About

Concentrations

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

  The number of children diagnosed with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome has increased drastically over the past decade. Consequently, there is an increasingly high-demand for professionals trained in educating children diagnosed with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. The Autism concentration is designed for those who seek additional expertise in this critical field. The concentration’s curriculum provides knowledge and skills for working with these students. Effective teaching methods, interventions, and support will also be emphasized.

• Collaborative Special Education Law and Process

  Special Education is a dynamic field, continually impacted by legislation, regulation and litigation. This concentration is designed for those interested in enhancing their proficiency in the procedural and substantive rules that guide the development and implementation of an appropriate education for students with disabilities. Leadership skills in areas such as collaboration, special education advocacy, IEP meeting facilitation, collaborative problem solving and dispute resolution will be emphasized.

• Multisensory Reading Instruction Level I

  It is estimated that up to 20% of school age children experience difficulty with some aspect of literacy. This course sequence gives teachers the necessary skills to provide direct instruction in a multisensory phonetic-based program to students with decoding deficits. With successful completion of the coursework, you'll be eligible for WILSON® Level 1 Certification. The Wilson Reading System® is recognized nationwide and is a highly desirable certification to have in Special Education.

• Technologies for Special Education

  Best practices in the education of students with disabilities require educational professionals to be proficient with a wide range of technologies. This concentration is designed for those seeking additional expertise in the area of educational technologies and assistive technology that can be used to create accessible learning opportunities and increased outcomes for students with disabilities.

• Customization

  If you already posses a special education certification or are not interested in obtaining a special education certification, but want to enhance your skills in specific special education topic areas, you may choose to take two of the concentrations (24 credits) and 18 credits of your choosing from the special education certification core in addition to completing the research courses.