NSU Catalog 2022-2023 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
NSU Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


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Special Education (BSEd)

Location(s): Northern State University Campus



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.

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)

Coursework Required


Pre-Admission Field Experience


Pre-admission field experience (PAFE) taken concurrently with EPSY 302 on NSU campus:

The purpose of the pre-admission field experience is self-awareness, self-selection, professional selection, reflection, and goal setting. Students registered for EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology , will also enroll in EPSY 296 (PAFE) and will receive specific instructions for completion of the PAFE. Students must observe and assist a teacher for a minimum of two full school days (16 hours). Students will not be approved for admission to the teacher education program until this course is completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Students must have a minimum of 2.6 GPA for registration in EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology .

Pre-admission field experience (PAFE) when credit has already been received for EPSY 302 :

In cases where a student has previously earned credit for EPSY 302 , they may enroll in EPSY 296  if they:

  • Are a degree seeking education major at NSU.
  • Have a 2.6 cumulative GPA.
  • Completed EPSY 302  with a “C” or higher.
  • Can attend the face-to-face PAFE registration and placement meetings on NSU campus.

Teacher Education Information (Undergraduate)


A major focus for Northern State University is the preparation of professional educators.  The Millicent Atkins School of Education Teacher Education Program prepares teachers whose instructional decision making is based on current theory, research, and experience.  The School of Education offers bachelor’s degree programs in elementary education, K-12 education, and secondary education. 

Any student who plans to major in education at Northern State University must complete the system-wide core, institutional graduation, and degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education, including professional education courses and major and minor requirements as established for the appropriate discipline.  Students who successfully complete a teacher education program will be recommended for a teaching certificate issued by the state of South Dakota. 

All teacher education programs comply with certification requirements and have been approved by the SD Department of Education.  Students will complete content and pedagogy examinations at the achievement level set by the SD Department of Education. 

Accreditation

Northern State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the Teacher Education Program in the Millicent Atkins School of Education is accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).  The BME in Music Education is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

NOTE:


ELRN 535  and ELRN 585  may be taken in place of ELRN 435  and ELRN 485  if accepted into the accelerated MSEd Instructional Design in E-learning program and completed at least 90 credit hours of the undergraduate program.

Total: 80 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 found in the Academic Affairs Guideline 7.6.B.

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


Goal #4: Arts and Humanities (6 credits Baccalaureate [in two disciplines]/3 credits Associate)


Baccalaureate - Six (6) credits hours (in two disciplines).

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


Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy found in the Academic Affairs Guidelines 7.6.A.

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
  • 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 specific requirements for Elementary Education; K-12 Certification requirements for majors including Art, Health/Physical Education, Music, World Languages, and Special Education; and secondary education requirements for BSEd majors in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, and Social Sciences.

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120 CREDITS