Bachelor of Science in Special Education
Saint Francis University
Key Information
Campus location
Loretto, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
Aug 2024
Scholarships
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Introduction
Earn a degree in Special Education from Saint Francis University
You will receive a B.S. Special Education degree that qualifies you to be recommended for PDE Special Education Certification PreK-12.
Whether you choose to work in early childhood, middle school, or secondary education setting, you will build age-appropriate skills in the areas of learning support, emotional support, life skills, and autistic support so you can help every child succeed.
Teaching Certification Exams and Requirements
An applicant for a teaching certificate must complete, in addition to all legal requirements, a program of teacher preparation approved by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education. Certification programs offered by Saint Francis University have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The PAPA, PECT, and Praxis Series provide tests and other services for Pennsylvania and other states to use as part of the teacher licensing and certification process.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that you pass basic skills testing to assess your ability in reading, writing, and mathematics by the end of your third semester.
You must then pass the PECT or Praxis II exams, which consist of multiple tests that measure your knowledge of your respective teaching discipline, before you may student teach.
Curriculum
Courses Required for the Major: (99 credits)
Major Requirements: 87 credits
- EDUC 150 - Educational Psychology
- EDUC 205 - Introduction to Special Education
- EDUC 212 - Introduction to Pedagogy
- EDUC 215 - Differentiated Instructional Practices
- EDUC 223 - Emergent Literacy and Language Development
- EDUC 225 - Assistive and Instructional Technology
- EDUC 231 - Child Growth and Development
Or PSYC 209 - Developmental Psychology - EDUC 240 - The Diverse Learner in Secondary Settings
- EDUC 250 - Family/Community Relations in Early Childhood Education
- EDUC 261 - Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom
- EDUC 305 - IEP Content and Secondary Transitions
- EDUC 315 - Positive Behavior Interventions in the Inclusive Setting
- EDUC 324 - Foundations of Reading
- EDUC 333 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas in Middle and High School
- EDUC 335 - Reading Strategies and Assessment
- EDUC 345 - Assessment
- EDUC 375 - An Inclusive Approach to Developmentally Appropriate Practices
- EDUC 401 - Teacher and the Law
- EDUC 405 - Low Incidence Disabilities
- EDUC 405L - Low Incidence Disabilities Lab (1 credit)
- EDUC 407 - Education Seminar: Teacher as Reflective Practitioner
- EDUC 415 - High Incidence Disabilities
- EDUC 420 - Autism Spectrum Disorders
- EDUC 431 - Early Childhood Methods I
- EDUC 433 - Special Education Methods
- EDUC 450 - Student Teaching
Collateral Requirements: 12 credits
- MATH 105 - Mathematical Content Knowledge for Teaching I
- MATH 106 - Mathematical Content Knowledge for Teaching II
- PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology
- WRIT 387 - Grammar and Editing
Program Outcome
- Content and Pedagogical Knowledge: Pre-service teachers will acquire knowledge of teaching content and pedagogy including understanding and knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice, teaching standards, varying forms of assessment, differentiated instruction, technology integration, state and federal mandates, behavior management, and implementation of best practices.
- Clinical Competence: Pre-service teachers will possess the ability to provide effective instruction to a diverse population of students. Students within the professional program will utilize assessment and observation to guide instructional practices. Graduates will possess the necessary content knowledge as well as clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities to provide appropriate instruction for all learners in an educational environment conducive of learning.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Pre-service teachers will possess interpersonal and communication skills including verbal, nonverbal, and written forms that result in effective information exchange with students, parents, administration, and colleagues.
- Professionalism: Graduates will demonstrate effective academic and professional skills, attributes, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to function as a practicing educator. Program completers will demonstrate qualities and characteristics as defined by the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) for recommendation for Level I teaching certification.
Career Opportunities
Employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for special education services and teachers should rise as children with disabilities are increasingly being identified earlier and enrolled in special education programs.
English Language Requirements
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