NSU Catalog 2020-2021 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
NSU Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education (BSEd)


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Special education candidates fulfill requirements in general education and take the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) exam in their freshman year; they begin professional education coursework in their sophomore year. Special education candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.70 and a 2.70 GPA in the major. For more information regarding admission requirements and certification policies, see Teacher Education  in this catalog.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Special education professionals understand how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning and use this knowledge to provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
  • Special education professionals create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments so that individuals with exceptionalities become active and effective learners and develop emotional well-being, positive social interactions, and self-determination. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)
  • Special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning for individuals with exceptionalities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Special education professionals use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
  • Special education professionals select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Special education professionals use foundational knowledge of the field and their professional ethical principles and practice standards to inform special education practice, to engage in lifelong learning, and to advance the profession. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
  • Special education professionals collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)

Program Requirements


Total: 78 credits


General Education Requirements


Baccalaureate degrees - 30 credits

Associate degrees - 24 credits

Goal #1: Written Communication (6 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Student enrollment in the initial English course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).

Goal #2: Oral Communcation (3 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Goal #4: Arts and Humanities (6 credits Baccalaureate/3 credits Associate)


Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (AAC Guidelines 7.6).

Goal #6: Natural Sciences (6 credits Baccalaureate/3 Credits Associate)


Associate Degree Flexibility (3 credits)


Students have the flexibility to select an additional three credits from Goal #3, #4, or #6 with courses selected from different disciplinary prefixes.

Degree Requirements (BSEd and BME)


  • 3 credits
  • 3 credits
  • 3 credits
  • 3 credits
  • In addition to fulfilling all General Education Requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Education or Bachelor of Music Education degrees must take the professional education course work required for certification in the state of South Dakota. See Teacher Education and specific requirements for Elementary Education; and K-12 Certification requirements for majors including Art, Health/Physical Education, Music, World Languages, and Special Education. See Secondary Education for BSEd majors in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, and Mathematics. Of these requirements, EDFN 475 , satisfies the Human Values goal for all majors. BSEd Art Education majors are allowed to take EDFN 475  or ARTH 250  .

TOTAL DEGREE: 120 CREDITS


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