Special Education, BS

A minimum of 121 semester hours is required for the BS degree:

• 43 – General Education Core Curriculum
• 51 – Major Requirements
• 27 – Teacher Education Core Requirements

EC-12 Special Education
The Special Education service delivery system in the Bachelor of Science program prepares preservice special education teachers to meet the needs of students with disabilities and their families, with an emphasis on the provision of services in inclusive environments.

Special Education students will demonstrate a depth of knowledge in the following domains:

• Understanding individuals with disabilities and evaluating their needs;
• Promoting student learning and development for individuals with disabilities;
• Promoting student achievement in English Language Arts and Reading and in Mathematics
• Foundations of special education and professional roles and responsibilities of the special education teacher; and will
• Effectively apply the competencies of a special education teacher in their clinical teaching experience.

The program is further guided by the broad standards shared by TEA and CEC. Students will also:

• Understand and apply knowledge of the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education;
• Apply knowledge of professional roles and responsibilities and adhere to legal and ethical requirements of the profession;
• Practice effective communication and collaboration;
• Understand and apply knowledge of the characteristics and needs of individuals with disabilities;
• Understand formal and informal assessment procedures and know how to evaluate student competencies to make instructional decisions;
• Understand and apply knowledge of procedures for planning instruction and managing teaching and learning environments;
• Understand and apply knowledge of issues and procedures for teaching appropriate student behavior and social skills;
• Understand assistive technology as defined by state and federal regulations;
• Understand and apply knowledge of transition issues and procedures across the life span;
• Promote students’ academic performance in all content areas by facilitating their achievement in a variety of settings and situations;
• Promote students’ performance in English language arts and reading; and
• Promote students’ performance in mathematics.