COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
SPECIAL EDUCATION
(SPE)

5403 Exceptional Children and Youth in the Schools
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An introduction to and survey of the field of special education for general and special education teachers and students in related fields of study. The course focuses on characteristics, etiology, definition, and prevalence of exceptional children; description of available services; field experiences. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)

5413 Children and Youth with Mental Retardation
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
This course presents the opportunity for special education teachers, counselors and students in related fields of study to acquire knowledge and skills associated with contemporary theories and practices used in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with mild-to-profound mental retardation in school and community settings. Trends and research in education of students with mental retardation are studied. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)

5433 Children and Youth with Behavior Disorders
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
Presents opportunities for general and special education teachers, counselors, and students in related fields of study to obtain an understanding of various theories and practices used in the identification, treatment, and education of behavior disorders. Research on the education of children and adolescents with behavior disorders, as well as practical implications for the classroom teacher and school counselor are emphasized. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)

5443 Conference and Consultative Skills in Special Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
This course presents the opportunity for general and special education teachers, counselors, and students in related fields of study to acquire knowledge and skill working with parents, teachers, and other professionals to optimize the educational and therapeutic experiences of exceptional children and youth. Students plan, implement, and evaluate a series of parent conferences, staff development, and consultative activities. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)

5453 Children and Youth with Learning Disabilities
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
This course presents a study of the incidence, prevalence, etiology, and characteristics of the student with learning disabilities (LD) for general and special education teachers, counselors and students in related fields. This relationship between LD, child development, school environment, and academic performance are studied. Emphasis is on a critical analysis of instruction and assessment techniques used with this population. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)

5503 Applied Behavior Analysis for Classroom Teachers and Counselors
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
This course presents principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis and classroom management for teachers, counselors, and students in related fields of study to facilitate the acquisition and improvement of social, academic, and life skills of children and youth with disabilities. Requires an applied project. (Formerly EDP 5423. Credit may not be earned for both EDP 5423 and SPE 5503.)

5513 Curriculum and Instructional Applications for Children and Youth in Special Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403, SPE 5533, or consent of instructor.
Provides the opportunity for general and special education teachers, counselors, and students in related fields to engage in the analysis of curriculum planning and implementation of a variety of instructional methods, procedures, and strategies appropriate for the implementation of mandated Individual Family Service Plans, Individual Education Programs, and Individual Transition Plans for children and youth with disabilities. (Formerly EDP 6203. Credit may not be earned for both SPE 5513 and EDP 6203.)

5523 Language Development and Cognitive Intervention for Individuals with Disabilities
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
This course provides an opportunity for general and special education teachers, counselors, and students in related fields of study to acquire knowledge and skills for assisting individuals identified as mildly to moderately disabled to achieve communicative competence through language acquisition and remedial and corrective interventions. Emphasis is on addressing the language and literacy development needs (listening, speaking, reading, writing, mathematics) of individuals with learning and behavior disabilities. (Formerly EDP 5463. Credit may not be earned for both SPE 5523 and EDP 5463.)

5533 Assessment and Evaluation of Children and Youth with Disabilities
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
Offers students in education, special education, counseling, and related fields of study the opportunity to developknowledge and skills in selection, administration, and interpretation of instruments and procedures to evaluate individuals with disabilities. Emphasis is on assessment techniques, instruments, and procedures relevant to the education of disabled children and youth. (Formerly EDP 5553. Credit may not be earned for both SPE 5533 and EDP 5553.)

5573 Behavior Analysis and Intervention for Children and Youth with Severe/Profound Disabilities
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: SPE 5403 or consent of instructor.
This course presents general and special education teachers, counselors, and students in other related fields, the opportunity to learn and apply principles and procedures of behavior analysis and intervention for the acquisition and improvement of skills by children and youth with severe and profound disabilities. An applied behavior analysis project is required. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)

5793 Practicum in Special Education: Children and Youth with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: SPE 5403 and consent of instructor.
This course focuses on the application of theoretical principles to field settings. Students are required to develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs for children and youth with mild-to-moderate disabilities. (Formerly EDP 5563 and EDP 5793. Credit may not be earned for both SPE 5793 and EDP 5563 or EDP 5793.)

5893 Practicum in Special Education: Behavior Disorders
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
This course focuses on the application of theoretical principles to field settings. The student works in educational settings to plan, implement, and evaluate appropriate experiences with children and youth exhibiting emotional and/or behavior disorders. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)

6953 Independent Study
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction a faculty member. The course is intended for students needing specialized work not normally, or not often available as part of the program's regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours, regardless of the discipline, will apply to the Master's degree.

6973 Special Problems
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An organized course that offers graduate students the opportunity to engage in specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the program's regular course offerings. Special Problems courses may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master's degree. (Credit cannot be earned for both a SPE course and an EDP course with the same number in an earlier catalog.)