The minor in special education is designed to meet two broad goals:
1. To prepare regular education teachers to meet the needs of children with special needs in their classrooms, and
2. To begin the process of candidates becoming certified in LBS I at the master's level by offering undergraduates the opportunity to take classes that would result in advanced standing in the Aurora University Master of Arts in Special Education (M.A.S.E.).
Therefore, this minor will enable regular education teachers to enter the workforce with additional knowledge for the inclusive classroom. The minor will also allow undergraduates the potential to achieve advanced standing for a graduate degree (M.A.S.E.), which would carry an LBS I certification, complementary to their Elementary or Secondary classroom certification achieved with the B.A./B.S. Candidates should note that a maximum of 14 hours of advanced standing can be awarded. To become certified in LBS I at the undergraduate level, a candidate must major in special education. A final alternative for candidates is to take only three courses in special education, which will result in an undergraduate "concentration" but not a minor.
Academic Standards
Candidates should be aware that graduate school standards maintain that a grade of "C" or lower as being unacceptable academic performance. Graduate school expectations will apply to any undergraduate who elects to pursue this minor and who then plans to apply for advanced standing for a M.A.S.E. degree at a later date Coursework completed in the undergraduate courses that does not meet the standards of the graduate school may need to be repeated at the master's level at the discretion of the graduate school admission committee for special education.
Minor Requirements
Required Courses, totaling 12 hours:
PSY3350 Child and Adolescent Development (4)
SPED3120 Characteristics and Identification of Disabilities and the Law (4)
SPED4550 Reading Disabilities Theory and Interventions (4)
Electives open to candidates who are not majoring in special education. Select from the following courses, totaling a minimum of 6 hours:
SPED3200 Cognitive Development and Disabilities (2)
SPED3350WI Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Development: Promoting Prosocial Behavior (4)
SPED3500 Diversity and Disability Issues: Schools, Students, and Families (2)
SPED3650 Oral Language Development and Disorders (3)
SPED3750 Intervention Strategies for Problematic Behavior (3)
SPED3815 Strategies and Assistive Technology for Students with Low Incidence and Multiple Disabilities (3)
SPED3820 Psychoeducational Assessment of Students with Disabilities (4)
SPED4620 Trends: Collaboration, Differentiating Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom, and Transition (4)
Recommended courses for those individuals who plan to use the minor to augment employability immediately after the B.A. degree are those courses included in the special education endorsement.
Academic information on departmental websites reflects the university's most current curriculum. The print version of the catalog, which is also posted online, may differ from this information.
