPED 648. Prerequisite: All course work related to special ed licensure must be completed. Professor permission required.
SPED 650 (3) Seminar in Talent Development
Examination of critical issues facing the field of gifted education and talent development while developing proposals for thesis or action research in this area.
SPED 651 (1-3) Practicum:
Professional experience in a field setting requiring reflection and analysis.
SPED 657 (4) Emotional/Behavior Disorders: Program Design and Implementation
The purpose of this course is the effective applications of procedures for teaching students with emotional/behavioral disorders in school settings. Students will build individual programs through the use of Functional Behavioral Assessments focusing on Positive Behavioral Supports.
SPED 658 (3) Seminar: Current Issues and Trends in E/BD
Review of theory, correct best practices, research trends, and issues relative to the delivery of educational services to students with emotional/behavioral disorders. Must be taken with SPED 667. Prerequisite: All course work related to special ed licensure must be completed. Professor permission required.
SPED 661 (3) Special Education Law
This graduate course is designed to assist educators to develop knowledge of the due process requirements outlined in Minnesota Rule and Statute as well as a working understanding of federal special education law under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Understanding the requirement of due process and federal special education law is critical in today's schools, both for teachers as well as administrators.
SPED 662 (3) Spirituality and Human Development in Education
Examines both sacred and secular views of spirituality and explores the nature of reality. Also examined are self-actualization, spiritual journey, human development, and education.
SPED 667 (3) Graduate Student Teaching: E/BD
Field experiences in off-campus programs providing services to students with learning disabilities. Designed to professionalize the educational experience and ensure license standards competency. Must be taken with SPED 658. Prerequisite: All course work related to special ed licensure must be completed. Professor permission required.
SPED 677 (1-3) Individual Study
SPED 680 (3) Characteristics and Assessment of Children with Autism
This class will take an in-depth look at the characteristics of children with autism as well as the historical treatment of these children. This class will look at current assessment methods used to develop education programs, and will also explore issues related to advocacy.
SPED 681 (3) Teaching Children with Autism: Planning & Intervention for Students with Autism
This course will focus primarily on educational program development for children with autism. Students will learn to build visual schedules and write social stories to affect the behavior of students with autism. Students will learn the importance of individualized program development and legal issues surrounding appropriate programming.
SPED 682 (1-3) Methods for Students with Asperger’s Syndrome
The purpose of this course is to provide parents, teachers, and caregivers of individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome with background, knowledge, and experience with the diagnosis and characteristics, assessments, functional analysis, various methods and practices, transition planning, support for families, and issues faced by adults with Asperger’s Syndrome.
SPED 683 (3) Trends in Services and Supports Across the Lifespan
One of four required courses for the certificate in ASD. This class will focus on current stressors affecting teachers, care givers, and family members dealing with issues related to Autism.
SPED 691 (1-3) In-Service
SPED 694 (1 ) Preparing the Capstone Project
Designed to assist student in preparation of their capstone project as part of their graduation requirements. In this experience, students receive one-on-one contact with their advisor.
SPED 699 (1-6) Thesis