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2012-2013 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Special Education (SPEC), B.S. with Teacher Licensure
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Program Outcomes for Special Education Major
The student will:
- Develop a motivation for life-long learning
- Attain basic skills essential for acquiring knowledge and solving problems
- Acquire knowledge leading to realization of individual potential
- Develop social competency and life skills
- Attain an understanding of, and contribute to, society’s values
Program Outcomes for Special Education Teacher Licensure
The candidate will:
- Understand the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects of development
- Understand and apply learning theories as they relate to a holistic curriculum
- Evaluate learning and behavior of students
- Identify classroom organization and management techniques to enhance learning
- Understand historical, social, cultural, and political forces influencing public education and the role of a teacher in the resulting issues
- Accrue and use in-depth knowledge of professional literature
- Become a lifelong independent learner and reflective practitioner
- Demonstrate responsibility, initiative and sensitivity in working with all children in education-related settings
- Teach all children effectively in a constructivist and collaborative manner using best practice
Undergraduate Teacher Licensure in Special Education
The Special Education teacher licensure program prepares candidates to teach children in grades K-12 with disabilities. Candidates who seek initial licensure in Special Education with a cross-endorsement in Elementary Education, will major in Special Education. This plan of study allows the candidate to teach in the general (grades 1-6) or special education classroom (K-12). It meets the requirements of the “No Child Left Behind” law (NCLB). To be considered highly qualified in elementary education content, candidates must pass Praxis II examinations in Elementary Education. Teacher candidates who plan to be recognized as highly qualified to teach middle or secondary special education must pass Praxis II in English, math or science.
The Connecticut State Department of Education requires that students be accepted into a teacher licensure program after having completed no more than two professional education courses. Prospective candidates work closely with University Advisement staff to follow procedures for acceptance to the School of Education, including the successful completion of the Praxis I requirement by the fall of the sophomore year.
The State of Connecticut regulates licensure requirements. Therefore, the University reserves the right to make changes as necessary to meet the Connecticut State Regulations for teacher licensure.
Admission Requirements for Special Education Major and acceptance to the Teacher Licensure Program
- Sophomore standing
- Sealed official transcript(s) of all undergraduate work
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67
- Declaration of the Special Education major
- Evidence of successful completion of the Praxis I test. Candidates are eligible for a waiver of the Praxis I test with a combined score of 1,000 or more on the SAT, if neither the math nor the verbal subtest scores below 400 points from any test administration on or prior to March 31, 1995; or a combined score of 1,100 or more, with no less than 450 on either the math or verbal subtest from test administrations on or after April 1, 1995
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s suitability as a prospective teacher. Recommendations must be obtained from individuals who are not family members or personal friends, or members of the School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph
- A well-written essay that describes reasons for wanting to enroll in the program and emphasizes experiences relevant to teaching. The essay should highlight people, places, and experiences with children and adolescents who have affected this decision
- A successful interview with an Education faculty team
- A planned program of course requirements completed with an assigned Special Education faculty advisor and signed by the licensure officer
Admission Procedure for the Special Education Major with Teacher Licensure
By April 1 of the sophomore year, the student must complete and file a declaration for the Special Education major with the assigned faculty advisor in the School of Education. (The declaration status of a transfer student will be determined when meeting with the University Advisement Office.) In addition, items 2 through 9 listed above must be completed by April 1 of the sophomore year. The applicant will then receive an acceptance letter from the Dean of the School of Education. Upon acceptance, the student is expected to maintain quality performance throughout the academic program, achieving no less than a 2.67 cumulative GPA and receiving no less than a C+ grade in Education and Special Education coursework, and required general education courses.
Candidates who complete the Special Education major with teacher licensure in Special Education at the University of Saint Joseph complete a carefully designed and supervised sequence of field work with children and youth beginning in the sophomore year and culminating with Coordinating Seminar in the senior year.
Sequence of the program: During the sophomore year candidates are introduced to programs for children and youth with a range of diverse disabilities, in a variety of settings that provide an array of services. Field assignments acquaint candidates with the characteristics of children who require special education and related services and the programs that serve them.
In the junior year, candidates participate in an intensive, carefully supervised program of pre-student teaching practica. For most candidates this program occurs on-site at The Gengras Center or in a public school. Junior year courses prepare candidates to meet the rigors of student teaching, with a focus on the development and implementation of instruction, accommodations, behavior/classroom management, and assessment to meet the multifaceted learning needs of children and youth with diverse abilities.
In the senior year, candidates preparing to teach are placed in public school programs for an intensive, full-time student teaching experience in Special Education and a field experience in general education during the fall semester. For most candidates, placements in both the special and general education classroom occur in the same building. This arrangement enables prospective teachers to develop a balanced perspective of children with and without disabilities and obtain licensure in Elementary Education as well as Special Education. During the second semester of the senior year, students take the Coordinating seminar.
Coursework for the Special Education degree with Special Education teacher licensure and cross endorsement in Elementary Education:
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1. Supporting coursework
General Education coursework (39) including a survey course in American History (3 Credits) and , or waiver. 2. Required courses and Plan of Study
3. Required courses for Special Education licensure
4. Required courses for cross endorsement in Elementary Education (Grades K-6)
Sophomore year
One additional child development course: Continuation Requirements for the Special Education Degree and the Teacher Licensure Program
Throughout the teacher licensure sequence, the department reserves the right to recommend withdrawal of any candidate demonstrating insufficient progress toward professional experiences and interpersonal relationships. Evidence of satisfactory progress may be manifested in the following acquisition of knowledge, skills, and dispositions as described in the School of Education Conceptual Framework and Statement of Candidate Dispositions:
- Critical thinking skills (e.g., the ability to analyze information)
- Capacity to form interpersonal relationships with colleagues and individuals that are characterized by sensitivity, mutual respect, constructive collaboration, and advocacy
- Responsibility as demonstrated in the timely completion of assignments, commitment to quality performance, and professional growth
- Commitment to the mission and philosophy of the department
- Achievement of grades of C+ or better in all EDUC, SPEC, and general education courses
- Continued minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67
- Achievement of a grade of B or better in Tuesday Experience
Requirements for application to Student Teach for the Special Education degree with Teacher Licensure
Only candidates who have been accepted into the Teacher Licensure Program (see Criteria for Admission) are eligible to apply for student teaching. Candidates who apply for student teaching will be evaluated by department faculty, who will consider:
- Academic proficiency as indicated by coursework. All general education and licensure courses must be successfully (C+ or better) completed prior to student teaching.
- Communication facility as reflected in oral and written expression and listening.
- Social sensitivity and skills as demonstrated by interactions with peers, children, and professionals.
An application to student teach may be obtained from the Office of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences and must be submitted by February 1 for fall placements and September 15 for spring placements.
- All applications and required forms may be found on the School of Education, Student Teaching website and must include:
- A copy of the candidate’s official letter of acceptance into the Teacher Licensure program.
- A copy of candidate’s Teacher Licensure Planned Program.
- An unofficial transcript with most recent semester’s grades showing completion of all required teacher licensure and general education coursework with a C+ or better, a 2.67 minimum cumulative GPA and a B or better in Tuesday Experience.
- A typed Student Information Form showing completed courses with grades, previous work, teaching and child-related experiences.
- A typed autobiographical essay related to the School of Education Conceptual Framework, no longer than two pages.
- A typed Field Experience form.
- A copy of Praxis II registration confirmation showing that the required licensure exams will be taken before student teaching begins. The Foundations of Reading may be taken after the student teaching experience. (Passing grades on all exams are required for licensure application.)
- Proof of fingerprinting at a regional educational service center (CREC, EASTCONN, ACES, etc.)
- Candidates must successfully complete the University of Saint Joseph Writing Portfolio prior to student teaching.
- Candidates must resolve all alert forms prior to student teaching.
- Candidates may not take any other courses while student teaching.
- The Field Study for Elementary cross endorsement must be taken in the same semester as Special Education student teaching.
- Candidates must attend all student teaching seminars.
- Candidates must attend an exit interview.
- Candidates must provide the Licensure Office copies of Praxis II, including sub-scores/ACTFL and Foundations of Reading Score Reports, as applicable to the program.
Comprehensive Exam requirements for completion of the Special Education degree with Teacher Licensure
During the winter intercession of senior year, candidate knowledge will be assessed in a written comprehensive examination. Successful completion of the examination is a requirement for conferral of the B.S. in Special Education. Teacher Licensure Program for Special Education License with Elementary Cross Endorsement
Upon completion of entrance requirements, the prescribed programs and exit requirements, candidates for Special Education (K-12) with cross-endorsement in Elementary Education (1-6) will be recommended to the State Department of Education for licensure. Exit from Teacher Licensure Program
A “Licensure Program Completer” is a person who has met all the requirements of a state-approved teacher preparation program. Program completers include all those who are documented as having met such requirements. Documentation may take the form of a degree, institutional certificate, program credential, transcript or other written proof of having met the program’s requirements. In applying this definition, the fact that an individual has or has not been recommended to the state for initial certification or licensure may not be used as a criterion for determining who is a program completer.
To be recommended to the Connecticut State Department of Education for licensure in Special Education with an Elementary Cross Endorsement, applicants must:
- Complete all program requirements for the major and for licensure, including the Connecticut State Department of Education requirements for coursework and student teaching
- Fulfill general education requirements and content with no grade lower than a C+
- Complete a successful student teaching experience with a grade of B or better
- Submit successful Praxis II test in Special Education 0543 and Praxis II tests in Elementary 5031 and 0622, and Foundations of Reading Test
- Show evidence of appropriate educator dispositions as defined by the School of Education Conceptual Framework and Student Teaching Evaluation Criteria
- Submit application for a teaching license to teacher licensure officer
Upon completion of entrance requirements, the prescribed programs and exit requirements, candidates will be recommended to the State Department of Education for licensure.
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