Jul 04, 2025

2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education Major, B.A.

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Special Education Major for Bachelor of Arts with Generalist Licensure Sequence

The Special Education Major is a course of study that will prepare candidates to meet the educational needs of children and adolescents with mild to severe disabilities. The curriculum incorporates the current approved statewide standards for teachers in Colorado/Special Education Generalist and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) International Standards for the Preparation and Certification of Special Education Teachers (2001). In addition to the special education core, all special education majors must complete a General Studies program and an education concentration in one of four areas of specialization: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, or Secondary Education. Students who choose the Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education options may be able to receive an additional endorsement in these areas and should consult with a special education advisor for more information about these endorsements. The Generalist licensure exam must be passed prior to state licensure.

Special Education Major with Generalist Licensure
Special Education Minor
Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Generalist Licensure
Alternative Licensure Program (ALP)

A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the Bachelor's degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

General Course Requirements

All special education majors must complete the General Course Requirements for candidates seeking licensure in early childhood, elementary, linguistically diverse or secondary education. In most cases, the courses satisfy MSU Denver’s General Studies requirements. These courses prepare candidates to pass the elementary content exam required of all special education candidates prior to recommendation for licensure.

Early Childhood, Elementary, or Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Education

All special education majors must complete the General Course Requirements for candidates seeking licensure in early childhood, elementary, culturally/linguistically diverse or secondary education. In most cases, the courses satisfy MSU Denver’s General Studies requirements. These courses prepare candidates to pass the elementary content exam required of all special education candidates. The special education content test must also be passed prior to recommendation for licensure.

ARTE 2060 - The Arts and Creative Thinking Credits: 3 *
ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments Credits: 3
ENG 1020 - Research and Argument Writing Credits: 3
ENG 2460 - Introduction to Children’s Literature for Non-English Majors Credits: 3
GEG 1000 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3 **
-or-
GEG 1920 - Concepts and Connections in Geography Credits: 3
HIS 1210 - American History to 1865 Credits: 3
-or-
HIS 1220 - American History since 1865 Credits: 3
MTH 1610 - Integrated Mathematics I Credits: 3
MTH 2620 - Integrated Mathematics II Credits: 3
PSY 1800 - Developmental Educational Psychology Credits: 3
SCI 2610 - Integrated Physical and Chemical Sciences Credits: 3
SCI 2600 - Integrated Biology and Earth Science Credits: 3
COMM 1010 - Presentational Speaking Credits: 3
-or-
COMM 1100 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credits: 3

Total Early Childhood, Elementary and Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Education: 36

*Only students seeking education licensure may use these courses to satisfy their General Studies requirements.

**Satisfies the General Studies Global Diversity requirement.

Secondary

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments Credits: 3
ENG 1020 - Research and Argument Writing Credits: 3
MTH 1610 - Integrated Mathematics I Credits: 3
MTH 2620 - Integrated Mathematics II Credits: 3
PSY 1800 - Developmental Educational Psychology Credits: 3
COMM 1010 - Presentational Speaking Credits: 3
XXX xxxx 6 credit hours of Arts and Humanities*
XXX xxxx 3 credit hours of Historical*
XXX xxxx 3 credit hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences I*
XXX xxxx 6 credit hours of Natural and Physical Sciences*

Total Secondary: 36

*Students should select a course that satisfies the General Studies Global Diversity requirement.

Degree Seeking Undergraduate Candidates Special Education Core

The special education curriculum is organized into sequences of course work that provide candidates with guidance in program planning. They are comprised of course clusters that candidates may take in any order; however, candidates may not select courses from a higher numbered sequence until the courses in the previous sequence are successfully taken.

Sequence I Courses

CLD 3510 - Perspectives in Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners Credits: 3
EDT 3010 - Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching Credits: 3
RDG 3111 - Emergent Literacy K-3 Credits: 3
SED 2200 - Diversity and Multicultural Education Credits: 3
SED 2700 - Social/Emotional Development and Disorders Credits: 3
SED 3600 - Exceptional Learners in the Classroom Credits: 3
SED 3650 - Individualized Education and Curriculum Credits: 3
SLHS 2890 - Language Acquisition Credits: 3

Subtotal Sequence I: 24

Sequence II Courses

SED 3675 - Transition Planning and Instruction Credits: 3
SED 3700 - Educational and Medical Aspects of Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 3750 - Assessment, Methods, and Assistive Technology for Severe Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 3820 - Elementary Literacy: Intervention and Instruction for Students with Diverse Learning Needs Credits: 3
SED 3950 - Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3

Subtotal Sequence II: 15

Sequence III Courses

SED 4050 - Assessment and Instructional Planning Credits: 3
SED 4200 - Reading Disabilities and Content Instruction Credits: 3
SED 4250 - Effective Behavioral Support Systems Credits: 3
SED 4300 - Assessment and Methods for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Credits: 3

Subtotal Sequence III: 12

Sequence IV Course

SED 4440 - K-12 Practicum in Special Education Credits: 3 or 6

Subtotal Sequence IV: 6

Sequence V Courses* - Student Teaching

Candidates must take 12 credits of student teaching, which may include either 12 credit hours of Special Education student teaching or 6 hours of Special Education and 6 hours of Elementary, Early Childhood or Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education student teaching. Students must consult with their advisor to identify the appropriate courses.

CLD 4590 - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: ESL Student Teaching and Seminar Credits: 6
ECE 4390 - Student Teaching and Seminar: Early Childhood (Preschool through Third Grade) Credits: 6,12
EDU 4190 - Elementary Student Teaching and Seminar: K-6 Credits: 6,12
SED 4490 - Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar Credits: 6 or 12

Subtotal Sequence V: 12

Total Special Education Core: 69

Note:

*Candidates who are not seeking licensure may substitute recommended electives for student teaching courses.

Education Concentrations

Degree seeking candidates majoring in Special Education must choose an Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Linguistically Diverse Education or Secondary Education concentration. The education concentration will allow the candidate to obtain content and experience in the regular education environment.

The courses for each concentration are as follows:

Option One:

Early Childhood Education Concentration

ECE 2100 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ECE 2310 - Families and Communities: Advocacy and the Law Credits: 3
ECE 2950 - Developmentally Effective Practice (DEP) I: The Intentional Preschool Teacher Credits: 3
ECE 3120 - Early Literacy Development: Birth to Age 5 Credits: 3
ECE 3140 - Math and Science: Birth to Age 5 Credits: 3
ECE 3350 - Documentation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ECE 4390 - Student Teaching and Seminar: Early Childhood (Preschool through Third Grade) Credits: 6,12 (credits counted above in major core)

Total: 18

Option Two:

Elementary Education Concentration

EDU 3550 - Teaching Elementary School Science and Health Credits: 3
EDU 3665 - Field Experience: Teaching Science, Health and Mathematics Credits: 1
EDU 3666 - Teaching Elementary School Mathematics Credits: 3
EDU 4011 - Teaching Elementary School Social Studies Credits: 3
EDU 4015 - Field Experience: Teaching Elementary School Social Studies Credits: 1
EDU 4190 - Elementary Student Teaching and Seminar: K-6 Credits: 6,12 (credits counted above in major core)
HIS 3425 - Colorado and the Nation Credits: 3
MTL 3600 - Mathematics of the Elementary Curriculum Credits: 3

Total: 17

Option Three:

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Concentration (CLD)

ANT 2330 - Cross-Cultural Communication Credits: 3
-or-
COMM 3000 - Diversity and Communication in the U.S. Credits: 3
CLD 2890 - Second Language Acquisition: K-12 Educational Implications Credits: 3
CLD 3290 - Literacy Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students K-12 Credits: 3
CLD 3310 - Integrated Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language Credits: 3
CLD 3910 - Assessment of English Language Learners Credits: 3
CLD 4590 - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: ESL Student Teaching and Seminar Credits: 6

Total: 15

Note:

*Other cultural/social knowledge courses may be substituted with and advisor’s approval.

Option Four:

Secondary Education Concentration

Students will choose 18 credit hours in any content area. In addition six hours of General Studies must be completed in the area of concentration. Twelve hours of student teaching will be required (SED 4500 or a combination of SED 4490 and SED 4500). Students must pass the content area exam to achieve the status of “highly qualified” special education instructor. Students who pursue this option must consult with an advisor in the content area, as well as a special education advisor to select appropriate course work.

Total: 18

SUMMARY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION MAJOR


Special Education Major with Early Childhood Education Concentration
General Studies Course Requirements	36
Special Education Core (includes 6 hours of special education student teaching)	69
Early Childhood Education Concentration	18
Total Program Hours	123

Special Education Major with Elementary Education Concentration
General Studies Course Requirements	36
Special Education Core (includes 6 hours of special education student teaching)	69
Elementary Education Concentration	17
Total Program Hours	122

Special Education Major with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Concentration
General Studies Course Requirements	36
Special Education Core (includes 6 hours of special education student teaching)	69
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Concentration	15
Total Program Hours	120

Special Education Major with Secondary Education Concentration
General Studies Course Requirements	36
Special Education Core (includes 12 hours of special education student teaching)	69
Content Area Courses	18
Total Program Hours	123

Alternative Licensure Program Special Education (ALP SED)

The Alternative Licensure Program Special Education (ALP SED) provides an alternative pathway to K-12 licensure as a Special Education Generalist. Courses required for this program are the same as those required for the post-baccalaureate licensure program for special education generalist.

To enroll in ALP SED, candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, meet the Colorado Department of Education requirements for undergraduate coursework in general studies for elementary education licensure, pass the Elementary Education content test (PLACE 01 or PRAXIS II 0014) and secure a special education teaching position with one of the participating metro-area school districts, charter schools, or accredited private schools. The program requires a two-week orientation before school begins, weekly classes for four semesters, a four-week practicum during the summer between years one and two.

ALP candidates who complete a total of 45 credit hours during the two years of the program, demonstrate proficiency on the Performance-Based Standards for Colorado Special Education Generalist, achieve a passing score on the PLACE Special Education content exam during the second year of the program and complete their district’s induction program will be recommended by their district for a Special Education Generalist license from the Colorado Department of Education.

ALP SED is operated out of the Metro South Campus Innovative & Lifelong Learning offices at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Suite 100. Call (303) 721-1313 for more information about the program or visit the website, msudenver.edu/alp.