College of Education

Undergraduate Special Education Major

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Faculty

Elementary Teacher Certification (Special Education Endorsement)

During 2007-08, the Michigan State Board of Education approved new standards. Prospective elementary candidates who wish to earn a special education endorsement will need to meet with advisors in the Comprehensive Science and Arts for Teaching (CSAT) Major and in the College of Education to plan their course of study.

Michigan elementary teacher certification with special education endorsements allows the holder to teach the special education endorsement areas in kindergarten through twelfth grade (cognitive impairment to age 26). It also permits teaching any subject in kindergarten through fifth grade or any subject in kindergarten through eighth grade in self-contained classrooms.

In addition to degree requirements, special education candidates must complete the CSAT Major, Special Education Major, special education core curriculum, and requirements for two endorsements. Prior to beginning in the College of Education, students are expected to complete all courses in general education and the major (except SAT 495). In addition, they must complete EDF 315, PSY 325, PSY 304, PSY 310 and/or PSY 326.

Steps to declaring special education major


Program Requirements 

1. Requirements for the Comprehensive Science and Arts for Teaching (CSAT) Major

The 46-credit CSAT major must be planned with the student’s CSAT advisor. It consists of the following courses:

Language Arts

  • ENG 302 - Introduction to Language Arts: Teaching Writing & Children's Literature Credits: 3
  • ENG 400 - Language Arts for Teaching Credits: 3
  • ENG 308 - Teaching Reading: The Necessary Skills Credits: 4

Mathematics

  • MTH 221 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I Credits: 4
      AND
    MTH 222 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II Credits: 3
    ;
    OR
  • MTH 223 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers III Credits: 5

Social Studies

  • SST 309 - Social Studies for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3

    Select one course from:
  • HST 203 - World History to 1500 A.D. Credits: 3
  • HST 204 - World History since 1500 Credits: 3
  • HST 205 - American History to 1877 Credits: 3
  • HST 206 - American History since 1877 Credits: 3

Integrated Science

  • SCI 225 - Integrated Life Science for K-8 Teachers Credits: 4
  • SCI 226 - Integrated Physical Science for K-8 Teachers Credits: 3

World Languages

  • ENG 467 - Language Disorders and English Literacy Credits: 3

Fine Arts

  • MAT 300 - Music Art & Theatre for Elementary Education Credits: 3

Health and Physical Education

  • PED 265 - Teaching Health in Elementary Schools Credits: 2
  • PED 266 - Move-Dance-Learn! PE and Dance for Elementary Ed Credits: 2

Foundations

  • PSY 301 - Child Development Credits: 3

Capstone

  • SAT 495 - Teaching Sciences and Arts in Elementary Classrooms Credits: 3

2. Requirements for Special Education Major

Prior to admission to Undergraduate Teacher Education (12/15 credits) 

  • EDF 315 - Diverse Perspectives on Education Credits: 3
  • PSY 325 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
  • PSY 304 - The Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child Credits: 3
  • PSY 310 - Behavior Modification Credits: 3 AND/OR
  • PSY 326 - Mental Retardation Credits: 3

Candidates must complete the following special education major courses after admissions to the College of Education (27 credits)

  • EDF 310 - Organizing and Managing Classroom Environments Credits: 3
  • EDR 320 - Reading: Assessment and Instruction Credits: 3
  • EDS 332 - Methods and Strategies of Special Education Teaching Credits: 5
  • EDI 430 - Student Teaching, Elementary Credits: 10
  • EDT 370 - Technology in Education Credits: 3
  • EDF 485 - The Context of Educational Issues Credits: 3

Requirements for the Core Curriculum in Special Education (9 credits)

  • EDS 360 - Language and Reading Development Credits: 3
  • EDS 361 - Principles, Processes, and Methods in Special Education Credits: 3
  • EDS 495 - Diagnostic and Interpretive Procedures Credits: 3

3. Requirements for Special Education Endorsements

  • Cognitive Impairment (CI)
  • Early Childhood - General and Special Education (ZS)
  • Emotional Impairment (EI)
  • Learning Disabilities (LD)

The following combinations are possible:

  • CI/EI
  • CI/ZS
  • CI/LD
  • EI/ZS
  • EI/LD

Cognitive Impairment (CI) (18 credits)

  • EDS 441 - Curriculum for CI Credits: 3
  • EDS 471 - Directed Teaching in Cognitive Impairment Credits: 9
  • EDS 497 - Educational Interventions: Cognitive Impairment Credits: 3
  • EDS 463 - Educational Practices and Procedures: Cognitive Impairment Credits: 3 (if CI is the second endorsement)

Emotional Impairment (EI) (18 credits)

  • EDS 442 - Curriculum for EI Credits: 3
  • EDS 472 - Directed Teaching in Emotional Impairment Credits: 9
  • EDS 498 - Educational Interventions: Emotional Impairment Credits: 3
  • EDS 464 - Educational Practices and Procedures: Emotional Impairment Credits: 3 (if EI is the second endorsement)

The following are taken in the graduate special education program as part of the initial Provisional Certificate:

Early Childhood (ZS) replaces the previous ZA/ECDD program reflecting new standards aprroved September 9, 2008. These standards reflect the knowledge and skills identified to teach children from birth to age 8 in general education settings, as well as significant knowledge and skills for teaching children with disabilities. The revised standards led to a new endorsement name, Early Childhood ZS (General and Special Education). This change in the endorsement was approved by the State Board of Education October 12, 2010.

With these new changes, student receives Early Childhood (ZS) approval and the Early Childhood ZS (General and Special Education) endorsement.

Do you have questions about the changes? Click here for FAQs

Students planning to complete the Master’s Degree will follow the new Early Childhood - General and Special Education (ZS) program. For more about the program, students should meet with their graduate advisor.

  • EDI 610 - Advanced Studies in Child Development Ages 0-8 Credits: 3
  • EDI 611 - Assessment of the Young School Child Credits: 3
  • EDI 612 - Curriculum Development for Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
  • EDI 613 - Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
  • EDI 614 - Infant and Toddler Development and Curriculum Credits: 3
  • EDS 646 - Counseling Parents Credits: 3
  • EDS 647 - Preschool Special Needs Child Credits: 3
  • EDS 685J - Practicum/Graduate Field Experience Special Education Credits: 3
  • EDI 685D - Practicum/Graduate Field Experience General Education Credits: 3

Learning Disabled (LD)

(The Following program is designed to provide a paid school year teaching internship).

Students planning to complete the Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities should meet with their graduate advisor for a planned program.

  • EDS 625 - Inclusive Practices Credits: 3
  • EDS 627 - Instructional Practices: Technology Credits: 3
  • EDS 629 - Transition Practices Credits: 3
  • EDS 636 - Diagnostic and Interpretative Procedures Credits: 3
  • EDS 637 - Instructional Practices: Learning Disabilities 1 Credits: 3
  • EDS 638 - Instructional Practices: Learning Disabilities 2 Credits: 3
  • EDS 640 - Diagnostic-Teaching Clinic Credits: 3
  • EDS 685 - Practicum/Graduate Field Experience Credits: 3 or 6


Resources