Special Education (BSEd)

Location(s): Northern State University Campus

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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

IDL 190 - Seminar 1-3 credits (2 credits required)
EDER 415 - Educational Assessment 2 credits
EDFN 102 - Introduction to Education 3 credits
EDFN 440 - Classroom Management 2 credits
EDFN 445 - Methods of Teaching English and Academic Content to English Learners 3 credits
EDFN 472 - School Law and Ethics for Educators 2 credits
ELED 330 - K-8 Math Methods 3 credits
ELED 395 - Practicum 1-2 credits (1 credit for this program)
ELED 440 - K-8 Language Arts Methods 3 credits
ELRN 435 - Principles of Instructional Design 3 credits OR
ELRN 535 - Principles of Instructional Design 3 credits
ELRN 485 - Classroom Technology 3 credits OR
ELRN 585 - Classroom Technology 3 credits
EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology 3 credits
EPSY 296 - Field Experience 0-1 credits (0 credit)
EPSY 428 - Child and Adolescent Development 3 credits
GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography 3 credits
INED 411 - South Dakota Indian Studies 3 credits
MLED 480 - Middle Level Methods 2 credits
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy 2 credits
SPED 100 - Introduction to Persons with Exceptionalities 3 credits
SPED 210 - Teaching Students with Exceptionalities 3 credits
SPED 396 - Field Experience 1 credit (1 credit)
SPED 410 - Behavior Management of Exceptional Children 3 credits OR
SPED 510 - Behavior Management of Exceptional Children 3 credits
SPED 417 - Vocational-Transitional Programming 2-3 credits (2 credits) OR
SPED 517 - Vocational-Transitional Programming 2-3 credits (2 credits)
SPED 420 - K-12 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies 2-3 credits (3 credits) OR
SPED 520 - K-12 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies 3 credits
SPED 431 - Identification and Assessment in Special Education 2-3 credits (2 credits) OR
SPED 531 - Identification and Assessment in Special Education 2-3 credits (2 credits)
SPED 432 - Methods and Materials for LD K-12 2 credits
SPED 441 - Inclusive Methods for Diverse Learners 2 credits
SPED 460 - Family Systems and Professional Collaboration 2-3 credits (2 credits) OR
SPED 560 - Family Systems and Professional Collaboration 2-3 credits (2 credits)
SPED 470 - Educational Programming 2 credits
SPED 485 - Special Education Law 2 credits
SPED 488 - Student Teaching in Special Education 1-16 credits (8 credits for this program)
SPED 496 - Field Experience 1-12 credits (2 credits)

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 (30 credits)

Please see General Education & Degree Requirements for specific information about each SGR.

SGR #1 - 6 credits

ENGL 101 - Composition I 3 credits
ENGL 201 - Composition II 3 credits

SGR #2 - 3 credits

CMST 101 - Foundations of Communication 3 credits
CMST 215 - Public Speaking 3 credits
CMST 222 - Argumentation and Debate 3 credits

SGR #3 - 6 credits in two disciplines

Elementary and Special Education majors must take GEOG 210 , POLS 100 , and HIST 151 or HIST 152 .

ANTH 210 - Cultural Anthropology 3 credits
CJUS 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 credits
CMST 201 - Interpersonal Communication 3 credits
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 credits
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 credits
GEOG 200 - Introduction to Human Geography 3 credits
GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography 3 credits
GEOG 212 - Geography of North America 3 credits
HIST 151 - United States History I 3 credits
HIST 152 - United States History II 3 credits
HIST 256 - World History 3 credits
POLS 100 - American Government 3 credits
POLS 210 - State and Local Government 3 credits
POLS 250 - Introduction to International Relations 3 credits
PSYC 101 - General Psychology 3 credits
SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology 3 credits
SOC 150 - Social Problems 3 credits
SOC 250 - Courtship and Marriage 3 credits

Degree Requirements (BSEd and BME)

EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology 3 credits
EPSY 428 - Child and Adolescent Development 3 credits
INED 411 - South Dakota Indian Studies 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.