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Nov 23, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Special Education (B.S.)
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Program Coordinator/Contact
Patrick Hales, Associate Professor, Assistant Director of K-12 Teacher Education
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 114
605-688-5039
Program Information
The Special Education major prepares students to develop skills and competencies required of effective K-12 special education teachers. Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, and mental abilities and neurodivergent students.
Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Accreditation
- South Dakota State University’s educator preparation programs are approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Elementary Education is a new major at SDSU starting in the 2023-2024 academic year. This program will be eligible for accreditation review in 2026.
- South Dakota Department of Education
Certification and Licensure
- Completion of an approved bachelor’s Special Education preparation program.
- Completion of an approved South Dakota Indian studies course.
- Pass the state designated content knowledge test.
- Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
- Completion of a Suicide Awareness and Prevention training, available free online through the South Dakota Department of Education.
- Apply online with the South Dakota Department of Education.
- Written recommendation from institution of higher education (SDSU) verifying program completion.
Course Delivery Format
Courses in Special Education are delivered face-to-face, online, and hybrid (face-to-face and online combination). All SPED courses have practical applications in field experience settings in K-12.
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Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Special Education major, students will be able to:
- Provide instruction that varies individually within and across cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas of development using a variety of instructional strategies, including using technology.
- Organize and plan systematic instruction based upon their knowledge of subject matter, children, the community, and curriculum goals.
- Create learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning, encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
- Demonstrate knowledge of neurodiversity and the barriers that impede learning.
- Encourage children’s development of critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving.
- Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques as well as instructional media and technology in fostering active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
- Implement formal and informal assessment strategies to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
- Adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities.
- Show evidence of ethical and professional behaviors and reflect upon and continuously evaluate the effect of their choices and actions on children, families, professionals in the learning community, and others, and will actively seek out opportunities to grow professionally.
- Foster relationships with school colleagues, families, and agencies in the larger community and will support a child’s learning and well-being while acting with integrity, fairness, and ethically.
Academic Requirements
- Entry into the major academic courses in all SPED program tracks include passing scores in Praxis I: Core Reading (140), Writing (150), and Math (132). Students will work their academic advisor for registering for the Praxis exams.
- A grade of “C” or better is required in CMST 101 , ENGL 101 , PSYC 101 , and MATH 103 or higher, and all courses for the major (classes with school/program prefix).
- An overall GPA of 2.5 is required to enroll in any education courses.
Requirements for Special Education Major: 120 Credits
System General Education Requirements
College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements
Electives
- Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.
Total Required Credits: 120
Notes
- Students will be required to pass the PRAXIS content and Principles of Teaching and Learning exams in order to be considered a Highly Qualified Teacher.
Summary of Program Requirements
Bachelor of Science
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| System General Education Requirements* |
31 Credit Hours |
| College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements |
4 Credit Hours |
| Major Requirements |
83 Credit Hours |
| Electives ** |
2 Credit Hours |
*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.
Academic Advising Guide Sheet
The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.
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