Special Education, B.S.

The major in special education provides the student with a general education curriculum solidly grounded in the liberal arts and provides professional preparation leading to certification for grades K-12 in mild-moderate disabilities (cross-categorical), and an add-on elementary education certification (grades 1-6).

Program Approval

Students must apply for program approval during the second semester of their sophomore year, upon completing 45 hours. Transfer students apply for program approval in their second semester at Fontbonne University. Program approval is based upon the following criteria:

Completion of EDU 269 without conditions (or a transferred course equivalent);
Qualifying scores on the Missouri General Education Assessment;
Satisfactory completion of the program’s approved dispositional assessment
Successful performance of the essential functions of a major in the Education/Special Education Department
A cumulative, blended GPA of 3.00* for all professional coursework from all colleges/universities attended;
A cumulative, blended GPA of 2.75* from all colleges/universities attended;
Transfer students who have completed Introduction to Classroom Teaching (or equivalent) at another institution must complete a required zero-hour course: EDU 301 Teacher Education at Fontbonne University

*Content/professional courses must be graded courses; pass/fail grades are not accepted

Program Approval with Conditions

This designation is available on a one-time only, one-semester basis, and indicates that the student is deficient in one or more of the above categories. The student may continue to major in a certification program with conditions once, for one semester only. Students who do not eradicate all deficiencies will not be allowed to continue in a certification program, will not be admitted into the teacher certification, and therefore, will not be allowed to student teach.

Rejection for Program Approval

Students who show little or no capability to successfully complete requirements for a certification program in the department will be rejected for program approval, will not be allowed to enroll for additional education coursework in that major, and will be referred for career counseling pursuant to a change of major. A General Studies major with an emphasis in education (which does not lead to certification), could be an option for such students.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

The teacher candidate will show competence in the nine standards required of teachers in the State of Missouri.
The teacher candidate will model effective verbal, nonverbal, written, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom. 
The teacher candidate will demonstrate higher order and critical thinking skills as a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others.  This reflective practitioner actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally and utilizes the assessment and professional growth to generate more learning for more students.

General Education Requirements

General education requirements are presented in the General Education section in this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement in the major or a course requirement in another discipline.

While students must complete a full general education sequence, the following specific general education courses must be chosen to meet the requirements for this major:

BIO 108 - Introduction to Life Science with Lab Credit(s): 3
CIS 103 - Computer Technology: Applications for Educators Credit(s): 3
HST 105 - United States to 1865 Credit(s): 3
OR
HST 106 - United States History Since 1865 Credit(s): 3
PHY 108 - Introduction to Physical Science with Lab Credit(s): 3
PSY 200 - Developmental Psychology Credit(s): 3

Courses Required in the Major

EDU 241 - Critical Literacy for the 21st Century Learner Credit(s): 3
EDU 263 - Methods of Teaching Reading and Language Arts Credit(s): 6
EDU 268 - Introduction to Learner Development Credit(s): 3
EDU 269 - Critical Skills in the Teaching Profession with Field Experience Credit(s): 3
EDU 270 - Introduction to Learner Diversity Credit(s): 3
EDU 271 - Introduction to Content Planning, Delivery, and Assessment Credit(s): 3
EDU 306 - Analysis and Correction of Reading Difficulties Credit(s): 3
EDU 308 - Methods of Special Education I Credit(s): 3
EDU 309 - Methods of Special Education II Credit(s): 3
EDU 310 - Reading Methods Practicum-Elementary Credit(s): 3
EDU 314 - Practicum in Teaching Students with Disabilities Credit(s): 3
EDU 320 - Transition/Career Education and Family Partnerships Credit(s): 3
EDU 333 - Multi-sensory Methods for the Elementary Classroom Credit(s): 3
EDU 355 - Analysis and Correction of Math Difficulties Credit(s): 3
EDU 373 - Educating Toward A Global Perspective Credit(s): 3
EDU 392 - Assessment of Ability and Achievement Credit(s): 3
EDU 394 - Counseling Techniques Credit(s): 3
EDU 400 - Classroom/Behavior Management Techniques-Elementary/Special Education/Deaf Education Credit(s): 3
EDU 410 - Planning for Instruction and Assessment Credit(s): 3
EDU 450 - Student Teaching at the Elementary Level* Credit(s): 2-12 (2 credits/4 weeks)
EDU 455 - Student Teaching in Mild-Moderate Cross-Categorical Special Education* Credit(s): 2-12 (10 credits/12 weeks)

Courses Required in Other Disciplines

Students must select one course in Health or Nutrition and Wellness.
Students must select one course in mathematics in addition to the general education requirement. Students must complete MTH 104 and MTH 106 , unless transferring an approved mathematics course from another Institution. Students transferring a mathematics course will complete MTH 102 .

PSY 200 - Developmental Psychology Credit(s): 3
CDS 105 - Speech and Language Development of the Normal and Exceptional Child Credit(s): 3
MTH 350 - Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Early Childhood and Elementary School Credit(s): 3
BIO 370 - Teaching of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Credit(s): 3

Graduation Requirement

Students must complete one course in religion.

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