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The College of St. Scholastica
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Amy Murzyn, Ed. D.
Program Director
Tower Hall, Room 3100
(218) 723-6110
amurzyn@css.edu

Special Education

Fast Facts: Special Education Minor

  • A Special Education minor gives students the opportunity to learn more about working with children with disabilities
  • Complements majors in fields outside of Education including Social Work, Psychology, Occupational and Physical Therapy and various fields focused on the human professions
  • 100% online format and course offerings in the summer
  •  Builds a solid foundation of disability law and educational policy specific to working with children with disabilities
  • Coursework is grounded in research and best practices and promotes collaboration to build reflective practitioners who work to facilitate inclusion as a way to meet the needs of academically and behaviourally diverse learners

Career opportunities

Special education isn't just a rewarding occupation; it's also in-demand. There is a nationwide shortage of special education teachers. The Executive Summary of the 2017 Report of Teacher Supply and Demand indicates "The number and percentage of students that qualify for special education services ... has increased in the last several years" and "Hiring officials predict that in the next five years the most difficult staff to hire will be special education teachers," demonstrating the need for licensed professionals in the field. A background in special education can support the early work of Speech and Language Clinicians, School Psychologists,  as well as interventionists and advocates.

Program requirements

Minor: 19 Credits*

Total field hours: 40

Courses in the Special Education minor are all online. Students will participate in fieldwork that will allow them to engage with teachers and students with disabilities through various observations and activities. 

*Requires time in the field.

Curriculum

Course Creation Center

Expand and Collapse Required Courses

Expand and Collapse EDU 3250 - Introduction to Special Education

Addresses teachers’ roles in educating children and youth with disabilities. Students examine the social construction of disability, disability legislation; rights and responsibilities of parents, educators, and students; and universal design for learning. Topics include historical and theoretical frameworks and legal mandates that have shaped the current field of special education, as well as the needs and characteristics of individuals with disabilities. This course contains a field requirement.

Expand and Collapse EDU 3630 - Collaboration Skills

Develops skills necessary for successfully communicating and collaborating with families, educators, related service providers and community resources specific to the programming needs of students with exceptionalities. Topics include ethics, knowledge and skills of collaboration, the application of collaboration for consultation, team membership, co-teaching, the supervision of paraprofessionals, and the impact of family and culture on communication and collaboration. This course contains a field requirement.

Expand and Collapse EDU 3640 - Behavior Theories, Analysis and Interventions

Focuses on the legal and ethical aspects of behavior management and positive behaviors and supports for students with disabilities. Students are prepared to conduct Functional Behavior Assessments and design and implement Behavior Intervention Plans that promote and enhance positive behavior. This course contains a field requirement.

Expand and Collapse EDU 3650 - Assessment Strategies for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities

Addresses the knowledge and skills related to assessment, evaluation, and eligibility for special education and related services of students with mild to moderate disabilities. Topics include norm referenced individualized test instruments, classroom based assessments, formal/informal assessments, basic statistics/measurement concepts, school-based definitions, criteria, characteristics and report writing. This course contains a field requirement.

Expand and Collapse EDU 3670 - Fundamental Characteristics of Mile/Moderate Disabilities

Develops a deeper understanding of skills and knowledge necessary for teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities. Topics include theories/practices for mild disabilities, support systems, current trends at local, state, national levels and impacts of culture, disability, and gender on identification.

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