Minor in Special Education
Overview
Students must complete 24 credits to receive a Special Education minor. A minimum of 9 credits must also be unique to the minor (not counted toward any other requirements, including minoring in the same department as the major).
The Special Education minor meets part of the requirements for the California Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Teaching Credential (Mild to Moderate Support Needs). The Special Education minor also meets the Intern Eligibility requirement with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the California Preliminary Education Specialist Intern Credential and Multiple or Single Subject Intern Credential upon degree conferral. This minor is open only to students who will complete the fieldwork practicum requirements as placed and in California. Students must consult an advisor in the School of Education.
Courses
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Behavioral Science Coursework
| PSYC 200 | Introduction to Psychology |
| A survey of psychology as an empirical/behavioral science with a consideration of underlying philosophical bases in light of a Christian worldview. Topics to be surveyed include development, cognition, learning, motivation, physiology, socialization, personality and psychopathology. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Behavioral Science credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
Teacher Preparation Coursework
Students must choose from the following options. View the academic catalog for specific details on requirements.
| LEDU 301 | Introduction to Teaching |
This course examines the structure and function of the school, foundations of education, qualities required for teacher effectiveness, and contemporary issues in education. Successful completion of this course constitutes one of the requirements for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program. CBEST must be taken or basic skills requirement met during this course for acceptance to a credential program. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 25-hour fieldwork practicum component is required. Notes: Special approval required. Must submit Certificate of Clearance forms and valid negative TB test results. Credential candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B-" or higher. Grade Mode: A. | |
| LEDU 330 | Psychological Foundations of Education |
| Application of psychological principles to the education process, role of the teacher and learner, human growth and development, learning styles, motivation, memory, transfer of learning, measurement and evaluation, research and experimentation in learning theory. Notes: Special approval required. Restricted to formal application and acceptance to the School of Education. Credential candidates must pass this course with a "B-" or higher. This course is designed to fulfill the University's writing competency requirement for credential students. Grade Mode: A. | |
| LEDU 341 | Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students |
Survey of the theories, programs, and instructional practices for English language development, including first and second language acquisition and individual factors affecting language acquisition. Strategies for the application of theory to classroom practice and instruction in content area literacy are emphasized. Principles of educational equity, diversity, and cultural and linguistic responsiveness are examined. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 10-hour fieldwork practicum component is required. Notes: Credential candidates must pass this course with a "B-" or higher. Valid Certificate of Clearance and negative TB test results required for fieldwork. CalTPA #1. Grade Mode: A. | |
| LEDU 420 | Elementary Reading/Language Arts |
| Methods and materials for teaching reading to students in elementary schools; attention to a variety of approaches and techniques; consideration of the needs of pupils with varied cultural and language backgrounds. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 35-hour fieldwork practicum component is required. Notes: Credential candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B-" or higher. Valid Certificate of Clearance and negative TB test results required for fieldwork. CalTPA #2. Grade Mode: A. | |
| LEDU 425 | Secondary Content Area Reading |
| Methods and materials for teaching reading through content areas in secondary schools; attention to reading techniques, testing, and individualization. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 35-hour fieldwork practicum component is required. Notes: Credential candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B-" or higher. Valid Certificate of Clearance and negative TB test results required for fieldwork. CalTPA #2. Grade Mode: A. | |
Special Education Coursework
Students must choose from the following options. View the academic catalog for specific details on requirements.
| LEDU 361 | Issues in Special Education |
| 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. Notes: Education Specialist Credential and Certificate candidates must pass with a grade of "B-" or higher. Grade Mode: A. | |
| LEDU 362 | Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners |
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. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 10-hour field practicum component is required. Notes:Education Specialist Credential and Certificate candidates must pass with a grade of "B-" or higher. Valid Certificate of Clearance and negative TB test results required for fieldwork. Grade Mode: A. | |
| LEDU 363 | Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs in Inclusive Settings |
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. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 10-hour field practicum component is required. | |
| LEDU 364 | Behavior and Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs |
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. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 10-hour field practicum component is required. Notes: Education Specialist Credential and Certificate candidates must pass with a grade of "B-" or higher. Valid Certificate of Clearance and negative TB test results required for fieldwork. Grade Mode: A. | |
| LEDU 369 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders |
This course offers an overview of student characteristics, theory and teaching applications for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Major theories, teaching approaches, trends, etiological and diagnostic issues, classroom structure and environmental arrangements, research based instructional strategies, and family involvement will be discussed. Lecture/Lab Hours: A 10-hour field practicum component is required. Notes: Education Specialist Credential and Certificate candidates must pass with a grade of "B-" or higher. Valid Certificate of Clearance and negative TB test results required for fieldwork. Grade Mode: A. | |