AUGUSTANA COLLEGE
ACADEMICS
SPECIAL EDUCATION

Through the Education Department, the Special Education major offers programs to prepare professionals for
work in the areas of learning disabilities, cognitive impairments and behavior disorders. Students are strongly
advised to combine a Special Education major with other areas of study through careful planning with an
academic advisor.

SPECIAL EDUCATION MAJOR: 28 credit hours

SPED 110 - Foundations of American Education (3 cr)
SPED 210 - Working with Families (2 cr)
SPED 230 - Intro to Developmental and Cognitive Impairments (3 cr)
SPED 250 - Intro to Troubled Children and Youth (3 cr)
SPED 260 - Intro to Learning and Language Disabilities (3 cr)
SPED 280 - Practicum-Children and Youth with Disabilities (3 cr)
SPED 310 - Assessment of Children and Youth with Disabilities (3 cr)
SPED 315 - Classroom Behavior and Group Management (2 cr)
SPED 320 - Consultation, Collaboration, and Communication (3 cr)

One of the following courses:

SPED 330 - Educ Children and Youth with Cognitive Impairments (3 cr)
SPED 350 - Reclaiming Troubled Children and Youth (3 cr)
SPED 360 - Educ Children and Youth w/ Learning and Lang Disabilities (3 cr)

Special Education Teacher Certification: 22-25 credit hours (in addition to the major)
It is recommended that students seeking special education teacher certification also major in elementary or secondary education.

SPED 301 - Curriculum and Inst. For Children w/ Disabilities (3 cr)
SPED 306 - Secondary Programs in Special Education (2 cr)
EDUC 355 - Human Relations in Education (3 cr)
NAST 320 - Native American Social Systems (3 cr)

One of the following Student Teaching courses: TBD

SPED 480 - Special Education – Emotional/Behavior Problems
SPED 481 - Special Education – Cognitive Impairments
SPED 484 - Special Education – Physical Disabilities
SPED 486 - Special Education – Learning Disabilities

Elementary certification candidates are also required to take:

EDUC 290 - Theory of Reading in the Elementary School (2 cr)
EDUC 325 - Teaching of Reading in the Elem & Midd Sch (3 cr)

Secondary certification candidates are also required to take:

EDUC 335 - Literacy in the Content Area (3 cr)
EDUC 345 - Adolescent Development (3 cr)

Educateur-Youth Worker Track: 32 credit hours
A Special Education major with an Educateur-Youth Worker concentration is designed for students preparing for work with youth with disabilities or at risk in residential child care settings, therapeutic camps, recreational programs, and community youth agencies.

SPED MAJOR REQUIREMENTS, PLUS:
SPED 350 - Reclaiming Troubled Children and Youth (3 cr)
SPED 395 - Internship (3 cr)
EDUC 345 - Adolescent Development (3 cr)
Electives from ART, HLTH, NAST, PE, PSYC, or SOCI (9-15 cr)
*To be selected in consultation with the department.

SPECIAL EDUCATION MINOR: 18-19 credit hours
This minor is intended as a support area for those teaching at the elementary or secondary level or in deaf/hard of
hearing settings or working in communication disorders or other human service professions.

SPED 110 - Foundations of American Education (3 cr)
SPED 230 - Intro to Developmental and Cognitive Impairments (3 cr)
SPED 250 - Intro to Troubled Children and Youth (3 cr)
SPED 260 - Intro to Learning and Language Disabilities (3 cr)
SPED 280 - Practicum-Children and Youth with Disabilities (3 cr)

One to Two Courses from the following electives:

CMDS 201 - Language Development (3 cr)
SPED 210 - Working with Families (2 cr)
EDHH 220 - Foundations in Deafness (3 cr)
EDHH 226 - American Sign Language I (3 cr)
SPED 306 - Secondary Programs in Special Education (2 cr)
SPED 315 - Classroom Behavior and Group Management (2 cr)
SPED 320 - Consultation, Collaboration, and Communication (3 cr)
SPED 330 - Educ Children and Youth with Cognitive Impairments (3 cr)
SPED 350 - Reclaiming Troubled Children and Youth (3 cr)
SPED 360 - Educ Children and Youth w/ Learning and Lang Disabilities (3 cr)

NOTE: For Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Communication Disorders candidates, required courses are the same for a Special Education minor, but the electives selected for the minor cannot include courses already required in their majors.

SPECIAL EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT: An endorsement in Special Education is available for those individuals who possess a current teaching license. Individuals interested should consult with the Education Department to determine the appropriate course of study.

SPECIAL EDUCATION COURSES:

SPED 110 - FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN EDUCATION (Area 3.3) (3 credits)
This introductory foundations course in education will examine the quest for equality of educational opportunity in today’s society. The school is seen as a social system, which transmits culture, encounters external forces, and fosters social change. Students explore the foregoing in relationship to the historical and philosophical roots of education in today’s democratic society. This course, intended for pre-service teachers, will explore the knowledge, skills and dispositions that effective teachers have while providing a comprehensive, foundational background of the education field and teaching as a profession. It will provide a knowledge base and begin the process of professional development for pre-service teachers. Course includes an early field experience.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH EDUC 110
OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER


SPED 210 - WORKING WITH FAMILIES
(2 credits)
This course reviews the literature and practice related to building partnerships with families and schools. Topics include: conferencing, parent education, special needs of families with children with disabilities, parental roles in ISFP and IEP planning, and school-home collaboration.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH EDUC 210
OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER

SPED 230 - INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS (3 credits)
This course introduces the field of Cognitive Impairments and discusses how the disability impacts the physical, educational, social and psychological development of individuals. Students will learn about related developmental disabilities including autism, fetal alcohol syndrome and cerebral palsy. It will also include medical aspects of the disabilities and an array of services needed across the life span of the individual to promote inclusion in schools and society. A field experience practicum is required.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

SPED 240 - TEACHING IN INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS (3 credits)
This course is required for all elementary and secondary education majors who do not have a major or minor in Special Education or Education of the Dear/Hard of Hearing. It provides information about the characteristics of students with disabilities, special and general education delivery models and making adaptations that support inclusion of students with disabilities in education settings. A 20-25 hour field experience is required.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER

SPED 250 - INTRODUCTION TO TROUBLED CHILDREN AND YOUTH (3 credits)
This course will discuss the social, behavioral, emotional and educational characteristics of children and adolescents who are experiencing conflict in home, school or community.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

SPED 260 - INTRODUCTION TO LEARNING AND LANGUAGE DISABILITIES (3 credits)
Students will study the cognitive, linguistic, social and educational characteristics of children and adolescents with specific learning disabilities. Included is an orientation to research-based teaching strategies and electronic practicum.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER

SPED 280 - PRACTICUM-CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES (3 credits)
This field experience requires 75 hours of observation and direct participation in a school or agency setting that serves children, adolescents or adults with disabilities. Students are required to reflect upon and document their experience through journals, case studies and artifacts. The practicum is supervised and requires pre-registration clearance. Grading System: S/U only.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY INTERIM

SPED 301 - CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES (3 credits)
Included in this course is a major study of planning and implementing instruction for students with mild and moderate disabilities. Techniques of instruction will be demonstrated and appropriate materials will be examined. Emphasis will be given to Individual Educational Program (IEP) development and implementation. It is suggested that this course be taken after at least one course in methodology.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

SPED 306 - SECONDARY PROGRAMS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (2 credits)
This course addresses the unique needs of secondary school students across the spectrum of disabilities and the special educator’s role in helping students make transition to independent adult living. Major course topics will include career/vocational assessment and curriculum, instructional models and best practices in transition planning and the coordination of school, community, family, and agency planning resources in developing IEP transition plans.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

SPED 310 - ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES (3 credits)
This course acquaints the special educator with the instruments and procedures used when identifying and evaluating students with disabilities. Topics will include test scores and statistical analysis; evaluating, selecting, administering , scoring and interpreting appropriate assessment instruments; and understanding legal and ethical standards of assessment. Students will focus on special procedures and requirements for complying with adaptations of standardized academic competency tests for students with disabilities.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: ADMISSION TO THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

SPED 315 - CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR AND GROUP MANAGEMENT (2 credits)
This course is a survey of the state of current knowledge about the creation and management of classroom environments to optimize achievement, responsibility and pro-social behavior. Included will be a study of the classroom as an interpersonal environment and available strategies for addressing individual and group behavior problems.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

SPED 320 - CONSULTATION, COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION (3 credits)
This course focuses on the teacher’s role as a consultant/collaborator that provides both direct and indirect service to students with disabilities. Major course topics will include consultation models, teaming the roles of administrators, related service providers and other adults. Also included will be topics such as supervising paraprofessionals, working with general education teachers in program evaluation and working within the school environment.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

SPED 330 - EDUCATING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS (3 credits)
This course will emphasize the instructional methods and techniques for managing challenging behaviors, specialized assessment tools and procedures, and collaboration used when teaching students with cognitive impairments in self-contained and inclusive settings. Major course topics will include autism, functional curriculum, assistive technology and development of IEP’s for students with cognitive impairments.
NOTE: OFFERED FALL SEMESTER, ODD YEARS

SPED 350 - RECLAIMING TROUBLED CHILDREN AND YOUTH (3 credits)
Principles and procedures for educating and treating children and adolescents with social, emotional, and behavioral problems. A comprehensive psycho educational approach to behavior management, crisis intervention and creating relationships and environments that foster the development of competent, caring individuals.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

SPED 360 - EDUCATING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH LEARNING AND LANGUAGE DISABILITIES (3 credits)
Emphasis will be given to diagnosis, intervention strategies, methods and management within educational programs for serving children and adolescents identified as having learning disabilities. Review of current research, literature and practices will be pursued to provide a perspective of the field for classroom teachers and special education personnel. Significant practice with research-based teaching strategies. Includes practicum.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

SPED 480-486 - STUDENT TEACHING: SPECIAL EDUCATION (TBD)
For students completing the major in an area of Special Education. Practical experience in the educational and other settings with children with disabilities representing the specialization of the student under the direction and supervision of qualified classroom teachers. Students also will participate in the Education Symposium Day. Students must be admitted to Teacher Education and have senior class standing in the major area. Grading System: S/U only.

SPED 480 - STUDENT TEACHING: SPECIAL EDUCATION (TBD)
Emotional/Behavior Problems
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER

SPED 481 - STUDENT TEACHING: SPECIAL EDUCATION (TBD)
Cognitive Impairments
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER

SPED 484 - STUDENT TEACHING: SPECIAL EDUCATION (TBD)
Physical Disabilities
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER

SPED 486 - STUDENT TEACHING: SPECIAL EDUCATION (TBD)
Learning Disabilities
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER

SPED 395, 495 - INTERNSHIP (3-6 credits)

SPED 199, 299, 399 - INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4 credits)
Special topics in all aspects of special education. Individual work in an on-campus or an off-campus project.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: SUFFICIENT BACKGROUND IN SPED AND CONSENT OF THE
DEPARTMENT CHAIR