Students willing to work with a broad spectrum of abilities can earn a Bachelor of
Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Special Education, choosing from either Interventionist
(K-8 & 6-12) or Comprehensive program (K-12).
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.
View more information about admission to the Teacher Education Program!
An undergraduate minor in Special Education is available.
Other programs in the department
Undergraduate
Other undergraduate majors offered in the Department of Elementary and Special Education
and leading to a B.S. include Early Childhood Education (grades Prek-3), Elementary Education (grades K-5) and Middle Level Education (grades 6-8).
Students wishing to teach in secondary schools must complete a major in the subject
they wish to teach and a minor in Secondary Education in the Womack Department of
Educational Leadership. Directed teaching and applying for and receiving teacher licensure
complete the preparation process.
Graduate
Graduate degrees available through the Department of Elementary and Special Education
include the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with programs of study in Special Education
with two concentrations: Comprehensive and Interventionist, Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Elementary School Education and a specialization in Initial Licensure, and Literacy
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Literacy Studies and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success are available in the College of Education.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) College of Education’s teacher licensure preparation programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and are eligible for accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Special Education, K-12 or K-8 interventionist or 6-12 interventionist programs at MTSU are designed to meet the licensure requirements set by the Tennessee Department of Education. Students should be aware that licensure requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. MTSU has not made a determination whether a specific program will meet all of the requirements of another US state or territory. MTSU recommends that students who plan to seek licensure outside the state of Tennessee contact the appropriate licensing agency and discuss their plans with their advisor. To obtain current information about each state’s and territory’s licensure requirements and any additional regulations, students should consult the US Department of Education’s website for state contacts at https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html.
Graduates of MTSU teacher education programs certified to teach in Tennessee are eligible for certification reciprocity in many states. Reciprocity is not an automatic or complete transfer of certification, thus individuals should consult the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) site at https://www.tn.gov/education/licensing.html and the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) site at https://www.nasdtec.net/page/Interstate as well as the US Department of Education state contacts site for information about any additional state requirements.
Special Education
SPED 3010 - Characteristics and Teaching of Learners with Exceptionalities
3 credit hours
An introduction to the exceptional learner. Examines the history, principles, and legal requirements as well as the diverse characteristics and learning styles of exceptional learners. Discusses differentiated teaching strategies in both inclusive and skill-based environments. Multicultural diversity, normalization, and integration addressed. (Required for all individuals who major in Special Education-Interventionist K-8, Special Education-Comprehensive, Elementary Education, and Middle Level Education for state licensure; and students seeking a minor in Special Education.
SPED 3020 - Responsive Teaching of Individuals with High Incidence Disabilities
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 3010. An in-depth study that focuses on the cognitive, academic, social, and emotional characteristics of learners with high incidence disabilities. Laws and regulations regarding Response to Intervention (RTI) and inclusive practices in the least restrictive environment (LRE) thoroughly discussed; development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) introduced. Differentiated instruction techniques offered for a variety of classroom settings.
SPED 3030 - Applied Adolescent Developmental Variation and Assessment of Individuals with High Incidence Disabil
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 3010. Comprehensive overview of the atypical development of students with high incidence disabilities. Topics include neurological impairment, behavioral development, medication side effects, physical characteristics and social relationships. Through application of knowledge, candidates will create a developmental profile after assessing a student in these areas: social, affective, biological, physical, and psychological.
SPED 3040 - Digital Tools and Methods in Flexible Learning Environments
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 3010. Focuses on Universal Design for Learning (UDL); assessing learning strengths, preferences, interests, and needs; and providing students with exceptionalities a variety of digital methods and tools that may be used to further their learning in flexible learning environments. Discusses a variety of digital, interactive tools that can be used for a whole inclusive class, small group, or one-on-one instruction.
SPED 3130 - Diversity in Language and Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 3010. (SPED 3010 cannot be taken concurrently with SPED 3130.) Examines language development from birth to adolescence and difficulties that can occur in individuals with exceptionalities. Strategies to overcome speech difficulties and language barrier deficits also discussed.
SPED 3430 - Characteristics of High Incidence Populations (Modified)
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 3010; major in Special Education or permission of department. In-depth study of characteristics, needs, and etiology of learners with high incidence disabilities in appropriate classroom settings.
SPED 3440 - Characteristics of Low Incidence Populations (Comprehensive)
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 3010; major in Special Education or permission of department. In-depth study of characteristics, needs, and etiology of learners with low incidence disabilities in appropriate classroom settings.
SPED 4000 - Teaching Diverse Learners in K-8 Classrooms, (Comprehensive)
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 3010 and SPED 3440 or permission of department. Develops strategies and methods for teaching reading, math, and writing skills to students with exceptionalities in grades K-8.
SPED 4010 - Explicit Reading Strategies for Learners with Exceptionalities
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 3010 or permission of department. Delves into the methods and materials used to remediate reading skill deficits in elementary and middle school settings. Basic diagnostic measures to assess reading progress examined as well as the etiology and implications of related theory and research.
SPED 4080 - Pre-Residency Comprehensive Integrated Clinical Experience
2 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program; SPED 3010. Field-based course that builds upon experiences begun in earlier required SPED courses. Implements content pedagogical strategies for students with severe disabilities in school or community settings.
SPED 4100 - Advanced Reading Strategies for Learners with Exceptionalities
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 3010, SPED 3020, and SPED 4010; admission to Teacher Education program. Focuses on advanced forms of assessment, data collection, and instruction. Discusses a variety of evidence-based programs that tailor to specific skill deficits as well as different tools and methods that may be used to monitor student progress. Candidates will determine when it is appropriate to modify student placement based on gathered evidence and observations.
SPED 4120 - Functional Skills Instruction
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program or permission of department; SPED 3010 and SPED 3440. Development of skills in planning and implementing programs for learners with low incidence disabilities including techniques and strategies in practical applications.
SPED 4140 - Techniques and Strategies for Instruction in Special Education (Comprehensive)
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program or permission of department; corequisite: SPED 4220. A practical application of techniques and strategies for teaching learners with low incidence disabilities. Includes teaching technique, theories and approaches, data collection, and environmental management.
SPED 4150 - Techniques, Methods, and Materials in Special Education (Modified)
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program; corequisite: SPED 4210. The practical application of special education techniques and methods for teaching learners with low incidence disabilities. Includes curriculum planning, methods and materials, data collection, and environmental management for learners with low incidence disabilities.
SPED 4160 - Educational Assessment of Exceptional Learners
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education; Residency I. Selection and administration of standardized tests and subtests for the specific purpose of planning an effective instructional program. Includes information gathering techniques, evaluation of this information in selection of tests, and interpretation of information and test scores.
SPED 4165 - Curriculum-Based Measurement and Progress Monitoring
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPED 4550; admission to Teacher Education program. Incorporates a theory-, practice-, and application-based conceptual framework that introduces regular progress monitoring strategies. Students will interpret standardized assessments, make educational decisions based on quantitative and qualitative data, and understand how to conduct curriculum-based assessment, instruction, accommodations, and monitoring student progress.
SPED 4170 - Strategic Teaching and Learning in Secondary Education (Modified)
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education program; SPED 3010 and SPED 3430. Learning strategies instruction and the use of content enhancement routines in inclusive settings with diverse learning populations. Includes metacognitive strategies, development, and application of strategic instruction.
SPED 4180 - Pre-residency Interventionist Integrated Clinical Experience
2 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 3010; admission to Teacher Education program. Field-based course which builds upon experiences begun in SPED 3010 and SPED 4380. Students will implement content pedagogical strategies into both inclusive and resource classroom settings.
SPED 4210 - Residency I, Interventionist Integrated Clinical Experience
5 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 4180; admission to Teacher Education. Corequisites: SPED 4100, SPED 4240, and SPED 4600. Participation in the resource room or inclusive classroom setting with students with mild disabilities. Weekly seminar attendance and participation required.
SPED 4220 - Residency I, Special Education - Comprehensive License
5 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program; SPED 4080. Participation in the self-contained or inclusive classroom setting with students with severe disabilities. Weekly seminar attendance and participation required.
SPED 4240 - Methods and Techniques of Behavior Management
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education or permission of department. An overview of various approaches to behavior management and their application in a variety of environments.
SPED 4250 - Education in the Affective Domain
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education program or permission of department; SPED 3010 and SPED 3430. Origins of emotional/social problems in learners with disabilities and strategies for promoting positive social/emotional outcomes for these learners in schools.
SPED 4260 - Problems in Special Education
1 to 3 credit hours
A problem-oriented course, on or off campus, planned and designed for individuals, a school faculty, school system, or other professional groups. Will provide opportunities for pre-or in-service education related to assessed needs.
SPED 4280 - Assistive Technology in Special Education
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 3010, SPED 3430 or SPED 3440, and admission to teacher education program or permission of department. Technology--low tech and high--and how it applies to the needs of school-aged learners with disabilities. Assessing and supporting these needs through the delivery of assistive technology.
SPED 4300 - Advanced Applied Behavioral Interventions and Supports
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 4240; admission to Teacher Education program. Study of modifying student behavior using techniques of applied behavior analysis in a variety of educational settings. Candidates will research and discuss multiple techniques that improve behaviors in various environments. Positive reinforcement; evidence-based, progress-monitoring tools; and assessment methods emphasized.
SPED 4320 - Residency II, Special Education-Comprehensive License
12 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 4220; permission of department. Full-day supervised teaching experience of 15 weeks duration in a public school setting. Pass/Fail.
SPED 4350 - Residency II, Interventionist Integrated Clinical Experience
12 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 4210; admission to Teacher Education program; permission of department. Full-day supervised teaching experience of 15 weeks duration in a public school setting. Pass/Fail.
SPED 4360 - Directed Teaching in Special Education (Speech and Hearing)
12 credit hours
Full-day supervised teaching experience of 15 weeks duration in a public school setting. Pass/Fail.
SPED 4370 - Transition Services and Education of Adolescents with Disabilities
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program or permission of department. Transition services and when and how they are provided for adolescents with disabilities. Transition assessment, planning, and goal setting discussed as well as a variety of transition services available to students both in and out of the classroom setting.
SPED 4380 - Co-teaching in Inclusive Classrooms
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education program or permission of department; SPED 3010. Collaborative and co-teaching models and how to implement them in the inclusive classroom. Emphasizes RTI, collaborative teaching, differentiated instruction, explicit teaching, the affective domain, and accommodations and modifications. Aspects of the CSEFEL model integrated throughout the course. Students develop an understanding of differing educational theories and expand upon them to create their own educational philosophies.
SPED 4510 - Teaching Internship, Special Education
9 credit hours
Supervised teaching available only for those with at least one year of paid teaching experience in the major in which endorsement is sought. Applicants must meet all prerequisites for student teaching in Special Education. Pass/Fail.
SPED 4550 - Data Literacy: Implementing Evidence-Based Prescriptive and Diagnostic Interventions for Struggling
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 3010 and SPED 3020; admission to Teacher Education program. Explores evidence-based practice and guides candidates in utilizing multiple avenues of diagnostic, prescriptive data in order to refine instruction, determine educational placement, and determine which evidence-based interventions are most appropriate to be implemented to meet specific skill deficits.
SPED 4600 - Math Interventions for Learners with Exceptionalities
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: MATH 1410 and MATH 1420. May be taken with SPED 4180. Transitions students from looking at whole group math instruction to intense intervention strategies in mathematics. Students will engage in diagnosis, remediation strategies, progress monitoring, and culminating assessments. Has a large field component integrated into SPED 4180.
SPED 4720 - Promoting Culture and Diversity in Family Professional Partnerships
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: SPED 3010; admission to Teacher Education program or permission of department. Understanding the various aspects of culture and diversity in meeting the needs of parents and families of children with special needs. Presents strategies and techniques for educators and professionals to collaborate and work effectively with parents and care providers.
SPED 4910 - Developmental Assessment
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program and Residency I. Corequisite: SPED 4220. A study of evaluative and diagnostic instruments and procedures used with Learners with Multiple Disabilities.
