Special Education Certificate, Online
The School of Education at Biola University offers an online institution-sponsored 12-unit certificate in Special Education which can be embedded into the Liberal Studies, Elementary Education major as a focused area of study.
This certificate will equip you as a school teacher to better serve special needs students in your classroom (the Teacher Preparation Program can be added to any major). Additionally, if you later desire to go into full-time special education, this certificate may provide a head start in your coursework. Candidates completing the Special Education Certificate coursework will enjoy 12 units of focused study in special education, including fieldwork in local schools and the development of competencies that assist you in working with student study teams, systematic data collection, objective reporting, and modification and accommodations to support students with mild to moderate learning disabilities in the regular classroom.
Focused Area of Study for Liberal Studies Majors
Every candidate in the Liberal Studies, Elementary Education major is required to select an approved 12 unit focused area of study from the following: Biology, Early Childhood, Human Development, Intercultural Studies, Mathematics, Physical Education, Spanish, Special Education, US History, Visual Arts, or World History.
The 12-unit special education certificate requires four courses:
LEDU 361 Issues in Special Education (3 units) This course provides a basic introduction to the history and educational philosophy of special education. It includes study of mild/moderate disabilities (specific learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, and emotional and behavioral disturbances). The course examines legal issues and laws pertaining to special education giving attention to school compliance and student and parent rights. Prerequisite: LEDU 301.
LEDU 362 Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners (3 units) This course introduces the types and uses of assessments to identify the strengths and needs of exceptional learners and evaluate results to develop meaningful educational practice. It provides knowledge and skills necessary for selecting, administering, interpreting and reporting results of tests related to cognitive, affective, psychomotor and social development. Emphasis will be given to translating assessment data into making informed educational decisions. Field-based experience required. Prerequisite: LEDU 301 and 361.
LEDU 363 Teaching Students with Mild Disabilities in Inclusive Settings (3 units) The focus of this course is to provide teacher candidates with knowledge of learning disabilities including definitions, causes, and characteristics of learning disabilities in children. The course will provide students with the knowledge and skills to make accommodations and modifications (including adaptations with technology) for individuals with mild to moderate disabilities. Particular emphasis will be given to working on Student Study Teams to design instruction to meet the individual needs of underperforming students, to making referrals with appropriate documentation, and to writing Individual Education Plans for students with identified learning disabilities. Field-based experience required. Prerequisite: LEDU 301 and 361.
LEDU 364 Behavior and Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs (3 units) This course focuses on principles and procedures for modifying behavior in the classroom with emphasis given to the identification of factors that contribute to behavioral problems, systematic data collection, objective reporting, and implementation of various methods of reinforcement. Prerequisite: LEDU 301 and 361.